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Black Rock Pass

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks · Tulare · Managed by Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (NPS)
Difficulty 54/100 · Strenuousout and back#mineral-king#high-pass#great-western-divide
Distance
13.7 mi
Total gain
8,954 ft
Net gain
3,313 ft
Net loss
3,313 ft
Elevation
7,189–11,634 ft
Days
3
Permit
Required
Campfires
Stoves only

Overview

Black Rock Pass is Mineral King's serious climb: 3,300 feet up the Cliff Creek drainage to an 11,600-foot pass on the Great Western Divide, with the Kaweah country and the Middle Fork canyon opening from the top. It is the gateway to the Little Five Lakes basin and one of the Sierra's finest high traverses.

Highlights

  • The view from the pass into the Little Five Lakes basin — a chain of granite-bound tarns
  • Cliff Creek's waterfall stairway on the approach
  • The Great Western Divide crest at sunset

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Black Rock Pass Trailhead (Mineral King) (7,500 ft · parking: Mineral King valley trailhead parking)
  • Water: Cliff Creek below the pass; treat all water.
  • Resupply: Mineral King has a small store in season.
  • Shuttle: Not needed for an out-and-back.
  • Stove required: yes — no fires possible on this route
  • Bear canister required.

Permits

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

Campfires & stove regulations

Stoves only. The pass and the high country beyond sit above the Kaweah drainage's 9,000-foot fire line — stoves only. 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: The pass holds snow into July in heavy years; the Mineral King road opens late May.

Heat: Cool above treeline; the valley floor warms in July.

Bugs: Mosquitoes in the meadows through July.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • Over 3,300 feet of climbing — start early and carry water for the dry upper section
  • Stoves only above 9,000 feet
  • The Mineral King road is slow; build in drive time

Map

Route track shown for reference only — navigate with map and compass. Track source: OpenStreetMap route relation 16865141 (© 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. Black Rock Pass Trail route relation 16865141. OpenStreetMap contributors. https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/16865141. 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.