Backpacking Kearsarge Pass: Everything You Need to Know First

Kearsarges Lakes is a series of three lakes that sits at the base of Kearsarge Pinnacles, a series of 12 rock pillars and crags located within the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The lakes are in Kings Canyon National Park and are a popular destination for backpackers and day hikers. In order to reach the lakes, hikers must first reach the summit of Kearsarge Pass, which sits at 11,709 feet.

The trek up Kearsarge Pass is an absolutely breathtaking experience for more than just the views. The elevation gain and high altitude makes it a difficult hike even for experiences hikers. But the views along the way make the struggle well worth the effort. Hiking to the summit will takes hikers past five alpine lakes, with each one more beautiful than the next. This guide will share everything you need to know about this hike, what you should pack and how to prepare for the difficulty of the trail.

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Things to Know About This Hike

• This hike is not for the faint of heart or those without a lot of hiking experience. Hiking to nearly 12,000 feet of elevation will have an effect on most hikers, even those with a lot of experience. Knowing about altitude sickness, what to expect if it happens and how to treat it is extremely important. Almost every hiker I passed on trail was feeling the effects of the elevation on trail. Not only are you hiking to a high elevation, you’re gaining a lot of elevation at the same time.

• The hike is very exposed to the elements. There are patches of trees along the trail, but a majority of it is wide open and through rocky terrain. The best time to hike is in the morning if you can before the heat of the day hits or in the late afternoon when the sun has past the ridges to the west, leaving the canyon in the shade.

• Kearsarge Lakes sit within Kings Canyon National Park. You will need to obtain a backcountry permit to camp on this trail prior to hiking, which is explained below. Because the lake is within the national park, no dogs are allowed past Kearsarge Pass.

• Kearsarge Pass is a popular trail for PCT hikers to exit and resupply on trail. PCT stands for the Pacific Crest Trail, a hiking trail from Mexico to Canada. In early summer months you will pass PCT hikers coming and going from trail. Chances are they will be going at a fast pace as they put in many miles in a day, but don’t let them intimidate you if they seem to be flying up the trail. PCT hikers have a lot of miles already under their feet. Be aware of your surroundings and let them pass whenever you can. A lot of people take breaks at the top of the pass to to just catch their breath. It’s a fun spot to talk to your fellow hiker and learn where they are from. You may meet people from all over the world and on various journeys, so say hello.

• There is a small campground, Onion Valley, located next to the trailhead. You must have a reservation to camp here, but it is the perfect spot to sleep the night before beginning your hike if you can snag a spot. You can try to get a reservation here.

• There is a lot of bear activity in the area. Food must be stored in a bear vault while backpacking or day hiking. No food should be left in the car. Bears in California are known to break into vehicles to get to food. There are multiple bear vaults at the trailhead to store food not being taken on the hike as well as bear vaults at Onion Valley Campground for those camping there to day hike.

Leave No Trace Principles

Be sure to know and follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles on trail. It’s so important to help protect these beautiful places we love and enjoy. Make sure you know these principles before going out on a hike.

• Plan Ahead and Prepare: Always check for current weather updates and educate yourself on trail conditions prior to starting a hike. Look for recent reviews or call the local ranger station for up-to-date trail information like closures, recent wildlife and road conditions. 

• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stick to the trail. Avoid going off trail unless it’s to go to the bathroom. You can capture amazing photos from the trail. Do not cut switchbacks. Stepping off trail can cause years of damage with just one simple step. Camp in exciting campsites rather than over vegetation.  

• Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out all trash and food scraps. Never toss food items on the ground. It is harmful to the wildlife. Properly dispose of human waste by digging a cat hole at least 6 inches deep and burying human waste. Bring a wag back to pack it out in fragile alpine terrain. Never leave toilet paper or feminine hygiene products behind because they shouldn’t be disposed of on trail. Being a bag and pack them out to dispose of properly. Same goes for dog poop. Properly burry it or pack it back out to dispose of. Do not leave dog poop bags on the side of the trail. They are easy to forget, animals can get into them and other hikers don’t want to see them. 

• Leave What You Find: Do not take objects like plant off trail with you. Preserve nature by not marking on rocks or harming any natural objects. Never pick wildflowers. It is illegal in many states. 

• Minimize Campfire Impacts: Check and follow all local wildfire regulations. Use exciting fire rings and keep fires small. Put fires out properly by dousing will multiple gallons of water. Coals should be cool to the touch before walking away. 

• Respect Wildlife: Never touch, feed or approach wildlife. Give a minimum of 25 yards to all wildlife and a minimum or 100 yard for predators and larger wildlife. Wildlife are not like house pets. They can spook easily or feel threatened. Stay in your car if wildlife is near the road.

• Be Considerate of Others : Respect other hikers by allowing those that hike faster to pass. Uphill hikers have the right of way, so safely step aside for them to pass, unless they offer to stop first. Limit noise and use headphones. Keep groups under 8. Say hello to a fellow hiker!

