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This was my first time at Kings Canyon and this hike was originally not on the list but glad that we ended up going. It is a longer hike through the trees and some rocky parts. I had put bug spray on and should have brought the spray with me because there were quite a few bugs that were persistent and annoying. This was a gorgeous hike with the canyon walls on either side and lots of trees. The path is clear and easy to follow. This time a year there wasn't as much water but still enough to see the waterfall. It was really relaxing. Overall, round trip this hike with about a 20 min break at the end was 3.5 hours. Going in the afternoon was nice because it cooled down by the time we were coming back. And there were very few others on the trail. I throughly enjoyed this hike(besides the bugs) and want to come back in Spring when there is more of the waterfall.
If you're looking for a day hike in Kings Canyon that's not too strenuous but takes you through a variety of scenery and views, this is an excellent choice. Getting here is quite an adventure since it's literally at Roads End down the canyon. Along the way you can make stops at other shorter attractions like Grizzly Falls and Roaring River falls to stretch your legs. Do give yourself ample time, however since you still need at least 3-4 hours to hike this 9 mile out and back trail to the falls. Parking at Road's End is plentiful with two overflow lots. It was quite busy on a summer Saturday but we found a spot in the overflow lot. From the main lot, if your back is to the road head left towards the permit office (you don't need one for this hike) and start the trail from here. The first section takes you through sandy, gravel meadows with high granite peaks on either side and tons of pines and rock formations. The Kings River will be on your right but on this section of the hike, not in view. Once you leave this area the trail narrows and a short time later you see a sign to the left taking you up to Mist Falls, another 2.7 miles. The ascent is very gradual and not at all too difficult if you're a regular hiker. During this stretch you will pass through woodland, marshy areas and rocky stairs with better views of the river. Also keep an eye out for bears. We saw a mama and two cubs as well as heard another one crashing through the brush on one side. In August the falls weren't that strong but the cascades leading up to it were beautiful. The blue and green hues of the water were quite something. Head a little further up to a granite slab and turn around for the postcard perfect view of Kings Canyon. It's an out and back but the way down went quickly. It's 9 miles round trip and took us about 3 hours and 46 minutes but that's with a few stops for pictures and admiring the view. A long journey so plan to leave early and give yourself enough time for the full hike and other scenic areas along the way. It took over an hour from Grants Grove to drive to the trail head.
We only had one extra day in Kings Canyon. Since we obviously didn't have time for Rae Lakes, we settled on Mist Falls which we believe is closer to Easy than Moderate. It's about 9 miles round trip. The first 2/3 to 3/4 of the way to the falls is almost exclusively flat. VERY EASY. Be on the lookout for bears and other wildlife We saw bear poo on the trail and about 1 minute later we saw a small mother black bear. I'd say about 30-40 ft away. The last 1/3 to 1/4 of the hike to the falls is all uphill so be prepared to suck some wind for the last 45 minutes or so. The crazy thing is, the falls aren't even the best site to see. About half way up the incline portion, look back and you get an absolutely amazing view of the canyon. We got to this point at around 1pm. When we headed back this way around 2:30 the sun wasn't in a great position so make sure you start this hike at 11:30 or earlier. This is all the way at the end of the park / hwy 180, about an hour from the big stump entrance so plan accordingly. At 1pm the sun made for an amazing view. After this vista, it's another 20 minutes to the falls which were unspectacular. Especially since we've been to Niagara and Iguazu Falls. It was nice to chill and eat our sandwiches there but if you want a spot to chill, that vista was much better. Obviously on the way back it's all downhill or flat. Once we got back into the flat ground, about 30 minutes left in the hike, we saw what I think was the same mother black bear but this time with her cub. They were fishing by the water and made their way up the hill and across the path. I got way too close, taking pictures and she actually chased me for a second to scare me off. A little scary but an absolutely amazing experience. About 15 feet away. Probably shouldn't have gotten that close not only for my safety but out of respect to the bear and her cub. Great hike. Can definitely be done in regular sneakers if the trail is dry but we recommend trail shoes or hiking shoes. It took about 3.5 hrs round trip and that's with us stopping a million times to look at bears and walk down to the stream. Distance: 8.7 miles Duration: 3.5-4 hours Difficulty: 1 out of 5 Top tip: Remember to bring more water as the elevation can get to you. Dress in layers as it can get cold near the waterfall, carry a hat, and bring rain gear for long treks. Avoid cotton as it can absorb water and keep you cold. Also watch out for bears!
