Kalpana Kalpana (Editor)

Silver Knapsack Trail

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Length
  
36.2 mi (58.3 km)

Trail difficulty
  
Moderate to strenuous

Use
  
Hiking, Backpacking

Silver Knapsack Trail httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediaen221Sil

Location
  
Tulare County, California, USA

Trailheads
  
Summit and Clicks Creek Trailheads above Springville, California

Highest point
  
Florence Peak, 12,438 ft (3,791 m)

The Silver Knapsack Trail is a 36.2-mile (58.3 km) trail located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, near Johnsondale, Springville, and Three Rivers, California. It is located in Sequoia National Forest and the southernmost part of Sequoia National Park. Much of the trail lies within the Golden Trout Wilderness.

Contents

Background

There are seven glacier-carved lakes along the trail and most of the trail is above 7,000 feet (2,100 m). The Summit Trailhead elevation is 8,250 feet (2,510 m). The elevation of the trail ranges from 6,050 feet (1,840 m) to 9,850 feet (3,000 m). The trail is open from July to October and is very popular with Boy Scouts. There are several intersecting and side trails that provide many options varying the exact length and path of a hike, backpacking, or camping excursion.

Starting from Summit Trailhead headed north, the landmarks on the trail are: South Mountaineer Creek, Jacobsen Meadow, Mowery Meadow, Alpine Meadow (which isn't actually alpine in nature), Griswold Meadow, Maggie Mountain, Maggie Lakes, Frog Lakes, Twin Lakes, Sheep Mountain, Quinn Patrol Cabin, Soda Spring Creek and Soda Spring (which has carbonated water), Newlywed Site, Walker Cabin (built in 1886), Mountaineer Creek, Grey Meadow Ranger Station, Clicks Creek, Clicks Creek Trailhead, and then back to Summit Trailhead. Several of the cabins in the area were originally built by sheepherders; for example Quinn Patrol Cabin was built by sheepherder Harry Quinn circa 1900.

Segments

The trail is a circle (loop) hike, generally starting from either the Summit or Clicks Creek Trailheads, both of which are in the southwestern portion of the trail. It is composed of the following segments:

  • Summit Trailhead to Alpine Meadow ... 6.5 miles (10.5 km)
  • Alpine Meadow to Maggie Lakes ... 6.4 miles (10.3 km)
  • Maggie Lakes to Soda Spring Creek ... 9.5 miles (15.3 km)
  • Soda Spring Creek to Little Kern River ... 7.5 miles (12.1 km)
  • Little Kern River to Clicks Creek Trailhead ... 7.5 miles (12.1 km)

    • Silver Knapsack Award

    Scouts who meet 11 requirements, including earning several merit badges before the trip, earn the Silver Knapsack Award patch.

    References

    Silver Knapsack Trail Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA