Kings, Middle Fork

This reach is now being paddled by a few groups each year.    For most groups it takes a day to hike over Bishop pass to the put in and then several days of paddling on the river.   Of the various late season high Sierra runs, the MF Kings is generally the last to drop into boatable range.

Wilderness permits are required for overnight travel and must be obtained from Inyo National Forest.     The river runs mostly through Kings Canyon National Park, but forms the boundary of Sierra National Forest and Sequoia National Forest once it leaves Tehipite Valley.   In addition, the national forest section of the river is protected by the Kings River Special Management Area.

Shuttle Options:  The best option is to get a shuttle driver to drop you off at South Lake and then pick you up at the end.  A northern route goes through Yosemite National Park over Tioga Pass.   A southern route uses highway 58 over Tehachapi Pass to connect highways 99 and 395.

Take Out Options:  There are two basic take out options with variations on the second option.

1)  At the confluence of the middle and south forks, take the Yucca Point trail and climb two steep miles to highway 180.   From here you can conveniently explore the SF Kings river, Cedar Grove, and other parts of Sequoia Kings Canyon National Parks.   National park entrance fees are required as you pass through the Grant Grove entrance station.

2)  Garnet Dike is 10 river miles downstream through the wonderful Garlic Falls section.   Garnet Dike is at the end of an 8 mile dirt road, reached by a long, windy, paved road around Pine Flat reser

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