White Chief Trail

The White Chief Trail leads along the western side of the Mineral King Valley to an abandoned mine site. The trail begins at the Eagle/Mosquito Trailhead and follows the same path as the Mosquito and Eagle Lakes Trails. Walk southward from the trailhead crossing the foot bridge over Crystal Creek. Follow the trail one mile ascending slowly through the valley. Close to the one mile mark the trail crosses Eagle Creek. Continue past this stream crossing to the fork in the trail.

Take the left side of the fork that continues along the same route following the western side of Mineral King Valley. The climb continues as you walk into the White Chief basin. Approximately one mile from the fork in the trail the path crosses a small stream. The Crabtree Cabin, built in the 1870s lies to the right of the trail shortly after this stream crossing. John Crabtree's ruined cabin is perhaps the oldest remaining structure in the Mineral King area.

The trail leads toward the eastern ridge of White Chief Peak, following White Chief Stream. As the trail enters the bowl below the peak you'll walk through a meadow and continue climbing. Before reaching the peak look for mine tailings on the mountain side. These are the remains of the abandoned and unprofitable White Chief Mine. The 4 mile one-way trail to the White Chief Bowl is a steep but scenic hike up the west side of the Mineral King Valley. There is a campsite at White Chief Bowl, but campfires are not permitted. It is best to carry water, as the purity of the lakes and streams along the trails cannot be guaranteed.

Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park, 47050 Generals Highway , Three Rivers, CA, 93271-9651, Phone: 559-565-3341, Fax: 559-565-3730, TTY: 559-565-3196