Kings River

The area between Tehipite Valley and Simpson Meadow has remarkable stands of sugar pine. Where the river slows and broadens, it passes through lush meadows. Populations of insectivorous sundews can be found in Big Pete, Grouse, and the unnamed meadows south of Simpson Meadow; these likely represe...Show More

The area between Tehipite Valley and Simpson Meadow has remarkable stands of sugar pine. Where the river slows and broadens, it passes through lush meadows. Populations of insectivorous sundews can be found in Big Pete, Grouse, and the unnamed meadows south of Simpson Meadow; these likely represent elevational range extensions for this species. Near Big Pete Meadow, the river is lined by ericaceous vegetation, which is unusually rich in members of the heath family. Mats of blueberry, heather, and Labrador tea emerge from a thick carpet of sphagnum mosses, including a rare species of Helodium unknown elsewhere in California. At least three rare plants occur in the drainage—Muir’s raillardella, Tehipite jewel flower, and Kings Canyon sedge.

The Kings Canyon is one of the Sierra Nevada’s rare and best examples of a “Yosemite,” a deep canyon with sheer granite cliff faces on either side of the river valley that rivals the true Yosemite. The South Fork flows through spectacular examples of valley glaciation. The Upper Basin contains ex...Show More

The Kings Canyon is one of the Sierra Nevada’s rare and best examples of a “Yosemite,” a deep canyon with sheer granite cliff faces on either side of the river valley that rivals the true Yosemite. The South Fork flows through spectacular examples of valley glaciation. The Upper Basin contains examples of cirques, arete, and horn development. There are deeply glaciated canyons, including the remote Muro Blanco and the picturesque Paradise Valley. The Middle Fork contains Tehipite Dome, which is one of the premier examples of granitic exfoliation in the United States.

Before 1900, Indians, sheepherders, and a few explorers had entered the region. Tehipite Valley contains Indian village sites that include rock paintings of significance. Other Indian sites probably occur but have not been catalogued. Muir Pass, just above the river’s source, has a small stone sh...Show More

Before 1900, Indians, sheepherders, and a few explorers had entered the region. Tehipite Valley contains Indian village sites that include rock paintings of significance. Other Indian sites probably occur but have not been catalogued. Muir Pass, just above the river’s source, has a small stone shelter erected about 1930 and eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

The Middle Fork is paralleled by popular wilderness trails, with the upper end accessible by a segment of the John Muir and Pacific Crest Trails. The South Fork’s upper reaches (Upper Basin) and middle reaches (Paradise Valley) provide exceptional recreation. The exceptional and remote alpine sce...Show More

The Middle Fork is paralleled by popular wilderness trails, with the upper end accessible by a segment of the John Muir and Pacific Crest Trails. The South Fork’s upper reaches (Upper Basin) and middle reaches (Paradise Valley) provide exceptional recreation. The exceptional and remote alpine scenery provides a variety of high-quality wilderness recreational opportunities, including hiking, climbing, photography, and experiencing solitude.

The upper section of the Middle Fork of the Kings River encompasses continuous vistas of spectacular mountain peaks. The middle section is dominated by very steep, glaciated valley walls. The headwaters of the South Fork provide exemplar scenery of the classic high Sierra, lake-studded alpine bas...Show More

The upper section of the Middle Fork of the Kings River encompasses continuous vistas of spectacular mountain peaks. The middle section is dominated by very steep, glaciated valley walls. The headwaters of the South Fork provide exemplar scenery of the classic high Sierra, lake-studded alpine basins.