Backpacking options in Kings Canyon/Sequoia

Thanks for the advice David. Lots of good stuff there. I agree that Rae Lakes loop would be too much for 4 days. I'm assuming we could alter the route a bit and still see some cool stuff up there. I read Paradise Valley is around there, and sounded cool. I'm going to pick up Sierra South as well and maybe cobble something cool together. The Twin Lakes/Ranger Lake might be a good option too.

I think we need to stick with west side entry points due to the need to be semi close to Fresno. I can't afford to spend 4-5 hours in the car.

Thanks again.

Thanks Toejam. I just came across Mineral King as well, and love the idea of a loop in that area. I'm seeing a bunch of options around Little 5 lakes, Sawtooth Pass, etc.

Based on what I'm reading, I don't think we'll be able to pull off a 4 day Rae Lakes loop unless we're killing ourselves everyday. And that doesn't sound fun.

Do you think a loop hike out of Mineral King is better than a out-n-back from the Roads End trailhead (to Reflection Lake and back)?

I'd second Mineral King. Lots if choices and it's a wonderful little Valley on its own. And for people on a time crunch avoiding the long forest slog of so many west side approaches is a benefit. Another option could be something out of Crescent Meadow that loops back to Lodgepole?
Iirc White has a combined Sequoia Kings Canyon hikers guide (I have his two separated) that focuses in those two parks from Wilderness Press, the same outfit that publishes Sierra South etc. it might offer more options in your area of interest. And does include Mineral King.
www.wildernesspress.com/product.php?productid=17064&cat=0&page=1
Getting to Sphinx is a lot of "up" iirc, 5k+ vertical. I went that way one October and got maybe 6 inches of snow dropped on us. Fun in its way... route finding got surprisingly tricky. ,

www.wildernesspress.com/home.php?xid=0ada3b7b07cbe66c38669c85ae478ea1

The road to Mineral King was kinda shocking the first time I drove it - one of my radiator fans got disconnected and the car overheated all the way up there. I didn't mind it the next couple times. Kaiser Pass Rd is arguably as bad, though not as long, with continuous one-lane blind hills & corners where you can't see oncoming traffic.

I'm in love with the pictures of Sphinx Lakes, but it's a 6000' climb up there and you'd need to do it in a day because there's not really a place to stop in the middle. I really wanna do it, maybe next summer on a 2-nighter.

Dave S' Graveyard Lakes suggestion is good. You could go from there over Goodale Pass & Silver Pass, and catch the boat back across the lake to party with the JMT hikers at Vermillion Valley Resort.

As I said, there are a lot of good options out of Mineral King, but here's something I'm familiar with that has non-stop world class scenery with reasonable climbs and mileage. Mineral King to Franklin Lakes day 1, over Franklin Pass down Soda Ck and up to Big Five Lakes day 2, past Little Five Lakes over Black Rock Pass and down to Spring Lake day 3, over Glacier Pass and back to Mineral King day 4. Have burgers, beer & pie at Silver City.

Ever been to Crystal Lake or Amphitheater? Fastest alpine fix I know of.

There are stopping places along the way to the Sphinx drainage. I've stayed there. Snowed on too. Nothing overly memorable, but functional. But out and backs have their own drawbacks...,