A fantastic hike, 9 miles round through pines, following the Kings River, up to Mist Falls. Stunning views, left and right, and a gradual climb of only a 1,000 feet, so an easy day by foot. We started at 64 degrees and finished at 80 degrees--starting to cook. Good we were in shade maybe 70% of the way. At the Mist Falls, waters streamed, slid down the smooth rock, falls face in places. Water careened around cracks and crevices. Water poured and crashed the river pool below. There were many facets and colors, and water speeds, that made it a wonder to sit and ponder the Mist Falls awhile. Of the black bear reports on the trail, we were not lucky to see one. Awesome, see my pic of the Falls!
Beautiful scenery. I definitely recommend, however it is not as easy as it sounds. The beginning of the trail is sand, after you pass the 2 mile mark it rapidly becomes steep and rocky. It was my first time hiking and the issue was not getting to Mist Falls, it was going back. Also, keep in mind that you are in bear country, and will most likely encounter one, we did.
This trail gets 5 stars because the end result is absolutely worth it. Yeah, it was kinda hard for me because I'm out of shape, but I did it! If you have good endurance and hike a lot or regularly keep your heart rate up for extended periods of time, then it probably won't be a problem for you. My boyfriend does manual labor for 8-10 hours a day, and he was cruising. I made us stop a few times along the way and also going back down. Going up, I was just dang tired. Going down, my feet and shins hurt. And oh lord, the mosquitoes. THE MOSQUITOESSSSS. Make sure you spray the crap out of yourself with repellant. I don't know what went wrong, but I got 20 bites and my boyfriend only got one. We both sprayed each other thoroughly. Maybe they just love my half-Pacific Islander blood ;P. Anyway, it's a HIKE. Bring a small backpack, plenty of water, some snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, and a camera (or at least your phone!). The hike starts out lightly through some flat-ish areas with trees sort of scattered. Then it gets a little thicker, and I think about 2 miles in (halfway?) you start to really head up through rocky areas. Then back down a little. Then up more. The landscape seems to change from what I mentioned before, to more rocky and canyon-y, to almost marsh-like and very forest-y? Then you know you're getting closer when you start to hear rushing water. Once you're more out in the open air and going up, look behind you every now and then. The view of the canyon looking south towards the direction you came gets more and more INCREDIBLE. Then it's not much further, and man, the mist from that waterfall is amaaaazing after that hike. I actually was afraid to have my camera out for too long because everything got so wet! The scenery is just so, so beautiful. The falls - refreshing and powerful. The overall area is majestic. We were lucky enough to do this hike when it was cloudy and overcast on the way up, so the only sun we got was right when we got to the falls and on the way back down. Also, if you want to feel more refreshed after you get back to your car at Road's End, you can walk a minute down to Muir Rock and go for an ice cold swim. The pictures I got from this hike were incredible, but they somehow still don't do it justice.
As great as Yosemite and sequoia national park is, one thing you can't hide is that it is an outdoors tourist destination so more than half of the time, the peace of seclusion hikes are mostly absent during your visit but luckily there is this park that no one really talks about, which is Kings canyons...a backpackers dream! The drive to Roads End trailhead (where mist fall starts) itself is a magnificent experience. The road passes through the high part of the canyons above the long trench of river offering an incredible view of this vast wilderness. It then connects the drive next to the raging rapids of the river never making the drive at all dull. Be aware though that this road winds a lot so if you have a passenger that gets car sickness easily, bring a paper bag along. Once you've reached your trailhead, there is a warning sign about bears and boy they weren't kidding. Do not leave food or anything that will leave a scent of it because bears will investigate your vehicle because I came back later that day with bear paws marked on the back of my trunk. And during this hike I ran to a bear on the trail but as tempting as it is, do not feed the bear or entertain yourself by following it to take more pictures of it. Last thing you want to do is to provoke it or accompany humans as a food source by giving it handouts. It would be sad to see a bear taken down because of human ignorance of wildlife. The bear just gave a small bluff charge since we were on the same trail headed on the opposite direction but I showed him my killer biceps and he appropriately got out the way. Black bears are usually harmless. I'm glad no grizzly exist in these area cuz my bicep would just have been an appetizer for it. Now the hike itself. Mist fall is about a 9mi round trip with 4.5 uphill and back downhill. I give it a 6 out of 10 when it comes to difficulty of the hike. As long as you have good endurance, this hike should be no problem. I only ran into several hikers with no group larger than 3 so it was very secluded and peaceful. Once you get to mist fall, it's about a 60ft fall with strong rapids and of course very misty. Don't be an idiot and jump in the river. Most have drowned this way. If you get caught in the rapids, likely of you getting out is unlikely. If you continue on, the trail leads you to paradise valley. A perfect place to camp out for the night if you brought your overnight gears but be sure you have a wilderness pass to spend the night. You can also discover other trails which I did, totaling my hike to 15mi and burning up over 3400 calories! But I had ice cream and pizza after that. I will visit this place again for sure to do the overnight experience. It's only 88 miles east of Fresno.
