The GeekHiker

Mist Falls, with its relatively small elevation gain, can easily be done as a half-day hike.  I don’t recommend it, though.

Instead, the trail out and back to Mist Falls in Kings Canyon National Park is more worthy of slower ramble.  Take time to enjoy the quiet canyon, the sound of the South Fork of the Kings River, a lunch with Mist Falls in the background, and a lazy return.

Well, it’s just a suggestion.

From the trailhead, walk past the Ranger Hut.  Here you can obtain permits for overnight use in the backcountry, for trails such as the Rae Lakes Loop, but you won’t need one just for a dayhike.

The first couple of miles are relatively flat, dipping in and out of shady pine groves.  Occasionally the view opens up to reveal Grand Sentinel above you, and paths lead off to the side down to the river.  Other times, the trail plunges into relative darkness when the trees and underbrush become thick.

Starting out on the trail in the flat, open section, often hot in the summer

Soaked by the previous night’s rain, “steam” rises from a log near the river

At about two miles, the trail crosses some rough granite, goes through a cluster of thick horsetails, then reaches a split.  One path heads off to the right, heading south over a bridge across the river and towards the Bubbs Creek Trail.  Our path continues uphill to the left (north), starting a gentle ascent.

Heading through a dark, shady section of forest

Looking up at Grand Sentinel

At about about 3 miles, the trail emerges from the shade, crossing over large slabs of granite as the view widens to the south.  Here and there the rock appears smooth and polished.  This is glacial polishing, evidence of days long ago when giant glaciers swept down through this valley.  The South Fork of the Kings River, though it sometimes disappears from sight, is almost never unheard.  Here and there it peeks through, its rushing cold water sliding over slick granite.

Looking down the canyon towards The Sphinx from along the trail

Rapids along the river

Newer evidence of nature’s work can as the trail ascends high above the river, where down and to the right you can see where the water has carved cauldrons in the solid rock.

Water-carved bowls in the solid granite

The trail again enters the forest until, at 4.4 miles, you finally arrive at Mist Falls.  In early summer, the falls swollen with spring snowmelt, the Mist Falls certainly earn their name.  By late summer, when these pictures were taken, the water is significantly less, but you can still get close to the falls and have the mist cool you.

Mist Falls

Spread out your lunch on a rock and enjoy.  Or, ascend the trail a few yards further and look at the long stretch of rushing waters that leads down to the brink.  Note: the rocks everywhere around the falls is VERY smooth, and even with late summer’s low flows can be dangerous.  Exercise caution.

Water rushes over smooth granite towards the brink of the falls

Be sure to look to the eastern wall of the canyon as well, where the “Man of the Mist” looks down over the scene

The “Man of the Mist” casting his stern gaze

You can return by the same route or, as an alternative (with a slight .1 mile distance addition), you can cross the river at the Bubbs Creek Trail junction and pick up the Bubbs Creek Trail on the other side, turning right and heading West.  This trail winds through the flat valley floor on the south side of the river, further away from the water than the north side trail.  Here and there, massive boulders cleaved from the valley walls sit on the flat earth (one can only imagine the sound they made as they fell).  The trail also enters wide open patches where you can easily see the high valley walls soaring above you, the distinctive “U” shape of the valley evident, much like Yosemite Valley to the north.

After 2.4 miles of walking, take another bridge across the river, delivering you back to the Road’s End parking lot.