Crystal Lake Sequoia National Park
The cave is accessible only by guided tour but luckily tours generally run may november and it s easy to purchase affordable tickets.
Crystal lake sequoia national park. Crystal cave is located off the generals highway in sequoia national park between the ash mountain entrance and giant forest. Print pdf map share add to my list. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from july until. Stunning alpine scenery glacial cirques and seasonal wildflowers await hikers of the crystal lake trail in sequoia national park s mineral king valley.
Crystal cave in sequoia national park is a fun family friendly adventure. Deep in the backcountry of sequoia national park s mineral king area lies a pristine alpine lake surrounded by jagged high altitude peaks. Aptly named crystal lake this sparkling body of water is just a 4 5 mile hike from the sawtooth trailhead. Sequoia national park is an american national park in the southern sierra nevada east of visalia california the park was established on september 25 1890 to protect 404 064 acres 631 sq mi.
It then climbs steeply providing panoramic views of the southern part of the mineral king valley including white chief peak and farewell gap. This makes it an excellent choice for a day hike or an easy weekend backpacking trip ascending to nearly 11 000 feet above sea level at its. Encompassing a vertical relief of nearly 13 000 feet 4 000 m the park contains the highest point in the contiguous united states mount whitney. Sequoia parks conservancy sequoia parks conservancy is the official nonprofit partner of sequoia and kings canyon national parks working hand in hand with the national park service to support projects including trail improvements educational programs for the public and the protection of wildlife and their natural habitat.
The 4 9 mile route follows the monarch lake trail as it climbs through the monarch creek. There s a half mile hike required to get to the cave entrance the reward is well worth the scenic stroll. Crystal lake the trail to crystal lake 4 9 miles one way branches off of the monarch lakes trail at chihuahua bowl passing the remnants of the old chihuahua mine near the south rim.