Mist Falls Trail is an absolute gem! The view was breathtaking, making every step of the hike worth it. Despite the hot weather, the trail is well-shaded by trees, which kept the route constantly cool and comfortable. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just looking for a beautiful nature walk, Mist Falls Trail is a must-visit. Highly recommended! It is at an incline going up most of the way so be prepared! read more
1 year ago
Distance : 8.7 miles Elv gain : 879 ft Level : depends Off hwy 180 The very first time I did this hike four years ago , the first part of the trail was completely flooded , knee high water so we decided to hike on one side of the trail parallel to the trail . We got bush whacked lol. The area was densely crowded by falling trees, boulders , standing trees , we literally had to rock scramble , climb up , duck down the fallen trees and a couple of people from the hiking group said this is too much , turned around and headed back home. It was challenging but I was having too much fun so I decided to make it to the falls at the end of this crazy flooded trail with the rest of the group. It was definitely worth it because the water was gushing at Mist Falls. One of the hikers saw a bear on the other side of the waterfalls but I didn't see it. ( I saw a mama bear and two cubs at Sequoia NP and a few adult bears in Yosemite) After the first time I went back a few more times over the years. This is one of my absolute favorite hikes in Kings Canyon National Park. Recommend: mosquito repellent Large parking lot at the trailhead and a pit toilet ( at the end of 180). read more
5 years ago
This was my first time at Kings Canyon and this hike was originally not on the list but glad that we ended up going. It is a longer hike through the trees and some rocky parts. I had put bug spray on and should have brought the spray with me because there were quite a few bugs that were persistent and annoying. This was a gorgeous hike with the canyon walls on either side and lots of trees. The path is clear and easy to follow. This time a year there wasn't as much water but still enough to see the waterfall. It was really relaxing. Overall, round trip this hike with about a 20 min break at the end was 3.5 hours. Going in the afternoon was nice because it cooled down by the time we were coming back. And there were very few others on the trail. I throughly enjoyed this hike(besides the bugs) and want to come back in Spring when there is more of the waterfall. read more
6 years ago
If you're looking for a day hike in Kings Canyon that's not too strenuous but takes you through a variety of scenery and views, this is an excellent choice. Getting here is quite an adventure since it's literally at Roads End down the canyon. Along the way you can make stops at other shorter attractions like Grizzly Falls and Roaring River falls to stretch your legs. Do give yourself ample time, however since you still need at least 3-4 hours to hike this 9 mile out and back trail to the falls. Parking at Road's End is plentiful with two overflow lots. It was quite busy on a summer Saturday but we found a spot in the overflow lot. From the main lot, if your back is to the road head left towards the permit office (you don't need one for this hike) and start the trail from here. The first section takes you through sandy, gravel meadows with high granite peaks on either side and tons of pines and rock formations. The Kings River will be on your right but on this section of the hike, not in view. Once you leave this area the trail narrows and a short time later you see a sign to the left taking you up to Mist Falls, another 2.7 miles. The ascent is very gradual and not at all too difficult if you're a regular hiker. During this stretch you will pass through woodland, marshy areas and rocky stairs with better views of the river. Also keep an eye out for bears. We saw a mama and two cubs as well as heard another one crashing through the brush on one side. In August the falls weren't that strong but the cascades leading up to it were beautiful. The blue and green hues of the water were quite something. Head a little further up to a granite slab and turn around for the postcard perfect view of Kings Canyon. It's an out and back but the way down went quickly. It's 9 miles round trip and took us about 3 hours and 46 minutes but that's with a few stops for pictures and admiring the view. A long journey so plan to leave early and give yourself enough time for the full hike and other scenic areas along the way. It took over an hour from Grants Grove to drive to the trail head. read more
