{"id":23532,"date":"2018-04-10T09:00:58","date_gmt":"2018-04-10T16:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/?p=23532"},"modified":"2025-08-14T11:55:21","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T18:55:21","slug":"hiking-monarch-lakes-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/hiking-monarch-lakes-california\/","title":{"rendered":"A COMPLETE GUIDE TO HIKING MONARCH LAKES IN CALIFORNIA"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sure, you\u2019ve heard about Yosemite, you\u2019ve seen countless pictures with crowds of happy hikers and tired tourists in that National Park. But what if I told you, you could escape the tourist trap, experience scenery just as incredible, be the only one on the hike, but still be in California?<\/span><\/p>\n

Sequoia National Park is located just South of Yosemite \u2013 it\u2019s the in-betweeny greeny bit on the map. I stumbled across the Monarch Lake Hike while attempting to find a camping spot one bright afternoon in Sequoia National Park. This hike takes the best part of a day, so if you\u2019re planning a road trip or an escape from the city and are fed up with the masses at Yosemite, then hiking in Sequoia National Park is for you!<\/span><\/p>\n

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HOW TO GET THERE<\/span><\/h3>\n

Simply pop \u2018Mineral King Ranger Station,\u2019 into your phone\/Sat Nav and set off; the road getting there is pretty hairy but if you\u2019re a serious road tripper it\u2019s nothing you can\u2019t handle. (Check the weather<\/a> before you go here as in snowy conditions I suspect there will be road closures).<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve navigated the horseshoe bends and reached the Ranger Station, park up anywhere in the surrounding area. Continue walking along the road until you reach a sign for \u2018Crystal Lake Trailhead.\u2019 (The Monarch Lakes Hike shares the route to Crystal Lakes, however the path to Crystal Lakes eventually closes). <\/span>Double check you\u2019ve packed your water because this hike is about to get alpine!<\/span><\/p>\n

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HOW TO HIKE MONARCH LAKES<\/span><\/h3>\n

The trail starts off pretty steep but that\u2019s okay, it just means you get better views quicker, right?! Eventually you will reach a junction where you follow signs for Sawtooth Pass and make your way up into Groundhog Meadow. Turn around and look back at that view because WOW \u2013 you just climbed that! We chose this spot for our first snack break, which turned into lunch part 1 of many.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Crossing the river (slightly challenging if balance is a struggle) continue along the path and into the pine forest. You will encounter never-ending switch backs throughout the forest trail and perhaps be greeted by a cheeky marmot or two. <\/span><\/p>\n

Keep ascending into the alpine making sure to stop for various photo (and snack!) opportunities \u2013 they won\u2019t be hard to come by! Sooner or later you will reach a signed junction for the Crystal Lakes Trail, but you are NOT following this path \u2013 instead bear left and continue towards the Sawtooth Path instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

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It was at this point where we encountered our first human sighting! We had almost forgotten we were in a National Park up until now and assumed we had been transported to the depths of the Swiss Alps. Always a happy hiker we made sure to exchange smiles and asked what lay in store for us further up the path. <\/span><\/p>\n

As you emerge from the forest, the trail leads to Chihuahua Bowl: a grey granite basin named after a mining region. Stop and see if you can spot any snow here! If the season permits, you may end up as lucky as us crossing snow covered sections of the path.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Look up because that\u2019s Sawtooth Pass! If you\u2019re an avid hiker maybe consider doing an overnight trip, camping in Groundhog Meadow to then ascend Sawtooth Peak<\/a> the next day. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, if this trail is ticking all your boxes, keep going- your almost there! Soon the path will meet a stream, follow it round, hop over some river crossings and be greeted by the sight of Lower Monarch Lake. Technically the maintained trail ends here, although I highly recommend making your way up the hillside towards Upper Monarch Lake for those glorious alpine views. <\/span>When you\u2019ve caught up on eating and photos, simply retrace your steps and return to the road.<\/span><\/p>\n

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WHERE TO STAY<\/span><\/h3>\n

You will need a permit<\/a> for any campgrounds along the trail. The night before we stayed outside Sequoia National Park at Horse Creek Campground<\/a>, merely because we had been on the road for weeks and were in need of a long nap. Horse Creek Campground was beautifully basic and whilst staying there we shared the lakeside views with only one other family.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The afternoon we completed Monarch Lake Hike we stayed at Cold Springs Campground<\/a>, which was even more beautifully basic than the night before (if possible!) and perfectly placed. <\/span><\/p>\n

If solar showers and compost toilets aren\u2019t your thing then look up the following:<\/span><\/p>\n