Location

Kearsarge Lakes are located within the Sierra Nevada mountain range, just outside of Independence, California. The trailhead starts in the John Muir Wilderness area before crossing into Kings Canyon National Park. From Independence, turn up Onion Valley Road. The road begins at 3,930 feet of elevation and climbs all the way to roughly 9,600 feet. It is a windy road that goes up the steep mountain cliffs before ending at the trailhead. There is a large parking lot and bear vaults to store food not being taken on the hike.

If you researched a campsite at the trailhead prior, it is located just past the trailhead. It’s a great place to sleep the night before so you don’t have to drive in prior to starting your hike. You can look into booking a camp site here.

Best Time of Year to Go

Kearsarge Pass and lakes are located within the Sierra Nevada Mountains, which see substantial snowfall every year. The trail is accessible year-round, but winter months will see heavy snow on the trail. You should not attempt a winter hike here unless you have extensive winter backcountry experiences and avalanche training.

Summer and all months will usually have the best weather and less chance of encountering snow on trail, but it will depends on the previous winter. If it was a heavy snow year, there could be snow for the first few months of summer. I went the end of June and didn’t encounter any snow on trail but I’ve seen others go the same time in a heavy snow year and there’s plenty of snow left. If you want to know current trail conditions, call the Inyo National Forest ranger station.

Obtaining a Backcountry Permit

You do not need a permit if you wish to day hike any part of this trail, but you will need to obtain a backcountry permit if you wish to backpack anywhere along the trail or within the national park. Below I’ll share how to obtain a permit, including a link to the booking site.

Permits are released in two windows. The first 60% are available 6 months to the entry day you wish to start. If you wish to enter July 20th, 6 months to the day from then you’ll want to get onto the site at 7am to try and book your permit. The remaining 40% are released 2 weeks to the day in advance.

When you log into your recreation.gov account and go to the link below, you’ll want to follow these steps:

1. Enter overnight permits
2. Edit your desired date
3. Add group size
4. Scroll down until you see Kearsarge Pass. The number shown is how many per person permits are still available for any given day. If you find the day you want, with the correct number available, click the number and proceed to check out.

Permits and permit information is available online through recreation.gov, here.

Kearsarge Lakes Trail Info

Learn more about the trail through the AllTrails guide.

The trail starts with instant elevation gain and doesn’t stop until you reach the pass. The trail does have pockets of shade along the way, but it is mostly exposed. Starting early will help you avoid hiking this steep trail in the heat of the day, which in California is hot! Hiking to Kearsarge Pass is difficult because the trailhead starts at over 9,000ft. You will most likely feel the effects of the elevation so take your time and give your body breaks as needed.

The trail consists of endless switchbacks, but is an easy trail in terms of terain. There are a few areas where it gets flatter for a leg break as you approach Gilbert Lake. From there the trail continues to climb, so take breaks as needed. As you approach Heart Lake it appears like you could be nearing the summit of the pass.

Unfortunately you’ll pop out to a flat meadow area, but it is more of a false summit. You’ll have views of the final push up to the top of the pass. This section was the most exhausting and mental obstacle I faced. I was exhausted and feeling the elevation, but it could be partly because I was in my first trimester pregnant. My heart rate was fast, my breathing was heavy and the sun beams down on you the entire climb up.

Once you reach the summit of Kearsarge Pass there are plenty of large rocks to take a break on. There was a constant rotation of people resting up there when I made it to the top. Refuel with water and snacks as needed. Once you feel rested, the climb down to the lake feels like a lovely break in comparison to what you just did.

About a half mile down there is a junction to Kearsarge Lakes. The trail goes down the right side of the three lakes and there are multiple campsite options. There is a bear locker at the first campsite if you need one, but you should have a bear can with you as well. If the first site is taken, continue down the trail and find an already established campsite farther down.

When it’s time to hike back out, it will be a steep and tiring climb but compared to the trek to the top of the pass on the way in, it will be so much easier! You can see your end point the entire way and it’s less than a mile and a half depending on where you set up camp.

What to Bring

Backpacking Gear

If you are planning to backpack this trail, you will need to have the right backpacking gear and clothing. You can check out my backpacking gear guide, here, to learn more about what you need to take.

The 10 Essentials

No matter the length or difficulty of a hike, you should always carry a backpack with the 10 essentials. You can learn more about these item in my “The 10 Essentials” guide. This hike is a more difficult hike and if there were an emergency and you had to get help on trail you will want to have these items on hand. Plus you can always help a fellow hiker in need, so pack accordingly.

Bear Protection

There are bears in the area so you must go prepared to possibly encounter one. Carry bear spray and a bear canister to properly store your food and any scented items. If you do not own a bear can or want to buy one, you can often rent them from stores like REI.

Water and water filter 

This hike is strenuous and exposed. You will sweat and need to consume plenty of water. Carry a water bladder or water bottle to hold your water and a water filter to replenish your water supply. Plan to have one liter of water per 2 hours of hiking, but because this is a difficult hike, carry at least an extra .5 per two hours.

Hiking Shoes

Always wear proper shoes when hiking. This means trail runners or hiking boots because they will provide the best traction over rocks and loose terrain. If you’re backpacking, take a pair of camp sandals for when you get to the lake. I like these because they are lightweight to carry and easy to wear with socks.

Bug Spray

Hiking to an alpine lake always comes with mosquitoes. Hiking in the fall will reduce how many mosquitoes are at the lake, but there is always a mosquito presence, so go prepared. Carry bug spray for your clothes and skin. If it’s early in the summer season, consider extra clothing layers to keep them off your skin and a bug net for you head. I carry a bug bite thing in my first aid kit to help post bite.

Sun Protection

This trail has a lot of exposure an is at a higher elevation, leaving you more likely to sunburn. It was already extremely hot early morning when I backpacked in. Consider clothing that will cover your skin like a sun shirt, sun hats, sunglasses and anything else you prefer to use to protect you from harmful sun rays. Be sure to apply and reapply sunscreen as needed.

Hiking Poles

Hiking poles will be extremely helpful on this hike if you want to save your knees from the constant downhill stepping. They are also great for helping keep you balanced on uneven terrain. I always carry poles in my pack and find my knees hurt less when I use them. I love my collapsible Black Diamond poles because they are so compact in my backpack.

Technology

If you have the means, it’s so important to carry a satellite communications device with you into the backcountry. This will allow you to get ahold of emergency services should you need it but also communicate with friends or family off trail. I also use a Garmin watch to track mileage and elevation on the trail so I can properly determine where I am on the hike.

Backpacking Responsibly

What does this mean? It means follow the Leave No Trace Principles and limit your impact on the trail.

• Plan ahead and prepare. This means researching the area ahead of time, knowing the weather forecast and packing accordingly. Planning and preparing for a trip is important to keep you safe and allow you to enjoy your trip stress free.

• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces. This means finding a campsite where you can tell others have camp prior rather than finding a new campsite. Do not put your tent on vegetation or in meadows, causing harm to the plants. Be responsible in choosing a site and limit your footprint in the backcountry. Stay on trail and do not walk through sensitive environments, like meadows.

• Leave What You Find. Nature is amazing but belongs in nature. Do not pick wildflowers or bring home rocks or other items you may find. Do not mark on rocks or vandalize nature. 

• Dispose of Waste Properly. All garbage should be packed back out with you and disposed of properly at home. Bring a ziplock bag for toilet paper. Use a shovel to dig a cat hole and bury any human waste 6-8 inches underground or pack it out with you if that is not an option. Food items such as peels and nut shells should also be disposed of properly in a bag and taken back off trail with you.

• Respect Wildlife. Do not feed or approach any wildlife. Minimize your noise by not playing music outdoors. Know the wildlife for the area so you are prepared for encounters. Do not leave food or garbage accessible (bear bag hangs are best).

• Minimize Campfire Impacts. Always know the local guidelines for your area before starting a fire. Many locations do seasonal bans depending on the season. Use an existing fire ring whenever possible. If you must create a new ring, always clear the ground of all debris and use a location with minimal impact to the vegetation. Make sure your fire is completely out by dousing it in water multiple times and never throw garbage into the fire.

• Be Considerate of Other Visitors. Be aware of your noise levels and be sure to kindly share the trail. Know proper trail etiquette so everyone can enjoy their time outside in nature. Remember, others may be afraid of dogs or have allergies so keep you dog on leash or safely away from others.

Reminders

Know your limits and be okay with turning around, especially if you are hiking in summer months when it’s hot. If you’re showing signs of heat exhaustion, get into the shade and cool off asap. Consider going back to the trailhead. Altitude sickness is a very serious condition and can affect you on this trail. Know what to look for and how to respond if you show signs of altitude sickness.

Always practice Leave No Trace, especially in a fragile mountain terrain. Pack out all your trash, stay on trail to minimize your footprint. Properly bury or carry out all human waste.

Store all food properly at the trailhead and while on trail. Make sure of the storage lockers at the trailhead to keep any remaining food you aren’t taking on trail. Bears in California will break into your car. If you are backpacking, all food must be stored in a bear canister while on trail.

Kearsarge Lakes is one of the most beautiful alpine lakes areas, but it is a grueling hike to enjoy it’s beauty. If you decide to make this hike, take your time and know your limits. If you’re lucky enough to spend a night or two here be sure to respect the area and leave it better than you found it. Be sure to come back and leave a comment if you use this guide and share yoru experience!

Happy Hiking,

Elizabeth

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