We only had one extra day in Kings Canyon. Since we obviously didn't have time for Rae Lakes, we settled on Mist Falls which we believe is closer to Easy than Moderate. It's about 9 miles round trip. The first 2/3 to 3/4 of the way to the falls is almost exclusively flat. VERY EASY. Be on the lookout for bears and other wildlife We saw bear poo on the trail and about 1 minute later we saw a small mother black bear. I'd say about 30-40 ft away. The last 1/3 to 1/4 of the hike to the falls is all uphill so be prepared to suck some wind for the last 45 minutes or so. The crazy thing is, the falls aren't even the best site to see. About half way up the incline portion, look back and you get an absolutely amazing view of the canyon. We got to this point at around 1pm. When we headed back this way around 2:30 the sun wasn't in a great position so make sure you start this hike at 11:30 or earlier. This is all the way at the end of the park / hwy 180, about an hour from the big stump entrance so plan accordingly. At 1pm the sun made for an amazing view. After this vista, it's another 20 minutes to the falls which were unspectacular. Especially since we've been to Niagara and Iguazu Falls. It was nice to chill and eat our sandwiches there but if you want a spot to chill, that vista was much better. Obviously on the way back it's all downhill or flat. Once we got back into the flat ground, about 30 minutes left in the hike, we saw what I think was the same mother black bear but this time with her cub. They were fishing by the water and made their way up the hill and across the path. I got way too close, taking pictures and she actually chased me for a second to scare me off. A little scary but an absolutely amazing experience. About 15 feet away. Probably shouldn't have gotten that close not only for my safety but out of respect to the bear and her cub. Great hike. Can definitely be done in regular sneakers if the trail is dry but we recommend trail shoes or hiking shoes. It took about 3.5 hrs round trip and that's with us stopping a million times to look at bears and walk down to the stream. Distance: 8.7 miles Duration: 3.5-4 hours Difficulty: 1 out of 5 Top tip: Remember to bring more water as the elevation can get to you. Dress in layers as it can get cold near the waterfall, carry a hat, and bring rain gear for long treks. Avoid cotton as it can absorb water and keep you cold. Also watch out for bears! read more
A fantastic hike, 9 miles round through pines, following the Kings River, up to Mist Falls. Stunning views, left and right, and a gradual climb of only a 1,000 feet, so an easy day by foot. We started at 64 degrees and finished at 80 degrees--starting to cook. Good we were in shade maybe 70% of the way. At the Mist Falls, waters streamed, slid down the smooth rock, falls face in places. Water careened around cracks and crevices. Water poured and crashed the river pool below. There were many facets and colors, and water speeds, that made it a wonder to sit and ponder the Mist Falls awhile. Of the black bear reports on the trail, we were not lucky to see one. Awesome, see my pic of the Falls! read more
4 years ago
Scenic, would recommend going early in the morning, not too many people, perfect for lunch, moderate to low intensity trail read more
8 years ago
Beautiful scenery. I definitely recommend, however it is not as easy as it sounds. The beginning of the trail is sand, after you pass the 2 mile mark it rapidly becomes steep and rocky. It was my first time hiking and the issue was not getting to Mist Falls, it was going back. Also, keep in mind that you are in bear country, and will most likely encounter one, we did. read more
12 years ago
This trail gets 5 stars because the end result is absolutely worth it. Yeah, it was kinda hard for me because I'm out of shape, but I did it! If you have good endurance and hike a lot or regularly keep your heart rate up for extended periods of time, then it probably won't be a problem for you. My boyfriend does manual labor for 8-10 hours a day, and he was cruising. I made us stop a few times along the way and also going back down. Going up, I was just dang tired. Going down, my feet and shins hurt. And oh lord, the mosquitoes. THE MOSQUITOESSSSS. Make sure you spray the crap out of yourself with repellant. I don't know what went wrong, but I got 20 bites and my boyfriend only got one. We both sprayed each other thoroughly. Maybe they just love my half-Pacific Islander blood ;P. Anyway, it's a HIKE. Bring a small backpack, plenty of water, some snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, and a camera (or at least your phone!). The hike starts out lightly through some flat-ish areas with trees sort of scattered. Then it gets a little thicker, and I think about 2 miles in (halfway?) you start to really head up through rocky areas. Then back down a little. Then up more. The landscape seems to change from what I mentioned before, to more rocky and canyon-y, to almost marsh-like and very forest-y? Then you know you're getting closer when you start to hear rushing water. Once you're more out in the open air and going up, look behind you every now and then. The view of the canyon looking south towards