Question 1

What is the closest backpacking trip to Santa Maria?

Accepted Answer

Timber Gap Trail is the closest documented trip to Santa Maria at roughly 146 miles (about 162 minutes of driving) from the Cold Springs Trailhead (Mineral King) trailhead.

Question 2

Do I need a permit to backpack near Santa Maria?

Accepted Answer

Many routes near Santa Maria, including Timber Gap Trail, require a wilderness permit from Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (NPS). Always check the managing agency before you go.

Question 3

When is the best season to backpack near Santa Maria?

Accepted Answer

For Timber Gap Trail — the closest trip to Santa Maria — the best months are July, August, September.

#	Trip	Miles away	Est. drive	Distance	Gain	Difficulty	Permit
1	Timber Gap Trail Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	146 mi	~162 min	9.7 mi	4,780 ft	32	Required
2	Black Rock Pass Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	146 mi	~162 min	13.7 mi	8,954 ft	54	Required
3	Monarch Lakes Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	146 mi	~163 min	7.1 mi	4,162 ft	30	Required
4	Cottonwood Pass to Chicken Spring Lake Inyo National Forest	164 mi	~182 min	15 mi	2,962 ft	30	Required
5	Trans-Catalina Trail Channel Islands	164 mi	~182 min	38.5 mi	7,638 ft	49	Required
6	Rae Lakes Loop Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	164 mi	~182 min	41.4 mi	7,047 ft	58	Required
7	New Army Pass via Cottonwood Lakes Inyo National Forest	165 mi	~183 min	9.6 mi	3,596 ft	33	Required
8	Mount Whitney Trail Inyo National Forest	167 mi	~186 min	21.4 mi	6,460 ft	49	Required
9	North Lake–South Lake Loop Inyo National Forest	185 mi	~206 min	47.2 mi	9,320 ft	73	Required
10	Sabrina Basin Inyo National Forest	187 mi	~207 min	8.5 mi	3,652 ft	30	Required
11	Big Pine Lakes Inyo National Forest	188 mi	~208 min	13.5 mi	7,086 ft	46	Required
12	Little Lakes Valley Inyo National Forest	196 mi	~217 min	6.4 mi	1,242 ft	20	Required

Best backpacking trips near Santa Maria, CA