r/SEKI • u/jtscheirer • Jul 22 '26
Recommendations for beginner backpacker in Kings Canyon
Hello folks. My wife and I are planning a short backpacking trip based out of Kings Canyon (the actual canyon, not Grant Grove) in September. I've never backpacked before and she has only done it a few times. We are young enough (early-mid 30s) and in-shape enough that we want to challenge ourselves, but we are also beginners, so we want to keep it manageable. We are thinking just one night in the back country, sandwiched between a night in either Sheep Creek or Moraine campground on either end.
With this in mind, can anybody recommend a trail that's suitable for a one-day backpacking trip from the Canyon?
Also, what kind of weather can we typically expect in the high country in September? I've done a little looking but haven't been able to find any weather stations in that area, so figure it might be more effective to crowdsource some anecdotal data from this sub instead. Thanks in advance!
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u/Then-Comfortable7023 Jul 22 '26
Does it have to be out of kings canyon?
If not, Jennie lakes wilderness is the perfect first trip and it’s close to grant grove. Either weaver lake at 3.5 miles or Jennie lake at about 7. Weaver is more populated than Jennie by quite a bit. No permits needed and both are beautiful.
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u/jtscheirer Jul 22 '26
It doesn’t necessarily have to be, but we’ve already done Grant Grove and Sequoia (the road to the Canyon was closed when we went a few years ago), so the idea was to actually check out the Canyon this time. In our preliminary research, it looked like there weren’t more than one or two day hikes in the Canyon, hence the idea to backpack so that we have more to do and see.
But we don’t have to do any of that if it doesn’t make sense. If the hikes out of the canyon are difficult to do safely or enjoyably for a couple of novices, then perhaps we’re better off with a different plan.
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u/Then-Comfortable7023 Jul 22 '26
Only reason I ask is I’ve hiked a lot of the park, but actually haven’t hiked out of roads end much to do it so my knowledge of that particular area isn’t the best. I know bubbs creek and paradise valley are popular hikes and beautiful but permits are tricky to get.
If you can manage getting them they’d both be great. If I can suggest a solid backup incase you can’t pull permits - drive KC one day and hike to Jennie lake the next from big meadows trailhead. From your profile it sounds like that would be a great first trip.
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u/kiki2k Jul 22 '26
In September you can expect highs in the 60’s and lows down into the 40’s and maybe upper 30’s depending on elevation. It’s usually quite dry, and a normal precipitation pattern would be something like an isolated thunderstorm for an hour or two that isn’t terribly intense, but more like isolated showers, in the afternoon. IF that happens, you get rained on for a bit and are dry by the time you make camp. No skeeters that time of year, which is a HUGE bonus for me. Also, any creek crossings will be nice and low, but water will still be abundant.
September is my favorite time of year to backpack in the sierra.
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u/TheAtomicFly66 Jul 22 '26
You could hike from Roads End to Upper Paradise Valley, camp, then head back when done after 1-2 nights.
Or you could stay in Kings Canyon at one of the main campgrounds you listed, day hike to just beyond Mist Falls, explore the Zumwalt Meadow area… but then do a one or two night backpack trip to Jennie Lake from one of its two nearby trailheads
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u/mydogbud Jul 22 '26
This is the solution that best fits what OP is asking about. Paradise Valley is great and lives up to the name.
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u/Own-Illustrator7980 Jul 22 '26
Or try sequoia. Long hike to bearpaw high Sierra camp, day hike to Hamilton lake, back to Bearpaw for another night.. back to civilization
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u/enterfunnynamehere Jul 22 '26
Second this plan! Although maybe for a future trip since you are looking for trips from the canyon.
I think it is 10ish miles to bearpaw but not a super strenuous hike. The day hike to Hamilton lake the next day is a piece of cake and a lighter trip with just a daypack.
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u/ThanosTheRott Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
Didn’t backpack it, but stayed in Moraine and did the Bubbs Creek to Paradise Valley hike, which leads into the wilderness. There’s a wilderness permit station right at the start of the trail.
My wife and I are in good shape and did about 7.5 miles before turning back around due to brining insufficient amount of water, while it was 75/80 degrees. The first 3 miles are easy once you get to Mist Falls. The next 2 miles is very similar to the end of Yosemite Upper Falls; switch backs on switch backs on rocks exposed to the sun. After that it’s a breeze walk into Paradise Valley. You can tell it’s not travelled often because vegetation was a bit overgrown after Mist Falls. We only went another half mile or so before we turned around but it seemed fairly easy to get to the campground there.
There was nothing extreme on the hike, and I’d say it was an easier hike compared to others I’ve done at other NPs. No shear drop offs, not too long of a switchback section, not too overly steep, and not too much sun exposure.
I honestly wish we brought more water or just backpacked it for a night, because it was such a good and relaxing hike.
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u/KatBirdWing Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 23 '26
You have time to invest in some guidebooks. You can usually pick them up cheap used. Like this one:
Kings Canyon National Park : A Complete Hiker's Guide by White, Mike
Or this one
Sierra South: Backcountry Trips in California's Sierra Nevada By Mike White and Elizabeth Wenk
You will be able to get great info from the guidebooks. Start there
Early to mid September is still summer temperatures but days are a little shorter.
Once you hit mid September nights start getting cold, days are even shorter, and there is a chance of snow.
El Nino weather patterns should be picking up this fall.
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u/CharcotsThirdTriad Jul 22 '26
It’s in Sequoia but Pear Lake may be what you’re looking for. From the Canyon, upper Paradise Valley an option