Kearsarge Lakes – Backpacking in the Eastern Sierra
I just got back from one of my absolute favorite backpacking trips I’ve ever done – Kearsarge Lakes in Kings Canyon National Park. And let me tell you, this is hands down the best backpacking spot in the Eastern Sierra. Filled with 5 shining blue alpine lakes and magnificent granite cliffs, the landscape on this hike will literally take your breath away (if you haven’t already lost it from the altitude).
Hiking Stats
- Length: 12.4 mi.
- Elevation Gain: 2,400 ft.
- Highest Point: 11,700 ft.
- Starting Elevation: 9,600 ft.
- Difficulty (backpacking): Moderate
- Difficulty (Day Trip): Strenuous
Overnight
Daytrip
Kearsarge Pass to Kearsarge Lakes Trail Overview
Coming in at only 12.4 miles with 2,800 feet of elevation, this hike is a great option for beginners and advanced backpackers alike. The main challenge here is overcoming the altitude, which gets up to 11,700 feet at Kearsarge Pass. While, the elevation is high, drinking enough water should be enough to keep you from feeling the effects. And, if 12.4 miles is too short, there’s plenty of options to extend to Rae Lakes or other through hikes in King’s Canyon.
While the hike starts in the Inyo National Forest, it will take you through the John Muir Trail (JMT) and into Kings Canyon National Park. Like many other hikes in the area, you will need a permit to stay overnight at the lakes. You can find those here. The other thing to note about the national park is that dogs are not allowed for overnight stays, so keep that in mind if you want to bring a pup.
Where is the Hike to Kearsarge Lake in the Eastern Sierra?
The trailhead begins and ends in Onion Valley Campground, which sits outside the small town of Independence, CA, on CA 395. As with the rest of California, driving is really the only way to get to this spot. However, unlike other hikes, this one is very close to Los Angeles, which is roughly 3 hours away. Of course, that’s only if you miss the LA traffic.
At the trailhead there’s a good amount of parking space, but this trail is extremely popular, so get there early just in case. A lot of people do this hike as a day trip so by mid-morning, it can be hard to find a spot.
If you’re planning to stay an extra night before/after your trip, there’s unfortunately not too many proper places to stay. The area outside the trail is desolate with the closest town being Lone Pine, which is 30 minutes from the trailhead. While there are a few hotels there, I suggest just setting up camp on the way into the trailhead. You can camp for free on BLM land and save the money. You already have your camping gear with you, so why not!
When Is the Best Time to Visit Kearsarge Lakes?
Usually, this trail is best used from June to October. But with the snow, the opportune time will be constantly changing. I went in early July of 2023 and there was still lots of snow on the trails and by the lakes. In the end, this made finding a campsite rather hard. We ended up having to sleep on an incline (not fun).
The other thing to note is that as the day goes on, this snow melts, turning the snow to slush. So, if you go in the early season or in winter bring crampons and start as early in the morning as possible.
As with a lot of backpacking trails in the eastern sierra, the peak season brings a crowd. If you can, plan your trip during the middle of week and you may get the whole place to yourself.
In winter, this trail boasts amazing skiing and snowshoeing opportunities for those experienced enough to do so. But depending on the amount of snow, the trails might be closed seasonally.
Hiking to Kearsarge Lakes from Onion Valley
The trail to Kearsarge Lakes is not too bad. You’ll start your journey at 9,100 feet. From there, the trail quickly ascends up and out of the desert below via a bunch of switchbacks. Along the way you’ll pass a few lakes and waterfalls that make for beautiful photos with the Sierra Nevada in the distance.
After about 2 miles, you’ll arrive at the first big alpine lake called Flower lake. From there, you’ll have another 2 miles up to Kearsarge Pass, which is the highest point on the trail at 11,700 feet. During those last 2 miles to the pass, you may encounter some snow depending on the time of the year so check the trail conditions and come prepared.
Once you reach Kearsarge Pass, you’ll have an easy descent for the final 2 miles to the lakes. The final connection point is the John Muir Trail which is only 2.5 miles from Kearsarge Pass, so, in total, this brings the hike to 6.5 miles each way.
As a day trip, this would only be a 7-8 hour journey out and back, depending on conditions. If backpacking, it could take 4-6 hours in and 3-4 back. However, if there’s snow, expect to take a bit longer, even with crampons. And, as a general rule in backpacking, I always like to prepare for moving much slower than if I were hiking with a smaller pack.
You can find the alltarils link tot the trail here.
Camping at Kearsarge Lakes
As I mentioned, you will need a permit to stay overnight at Kearsarge Lakes. For this, there’s a 2 night maximum allowed in your stay. There’s about 60 permits given out for this site, so expect to see some other people fighting for campsites. To ensure you get a good spot, always try to leave and arrive early to claim your space.
Normally, you can book permits either 6 months in advance or 2 weeks in advance. However, there’s usually some spots left even a few days before you go, so you may not need to plan that far out.
Most importantly, there are bears and marmots in this area and a bear can is required to stay in the backcountry. And as with all trails, pack out what you bring in. There’s no restrooms along the way or at the lakes, so bring a trowel and some biodegradable wipes and always do your business far away from water.
No campfires are allowed in the park so bringing a stove is a major key here. And, of course, having a way to purify water is a must. One of my favorite bloggers, Renee Roaming has a great page on the basics of backpacking and how to follow no trace policies. I suggest reading it before you head out if you are new to backpacking.
What to Bring to Kearsarge Lakes
When hiking or backpacking Kearsarge Lakes, the below items are things to consider wearing and packing. For a more in-depth packing list, I recommend you check out these free packing guides.
However, every hiking and backpacking trip will be different, so use these as a guide and make adjustments according to your climate, length of trip, etc.
Free packing list:
Items to Bring for a Day Trip
Day-Trip Only
- Hiking shoes
- Wool socks
- Down jacket
- Rain coat
- Quick dry top
- Mid-layer (fleece)
- Water bladder
- Sun Hat
- Sunscreen
- Sun glasses
- Mosquito repellent
- First aid kit
- Camera and batteries
- Rain cover for your hiking bag
(Day Trip Optionals):
- Trekking Poles
- Bathing Suit
- Towel
- Rain Pants
- MultiTool
Backpacking Gear should be in addition to the Day Trip and Day Trip Optionals sections
- Trekking poles
- Water filtration
- Camp stove and food
- Bear can (mandatory)
- Sleeping bag
- Backpacking tent
- Lighter
- Multipurpose tool
- Headlamp
- Water bladder
- Towel
- Rain cover for your hiking bag
- Extra socks and underwear
- Thermal top
- Thermal bottom
- Camp sandals
- Beanie
- Gloves
- Trail permit (mandatory)
- Body/Face Wipes
- Trowel for bathroom use
- Toothbrush
- Any meds
- External Battery
- Cooking Utensils
Other Optional Additions
- Navigation
- GPS
- Phone Charger
- Camp Pillow
Final Thoughts on Backpacking Kearsarge Lakes in the Eastern Sierra
Although a lot of this trail may sound intimidating, I promise that doing this hike is worth the effort. There’s a reason it’s such a popular trail. Kearsarge Lakes is one of the most beautiful spots in the eastern sierra. If you’ve ever been, I would love to hear about your experience in the comments below!
