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Kearsarge Pass Trail
From Hwy. 395 in Independence, turn west on Market street and drive 13 miles to Onion Valley. Parking is limited, overflow parking is permitted on the south shoulder of Onion Valley road east of the parking area.
The Kearsarge Pass trail is extremely popular with day hikers as well as through hikers accessing the John Muir Trail. Bears are very active in this drainage, hikers camping on the east side of the pass are required to carry bear-resistant food canisters. More about bears
Begin hiking at the trailhead sign on the north end of the parking lot. Labor up a set of well graded switchbacks through manzanita and pines, reaching the waters of Independence Creek at 1 mile. Continue beside the creek to reach Little Pothole Lake ½ mile later. Another set of switchbacks lead to Gilbert Lake at 2.2 miles. Keep with the main trail to reach Flower Lake a short distance later. The trail then ascends up steep, rocky switchbacks gaining sight of aptly named Heart Lake at 3.5 miles. More switchbacks lead to Big Pothole Lake at 4.2 miles, and your first look at the pass ahead, at 4.8 miles.
The view from the pass is spectacular, looking down upon Bullfrog, and Kearsarge Lakes. University Peak is to your left and Mt. Gould to your right. Continue on over the pass for good camping and fishing at Charlotte Lake, just over 3 miles further in Sequoia / Kings National Park.
Maps -
John Muir Wilderness - Topo
Mt. Pinchot - 15 minute quad. - Topo
Kings Canyon High Country - 15 minute - Topo
Sequoia / Kings National Park - 15 minute -Topo
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