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Timber Gap Trail

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks · Tulare · Managed by Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (NPS)
Difficulty 32/100 · Moderateout and back#mineral-king#meadows#beginner-friendly
Distance
9.7 mi
Total gain
4,780 ft
Net gain
2,338 ft
Net loss
2,338 ft
Elevation
7,171–9,509 ft
Days
2
Permit
Required
Campfires
Campfires allowed seasonally

Overview

Timber Gap is Mineral King's gentle introduction: a 4.85-mile climb from Cold Springs over a forested 9,500-foot pass to the headwaters of Cliff Creek. It is the classic first-night route for Sierra rookies, with meadows, marmots, and views down the Great Western Divide.

Highlights

  • A forested, flower-lined climb with the Kaweah country opening up at the pass
  • Marmots and deer in the meadow country
  • The link to Cliff Creek and the Middle Fork Kaweah country beyond

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Cold Springs Trailhead (Mineral King) (7,500 ft · parking: Cold Springs campground area at road's end, Mineral King)
  • Water: Timber Gap Creek and meadow streams; treat all water.
  • Resupply: Mineral King has a small store in season.
  • Shuttle: Not needed for an out-and-back.
  • Bear canister required.

Permits

  • Agency: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (NPS)
  • Reserve or apply on recreation.gov
  • Quota: Trailhead quota for the Timber Gap entry applies during quota season.
  • Reservation window: Advance reservations via recreation.gov; walk-ups when quota remains.

Campfires & stove regulations

Campfires allowed seasonally. In the Kaweah drainage (including Mineral King), campfires are prohibited above 9,000 ft and may be restricted lower during high fire danger. Current fire restrictions. Rules change with conditions — always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.

Best time to go

Best months: July, August, September.

Snow: Mineral King road opens late May; the pass is snow-free by July in most years.

Heat: Pleasant; the upper meadow country stays cool.

Bugs: Mosquitoes in the meadows through July.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • The Mineral King road is slow and narrow — allow two hours from Highway 198
  • Fires are banned above 9,000 feet, which covers the pass area
  • Bear canisters are required in SEKI

Map

Route track shown for reference only — navigate with map and compass. Track source: OpenStreetMap route relation 16865142 (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) (ODbL 1.0).

Sources & citations

Data compiled 2026 from public agency and reference sources. All descriptive text on this page is original; verify current conditions with the managing agency before your trip.

  1. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Wilderness Permits. Recreation.gov / National Park Service. https://www.recreation.gov/permits/445857. Accessed 2026-09-07. Quota season, fees, food-storage requirements, and fire prohibitions above 9,000 ft in the Kaweah drainage.
  2. Timber Gap Trail route relation 16865142. OpenStreetMap contributors. https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/16865142. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: ODbL 1.0. Route geometry; distance and elevation statistics computed from this track.
  3. SRTM90 elevation data. OpenTopoData (SRTM, NASA/USGS-derived open data). https://www.opentopodata.org/. Accessed 2026-09-07. Elevation enrichment for computed gain/loss statistics.