Kings Canyon Discovery Challenge
Recharge enjoying high Sierra lakes and exploring rugged terrain in a remote section of Kings Canyon National Park.
Kings Canyon National Park
Original price was: $1,799.$1,649Current price is: $1,649.
Discover the Joy of Backpacking Kings Canyon National Park
Join us to swim in high alpine lakes, relax among towering pines and explore remote terrain with incredible views in a remote corner of Kings Canyon National Park. This Kings Canyon backpacking adventure treks roughly 20 miles over four nights and five days, including one night near the trailhead. Two days include optional off-trail day hikes with opportunities to discover hidden lakes and epic views, adding flexibility to the experience and making it ideal for individuals of all ages and experience levels. Joining a trek has never been easier. All gear, meals, transportation and logistics are taken care of! We’ll meet on the day of departure in the Clovis/Fresno area, or optionally at Grant Grove Visitors Center in Kings Canyon for those who prefer to drive. Don’t miss this opportunity for a perfect end of summer escape!
What’s included
- Transportation between Fresno/Clovis, CA area meeting point and trailhead
- Guided trek over 5 days to Kings Canyon National Park and More than a dozen high Sierra lakes.
- All meals and snacks while in the backcountry
- Backpack, tent, sleeping bag and pad if needed
- Personalized pack-check prior to departure
- Group gear and equipment
- Flexible cancellation policy
- Inspiration for a lifetime
What’s not included
- Meals in the front-country
- Lodging in the front-country, pre- or post-trek
How it works
A $500 deposit per person is required with balance due 60 days prior to the event. Typical group size of 7, including one guide. Maximum group size of 13, including two guides. An additional 5% charge will be applied when your reservation is made to offset new fees mandated by the National Park Service. Private, family and modified itinerary trips available through TSX Pods. Book with confidence! Review our flexible cancellation policy.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Afternoon arrival, caravan to trailhead, overnight
We’ll meet up on the day of departure at 1pm in Clovis, CA before transporting to our trailhead in Kings Canyon National Park. Our goal is to make it to the trailhead by dinner where we’ll do a final pack-check, get to know our team and talk safety before beginning the hike the following day.
Day 2 – Rowel Meadow trailhead to Lost Lake (7.7 miles)
Trail: Moderate uphill with ~1,200′ elevation gain.
Our pace will be moderate as we cover miles on good trail with elevation gain and loss though high forest until we reach the remote basin that’s home to Lost Lake and our camp.
Day 3 – Lost Lake to Ranger Lake (2.2 miles)
Trail: Moderate hike to adjacent lake with optional hike to ridgeline for views
After a leisurely morning we’ll move camp to Ranger Lake. An optional up and back, off-trail scramble to the summit ridge of the Sillman Crest (~10,500′) will be on the schedule in addition to fishing and swimming.
Day 4 – Optional day hike loop to chain of off-trail lakes (up to 3 miles)
Trail: Off-trail exploring to chain of lakes, or leisure day at camp
Weather and trail conditions permitting we’ll have the option to explore an off-trail lake-studded ridge near our basecamp for more swimming, lunch and great views. Or you can elect to skip the hike and enjoy a leisurely day at the lake.
Day 5 – Ranger Lake to Rowell Meadow Trailhead (8.9 miles)
Trail: Moderate return hike, then home to brag
An early start will get us back to our trailhead where we will reload cars, and return to home refreshed and re-energized, ready to accomplish incredible things!
Logistics
Departure and pickup locations
On the day of departure, we will coordinate transportation from Central California (Fresno/Clovis area). If you are local or driving in, you may optionally meet us at the Grant Grove Visitor Center in Kings Canyon National Park, and continue to drive your car back to our starting trailhead (45 minute drive).
- Central California Pick-up Point: Clovis Cole Best Western, Clovis, CA – 1pm
- Optional meeting point: Grant Grove Visitor Center – 3pm
Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your confirmed pick up time. The Fresno/Clovis area is a 3 hour car drive from the Bay Area, and roughly 4 hours from Southern California. We will help coordinate and arrange car pools for participants coming from around the state when possible. Exact time and regional meet-up locations will be confirmed on a trek by trek basis.
Meals are not provided when in transit, however, we will stop for food and to refuel before reaching the trailhead. Our goal is to make it to the trailhead just before dusk. A light snack will be provided that evening at the trailhead.
Pre- and post-trek accommodations (Out of State Guests)
For guest traveling in from out of state who wish to arrive early, we suggest arriving Fresno, CA the evening before departure and staying at the Best Western Clovis Cole, in historic downtown Clovis or Hampton Inn and Suites Clovis.
At the trailhead
Bring your personal items and a positive attitude! All group gear and food will be provided on the trail. Any major personal gear you’ve indicated you’d like us to provide (sleeping bag, tents etc.) will be waiting for you at the trailhead. Please also bring a small bag with a clean set of clothes. Before we hit the trail, we’ll leave that bag at the cabin for optional showers after we exit.
Returning home
We plan on exiting the trail between 12pm and 2pm on the last day of the trek. Please plan your return transportation accordingly. If flying out of Fresno on the same day, we suggest scheduling flights for departure no earlier than 4pm.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Don’t own a backpack, tent or sleeping bag? We provide all major gear for those who request it at no additional charge. We also take care of all group items like stoves, food, water filters, first aid and more. Your guides will do the cooking and dishes. Just show up with your personal items ready to hike!
2 reviews for Kings Canyon Discovery Challenge
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Denver C. –
I had the opportunity to take my 8 year old son on this trip, his first overnight backpacking experience. It was perfect. Just the right amount of challenge to get him hooked on backpacking without being overwhelming. It was awesome having a ton of time to explore the lakes at camp, go fishing, take a nap. We slept under the stars the first night by the campire, falling asleep finding satellites and seeing the Milky Way move across the sky. Lost Lake is beautiful. You can easily hike around the whole perimeter. We were the only ones camping there. Amazing how remote it feels just being a day hike away. Great first backpacking experience for those looking to get a unique taste of the high Sierras.
JOYCE WECKL –
We did this trip the end of August 2024. I had asked Chris if we could have a trip that was more laid back and chill. Some physically challenging hikes but also down time to lounge, float in the lake, take day hikes, etc. I wanted a trip more about the journey and not so much about the destination except for wanting to be in the Sierras. Of course, he delivered right on point!
On day one, we arrived in the afternoon and instead of camping at the trail head, we hiked in a few miles, straight uphill mind you, and camped there. It was the right choice though and we had a lovely evening under the stars. The next few nights, we camped near two different lakes and had the option of doing some day hikes that took us above 10K feet.
Every night we were able to have a campfire. We saw some other people but not many. Alyssa was our guide and not only was she very competent and thorough, she was a lot of fun and made the trip so enjoyable. Alyssa, is such a motivational person with her huge accomplishments already and her equally huge goals. She is such an impressive woman and inspirational for everyone. As usual, the TSX meals were excellent. I hate to get your hopes up but Alyssa even managed Eggs Benedict! Everything was flavorful, interesting and even worth carrying the weight.
This was by no means an easy trip but probably one of TSX’s easier ones. I am in my early 60’s and it was quite doable but strenuous. I highly recommend this trip for anyone.