the direction you came gets more and more INCREDIBLE. Then it's not much further, and man, the mist from that waterfall is amaaaazing after that hike. I actually was afraid to have my camera out for too long because everything got so wet! The scenery is just so, so beautiful. The falls - refreshing and powerful. The overall area is majestic. We were lucky enough to do this hike when it was cloudy and overcast on the way up, so the only sun we got was right when we got to the falls and on the way back down. Also, if you want to feel more refreshed after you get back to your car at Road's End, you can walk a minute down to Muir Rock and go for an ice cold swim. The pictures I got from this hike were incredible, but they somehow still don't do it justice. read more
7 years ago
I took my four-year-old and 10-year-old all the way down into the falls amazing!! We saw a few beavers and two bears. It's a little bit hard to get down the falls but you can also stop at the falls and turn around read more
As great as Yosemite and sequoia national park is, one thing you can't hide is that it is an outdoors tourist destination so more than half of the time, the peace of seclusion hikes are mostly absent during your visit but luckily there is this park that no one really talks about, which is Kings canyons...a backpackers dream! The drive to Roads End trailhead (where mist fall starts) itself is a magnificent experience. The road passes through the high part of the canyons above the long trench of river offering an incredible view of this vast wilderness. It then connects the drive next to the raging rapids of the river never making the drive at all dull. Be aware though that this road winds a lot so if you have a passenger that gets car sickness easily, bring a paper bag along. Once you've reached your trailhead, there is a warning sign about bears and boy they weren't kidding. Do not leave food or anything that will leave a scent of it because bears will investigate your vehicle because I came back later that day with bear paws marked on the back of my trunk. And during this hike I ran to a bear on the trail but as tempting as it is, do not feed the bear or entertain yourself by following it to take more pictures of it. Last thing you want to do is to provoke it or accompany humans as a food source by giving it handouts. It would be sad to see a bear taken down because of human ignorance of wildlife. The bear just gave a small bluff charge since we were on the same trail headed on the opposite direction but I showed him my killer biceps and he appropriately got out the way. Black bears are usually harmless. I'm glad no grizzly exist in these area cuz my bicep would just have been an appetizer for it. Now the hike itself. Mist fall is about a 9mi round trip with 4.5 uphill and back downhill. I give it a 6 out of 10 when it comes to difficulty of the hike. As long as you have good endurance, this hike should be no problem. I only ran into several hikers with no group larger than 3 so it was very secluded and peaceful. Once you get to mist fall, it's about a 60ft fall with strong rapids and of course very misty. Don't be an idiot and jump in the river. Most have drowned this way. If you get caught in the rapids, likely of you getting out is unlikely. If you continue on, the trail leads you to paradise valley. A perfect place to camp out for the night if you brought your overnight gears but be sure you have a wilderness pass to spend the night. You can also discover other trails which I did, totaling my hike to 15mi and burning up over 3400 calories! But I had ice cream and pizza after that. I will visit this place again for sure to do the overnight experience. It's only 88 miles east of Fresno. read more
Mist Falls is no joke. After the 5 mile-ish hike starting at "Roads End", you will hit a majestic waterfall with a view that is breath-taking. Of course there are wonderful photo-ops along the trail that looks back into Kings Canyon as well as the Kings River. The hike has a lot of inclines and is quite difficult for those who are not used to longer rigorous activities. I come here every year since 2005 with my family and friends to enjoy some time in the great outdoors and we never fail to take this trail. Mist Falls also is quite refreshing to stand around after the hike since the hike is long and does get quite hot during the summer time. On top of that, there is a small pool of water where you can swim in if you can put up with the cold water. Caution to those who cannot swim well! All in all this trail is a must if you are visiting the area, just make sure you have proper equipment/attire as well as food/snacks and water because it does take anywhere between 3 to 6 hours round trip! Happy trailblazing my fellow Yelpers! read more
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Badger, CA 93603
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4 years ago
