Middle Fork Kaweah Trail

Overview

Take the General's Highway toward Buckeye Flat campground. There is a fork to a dirt road on the left that will take you to the trailhead. There is not a traditional parking lot, but there is room for nine or so vehicles with bear boxes at the trailhead. <br><br>The first 3 miles to Panther Creek are fairly easy. This is the first place with campsites along the trail. Shortly after passing Panther Creek the trail increases in difficulty, climbing from roughly 4,000' to 4,800' in about 1.5 miles to Mehrten Creek. This creek has a few camp sites and is in tree cover with views of the valley below Castle Rocks and the Middle Fork River. <br><br>Continuing on, the trail ascends and descends for the next 2 1/4 miles, crossing 3 unnamed drainages, with a campsite and fire ring in tree cover at the third drainage. After another 1/2 mile the trail ends at the 9.4 mile mark at a fork. <br><br>This fork is not marked, but the left climbs up to Bearpaw Meadow and the High Sierra Trail while the right leads to Redwood Meadow. Heading right, the trail descends to an area with an obvious campsite in tree cover with a fire ring, log seats, and water access. There are multiple places to camp in this area.<br><br>This trail follows the river for its duration but there is no river access until this point due to the steep banks. There are creeks along the way with flowing water and some of them collect in pools that would be nice to take a dip in during warmer months.

Trail Stats

Photos

Enjoy great views from the Middle Fork Kaweah Trail.

Enjoy great views from the Middle Fork Kaweah Trail.

Sun starting to rise behind the Great Western Divide. There is a good campsite with a fire ring roughly 1/4 past this spot on the Redwood Meadow connector.

Sun starting to rise behind the Great Western Divide. There is a good campsite with a fire ring roughly 1/4 past this spot on the Redwood Meadow connector.

Moro Rock from the trail.

Moro Rock from the trail.

The Middle Fork Kaweah River flows peacefully in the spring and summer.

The Middle Fork Kaweah River flows peacefully in the spring and summer.

Mehrten Creek. There are some campsites here.

Mehrten Creek. There are some campsites here.

The eastern side of Castle Rocks.

The eastern side of Castle Rocks.

The first good vista of the Great Western Divide and Eagle Scout Peak.

The first good vista of the Great Western Divide and Eagle Scout Peak.

The wildflowers were abundant when I hiked this in April. Lots of poppies and buckeye.

The wildflowers were abundant when I hiked this in April. Lots of poppies and buckeye.

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