High Sierra Topix

Hello,

I am planning a 2N/3D trip out of Mineral King for two weeks. My dad suggested Hockett Meadow, and I was trying to make a loop out of it- Atwell/Hockett Trailhead, Hockett Meadow, over to Little Kern River, then over Farewell Gap and back to parking lot. I then figured we would try to hitch hike back to Atwell/Hockett TH. A couple questions:

1. I saw a post a few years ago about the lack of water at Hockett Meadow in late August- does anyone have any reports on the water situation?
2. I am having issues finding any trip reports about the second and third day of my loop. Has anyone travelled that section of trails before? It's been a few year since we have been backpacking and I would prefer something easy to follow.
3. Any advice on hitch hiking from the upper parking lot in Mineral King to the TH? We can walk if necessary...
4. Any preferences of going Tar Gap or Atwell-Hockett trails to Hockett Meadow? The permits are wide open, so I figure I would ask the Ranger when we picked up our permits?



What level of backpacking experience do you have?
Level 2- Some backpacking trips, using trails

What terrain are you comfortable/uncomfortable with?
Comfortable with trails
No experience with X-Country

What is your main interest?
Lakes, Meadows, Fishing, Scenery, Solitude

When is your trip? August 23 -25

How many miles did you want to do a day, any layovers? No layovers 10ish miles per day

Have you hiked at elevation before? Any prior issues with Altitude Sickness? Yes, no altitude sickness

Do you have a route logistics preference: loop, out and back, point to point (which may require 2 vehicles or hitchhiking)? loop preferred, but all ok

Is there a particular area in the Sierra that your most interested in (Yosemite, SEKI, western sierra start or eastern start ect.)? Western Start

Have you hiked in the Sierra Nevada before, if yes, where? Please list a few of your more difficult hikes, so we can then recommend routes based on your experience level. HST, Mineral King Loop (Franklin, Little 5 Lakes, Timber Gap)

Will you be hiking with a dog? No

The Hockett Trail: 1863 to Present

An excellent read for anyone interested in traveling in this area. Hopefully the author will see your post and weigh in on your plans.

Regarding fishing and the Golden Trout Wilderness. The Little Kern is fishless on the upper waters below Farewell Gap. I travelled this area a couple of years ago just before all the big fires and found the trail well marked and maintained within SEKI but in the GTW, trail signage is old or missing and trail maintenance nonexistent with blowdowns everywhere.

If I were to do it again, I would go to Pearl Lake via Franklin and Shotgun Passes. A real diamond in the rough.

Last NPS update on that area:

7/21/2024 - Each trail has ~60 down trees to go over/under/around. Tar Gap will require minor route-finding from overgrown plants, especially between forks of Deer Creek. All water crossings were rock-hoppable and gently flowing. Hockett Meadow's Whitman Creek still flowing. Not passable to stock.

Thank you freestone for the book recommendation. I ordered it and will read before we leave. My father spent a lot of his early 20s in Mineral King, so I will pass along to him as I am sure he will enjoy it.

Also thank you maverick- I neglected to check the NPS updates.

I attempted to do Tar Gap in June and was told by the rangers that there were significant levels of downed logs through the entire area. Another friend who works trail crew had no idea if they would get to it anytime soon or not. I'll report back if I ever hear otherwise, as I intend to use Tar Gap to do Homer's Nose once it is cleared.

There is now a fire just west of Homer's Nose - keep an eye on that if you still intend to do this trip!