The Silver Knapsack Trail is a trail in the

Sierra Nevada The Sierra Nevada ( ) is a mountain range in the Western United States, between the Central Valley of California and the Great Basin. The vast majority of the range lies in the state of California, although the Carson Range spur lies primari ...

, near Johnsondale, Springville, and

Three Rivers, California Three Rivers is an Unincorporated area#United States, unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Tulare County, California, United States. Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada at the edge of the San Joaquin Valley, th ...

. It is located in

Sequoia National Forest Sequoia National Forest is located in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains of California. The U.S. National Forest is named for the majestic Giant Sequoia (''Sequoiadendron giganteum'') trees which populate 38 distinct groves within the boun ...

and the southernmost part of

Sequoia National Park Sequoia National Park is a List of national parks of the United States, national park of the United States in the southern Sierra Nevada (U.S.), Sierra Nevada east of Visalia, California. The park was established on September 25, 1890, and toda ...

. Much of the trail lies within the

Golden Trout Wilderness The Golden Trout Wilderness is a federally designated wilderness area in the Sierra Nevada, in Tulare County, California, Tulare County and Inyo County, California, Inyo County, California. It is located east of Porterville, California, Portervi ...

Background

There are seven glacier-carved lakes along the trail, and most of the trail is above . The Summit Trailhead elevation is . The elevation of the trail ranges from . The trail is open from July to October and is very popular with

Boy Scouts Boy Scouts or Boy Scout may refer to: * Members, sections or organisations in the Scouting Movement ** Scout (Scouting), a boy or a girl participating in the worldwide Scouting movement ** Scouting America, formerly known as Boy Scouts of America ...

. There are several intersecting and side trails that provide many options varying the exact length and path of a hike, backpacking, or camping excursion. Starting from Summit Trailhead headed north, the landmarks on the trail are: South Mountaineer Creek, Jacobsen Meadow, Mowery Meadow, Alpine Meadow (which isn't actually alpine in nature), Griswold Meadow, Maggie Mountain, Maggie Lakes, Frog Lakes, Twin Lakes, Sheep Mountain, Quinn Patrol Cabin, Soda Spring Creek and Soda Spring (which has carbonated water), Newlywed Site, Walker Cabin (built in 1886), Mountaineer Creek, Grey Meadow Ranger Station, Clicks Creek, Clicks Creek Trailhead, and then back to Summit Trailhead. Several of the cabins in the area were originally built by

sheepherders A shepherd is a person who tends, herds, feeds, or guards flocks of sheep. Shepherding is one of the world's oldest occupations; it exists in many parts of the globe, and it is an important part of Pastoralism, pastoralist animal husbandry. ...

; for example Quinn Patrol Cabin was built by sheepherder Harry Quinn circa 1900.

Segments

The trail is a circle (loop) hike, generally starting from either the Summit or Clicks Creek Trailheads, both of which are in the southwestern portion of the trail. It is composed of the following segments: * Summit Trailhead to Alpine Meadow ... * Alpine Meadow to Maggie Lakes ... * Maggie Lakes to Soda Spring Creek ... * Soda Spring Creek to Little Kern River ... * Little Kern River to Clicks Creek Trailhead ...

Silver Knapsack Award

Scouts and Leaders who meet the 9 requirements, can earn the Silver Knapsack Award patch.

Notes

References

External links