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Leads to lower lakes in Bench Valley and provides access to easy off-trail running to remote lakes in upper Bench Valley.


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Map Key

5.3

Miles

8.5

KM

84%

Runnable

10,439' 3,182 m

High

8,652' 2,637 m

Low

1,918' 585 m

Up

131' 40 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

27%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Commonly Backpacked · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views

Wilderness permits are required and there are daily quotas, but walk-in permits are easier to get for this area than many other regions in the Sierras. Walk-in permits are obtained from the ranger station in Prather.

Description

The Bench Valley Trail leaves the Blackcap Basin Trail about a half mile or so above Big Maxson Meadow. It winds back to cross the ridge, climbing about 600 feet in 1.5 miles. Near the high point, it is worthwhile to run about 100 yards down to the rocky ledge where there is a sweeping panorama of the North Fork Kings River canyon, Long Mountain south of Long Meadow, and even to Eagle Peak beyond Courtright Reservoir.

From the high point, the trail drops about 80 feet to Falls Creek, and then gradually climbs through a fairly swampy area with mosquitoes, until it reaches the falls coming down from McGuire Lakes. A series of switchbacks take you up the cliff. In the early season, the tight switchbacks near the top can be buried in snow. This creates a steep slope just above the cliffs that drop to the bottom of the falls. This could be very dangerous without an ice-axe and crampons.

The trail winds around the two McGuire Lakes, climbs 200 feet to pass near Guest Lake, and then climbs to its end near Horsehead and Filly Lakes. Although the trail ends, it is an easy off-trail run up to the beautiful lakes in upper Bench Valley.

Contacts

Shared By:

Lee Watts

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#31322

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#3,536

in California

#31,322

Overall
4 Views Last Month
279 Since May 20, 2017
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Lower McGuire Lake with the summit of Blackcap Mountain on the left side.
May 20, 2017 near Big Pine, CA
The view above Horseshoe Lake. There is an off-trail route that travels through the gap at center and continues around the ridge to Wah Hoo, Holster, and Bullet Lakes.
May 20, 2017 near Big Pine, CA
In this view, Blackcap Mountain shows Class 2 passes from Blackcap Basin at low points on the right and left sides of the mountain.
May 20, 2017 near Big Pine, CA

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