About
Length (round trip)12.6 mi
ShapeOut-and-Back
DifficultyStrenuous
Elevation gain2,500 ft up
Typical time7 hr 30 min
TrailheadWolverton, Generals Highway
SurfaceForest, the Watchtower ledge, then granite basins
Best seasonGiant Forest is best June to October. Mineral King road opens late May and closes in November; the high country holds snow into July.
DogsNot allowed
What you'll see ⛰️ Summit🌄 Big views🏞️ Lake🎒 Backpacking

Past Heather and Emerald to Pear Lake, through a granite basin below the Sierra crest.

Tips
The Watchtower route traverses a blasted ledge with a 1,600-foot drop and is spectacular; the Hump route avoids it and is used when the ledge holds snow. The Pear Lake hut is a famous winter ski destination.
Location

Wolverton, Generals Highway

🎒 What to pack

This trail is set up for backpacking, so it's worth packing for a night out as well as the walk.

Other Hikers
No one has logged this trail yet.
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Trail data: USGS National Map / PAD-US, the National Park Service, state agencies, and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Access and conditions change — check with the managing agency before you go.