Don Cecil Trail

The Don Cecil Trail climbs the relatively cool north-facing slope of the canyon.

Plan Around Don Cecil Trail

A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.

Add to tripView park guide

Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.

Don Cecil Trail Details

Before Highway 180 was finished in 1939, the Don Cecil Trail was the major access route to Cedar Grove. Today's trail climbs the relatively cool north-facing slope of the canyon. You'll begin at the trailhead off Highway 180 in Cedar Grove Village, hiking up through pine woods. After about a mile, the trail enters a relatively level glen that features Sheep Creek, and finally ends at a dirt road. To the right is another trail, marked with a small trail sign, which continues the climb to Lookout Peak. It's a steady uphill for about 6.5 miles (one way) from here, with the trail passing through open Sierra pine forest that unfortunately offers little shade. The trail ends just short of the top of the mountain.

Difficulty

High

Distance

8.25 miles

Estimated time

10 hours

Region

N/A

Nearby Parks Around Don Cecil Trail

Compare nearby parks around Don Cecil Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

83.3 mi away

Yosemite

National Park · CA

103.1 mi away

Death Valley

National Park · CA

140.1 mi away

Pinnacles

National Park · CA

226.3 mi away

Joshua Tree

National Park · CA

292.3 mi away

Great Basin

National Park · NV

295.8 mi away

Lassen Volcanic

National Park · CA

Nearby Points of Interest Around Don Cecil Trail

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Don Cecil Trail while the map context is still fresh.

0.0 mi away

Sheep Creek Cascade Trail

This two-mile round trip takes about 1-1/2 hours and gains 600 feet in elevation.

0.7 mi away

Lookout Peak

Beyond Sheep Creek, the climb to Lookout Peak provides an incredible panorama of the park's backcountry.

0.7 mi away

Sheep Creek

Located on Highway 180, 1/4 mile from Cedar Grove Village.

0.7 mi away

Sentinel

Located on Highway 180, 1/4 mile from Cedar Grove Village.

0.9 mi away

Cedar Grove Lodge

Located within Cedar Grove Village, deep in the canyon of the Kings Canyon itself.