Franklin Lakes Trail
This trail provides many views of the rainbow-colored metamorphic rocks that attracted miners in the past.
Plan Around Franklin Lakes Trail
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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.
Franklin Lakes Trail Details
The 5.4-mile one-way Franklin Lakes Trail can be done as a day trip, but many backpackers stop overnight at the lakes on the way over Franklin Pass to Rattlesnake Canyon, the Kern Canyon, and Mt. Whitney. The trail offers lots of opportunities to see the rainbow-colored metamorphic rocks that first attracted miners to the area in the 1870s, in hopes of finding silver. Day hikers in the Mineral King area should expect steep trails and thinner air. Although the floor of the Mineral King valley is at 7,500 feet, west- and south-facing slopes can still be hot and dry. Hiking at this altitude is challenging, so make sure your fitness level is adequate before embarking, and bring plenty of water.
Difficulty
High
Distance
5.4 miles
Estimated time
7 hours
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Franklin Lakes Trail
Compare nearby parks around Franklin Lakes Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Franklin Lakes Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Franklin Lakes Trail while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Cold Springs
Located 23 miles from Highway 198 on the Mineral King Road.
0.9 mi away
Monarch Lakes Trail
Upper and Lower Monarch Lakes lie at the foot of Sawtooth Peak, at the end of a 4.2-mile hike.
0.9 mi away
Timber Gap Trail
This trail follows an old mining route along Monarch Creek before branching off from the trail.
1.0 mi away
White Chief Trail
The White Chief mine made Mineral King a household name among miners.
1.5 mi away
Crystal Lake Trail
Providing panoramic views of the southern part of the Mineral King Valley.
