White Chief Trail
The White Chief mine made Mineral King a household name among miners.
Plan Around White Chief Trail
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White Chief Trail Details
Mineral King became a household name among miners in 1873 when James Crabtree claimed White Chief Mine. The remains of his cabin, located near the meadow beyond the junction with the Eagle/Mosquito Lakes Trail, may be the oldest remaining structure in the Mineral King area, if not the oldest. The trail is 2.9-miles one way to the White Chief Bowl, and offers a steep but scenic hike up the west side of Mineral King Valley. 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
4 miles
Estimated time
5 hours
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around White Chief Trail
Compare nearby parks around White Chief Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around White Chief Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond White Chief Trail while the map context is still fresh.
0.2 mi away
Timber Gap Trail
This trail follows an old mining route along Monarch Creek before branching off from the trail.
0.3 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
Cold Springs
Located 23 miles from Highway 198 on the Mineral King Road.
1.0 mi away
Franklin Lakes Trail
This trail provides many views of the rainbow-colored metamorphic rocks that attracted miners in the past.
1.6 mi away
Crystal Lake Trail
Providing panoramic views of the southern part of the Mineral King Valley.
