Sequoia National Forest

An adventurous journey with 10+ mile hikes
Trek into the wilderness and sleep in the backcountry
Pups are welcome at camp and on hiking trails

Jumping into Jennie and Weaver Lakes in Sequoia National Forest

Jumping into Jennie and Weaver Lakes in Sequoia National Forest

Jumping into Jennie and Weaver Lakes in Sequoia National Forest

Jumping into Jennie and Weaver Lakes in Sequoia National Forest

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Last updated
March 8, 2022

Trip · 3-day backpacking trip

For · Friends and first-time backpackers

Vibe · Challenging and hard

Distance  · 17.5 mile loop and 2,992 feet of elevation gain

Permits · Register at the trailhead and apply to a CA Campfire permit online!

Drive · 3.5 hours from SF and LA

Ideal dates · April (after the snow has melted) to July

Pets · Welcome at camp and on trails!

Named after Jennie Ellis, a mountaineer's wife, Jennie Lakes Wilderness in Sequoia National Forest has 10,500 acres and 26 miles of hiking trails, with four of those routes venturing south to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. This place is blooming with wildflowers, alpine lakes (Jennie Lake being the largest) and pine forests. The neatest part is that you don't need a wilderness permit to camp in the backcountry. Trails will get busy on warm, summer weekends, but plan a visit during the spring and you'll get to experience a classic Sierra landscape, a high-altitude adventure & tranquil getaway all in one trip.

Official Forest Service Website

Directions to Trailhead

Main image credit: N/A

Stuff to know

  • Black bears do hang out in the Sierra so bring a bear-proof Ursack or bear canister to store your food overnight.
  • Apply to a CA campfire permit to operate a gas backpacking stove in the backcountry. It only takes a few minutes to complete online!
  • Most of Jennie Lakes Wilderness is above 7,000 feet so take some time to acclimatize to the altitude. Hike slowly and stay hydrated!
  • The dirt road to Fox Meadow Trailhead can be a bumpy ride. It's driveable in a sedan, but it'll be smoother in a 4WD vehicle.
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Weaver Lake in Jennie Lakes Wilderness
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Itinerary

Day One

Jennie Lakes Wilderness
Jennie Lakes Wilderness. Credit: Timothy Brox

Leave LA as early as possible

  • Last pit stop · Valero - 35468 East Kings Canyon Road in Squaw Valley

Drive and park at Fox Meadow Trailhead

  • t's a bumpy dirt road to Fox Meadow Trailhead so if the weather gets bad or if your car's not up for the off-road adventure, you can also park at Big Meadow Trailhead, which is accessible via paved roads. It does add about a mile and 400 feet of climbing to the trek.
  • You don't need a permit, but register yourself at the trailhead so park rangers know you're in the backcountry!

Hike Weaver Lake Trail towards Jennie Lake

  • It's a 5 mile hike with 1,127 feet of elevation gain to Jennie Lake
  • At the Weaver Lake Trail junction, stay right and climb up the hill towards Jennie Lake
  • Reach Poop Out Pass, which is accurately named if you haven't had a chance to acclimatize yet, but it's essentially a gentle, steady climb to reach the Pass. Take your time if you're feeling out of breath!

Set up camp at Jennie Lake

  • Huzzah! Congrats on making it to your first alpine lake of the trip! Take a break, eat some snacks and set up camp on the northern or western sides of the lake.
  • Jennie Lake is a popular wild trout fishing spot so don't be surprised if you find anglers trying to hook Rainbow and Brook trout

If you're feeling ambitious, climb to the peak above Jennie Lake

  • At the summit, find 200 degree views of the lake

Relax, unwind, and cook up dinner

  • Spend the rest of your evening chilling and swapping stories!

Car to camp: 5 miles - 1,127 feet of elevation gain - 3 to 4 hours

In 1953, Sada Coe, the daughter of Henry Willard Coe, gave her family's cattle ranch to CA. It became the park we have today.

Day Two

Weaver Lake
Weaver Lake

Make brekkie, pack up, and hike to Weaver Lake

  • Fill up on water (at least 2L per person), pack snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat, bug spray, and your lunch!
  • It's about an 8.5 mile gradual, downhill hike to Weaver Lake
  • Once you reach JO Pass, wander around the ridge and soak up some spectacular views of the area, before you take a left towards Weaver Lake
  • At the JO Pass, Weaver Lake, Rowell Meadow junction, turn left towards Weaver Lake. Keep an eye out for a good lunch spot because you're around the halfway point of the trek.

Reach Weaver Lake and set up camp!

  • There are actually 15 designated campsites with fire rings on the northern and western sides of Weaver Lake. Fire restrictions are in effect, but the campsites are well-spaced and worth snagging.

Enjoy a sunset dinner

  • Savor your last night in Jennie Lakes Wilderness and spend the rest of the night stargazing

Day hike: 8.5 miles - 4 to 5 hours

The Ohlone and the Northern Valley Yokuts were the area's earliest inhabitants. They were semi-nomadic tribes.

DAY THREE

Jennie Lakes Wilderness
Jennie Lakes Wilderness. Credit: Timothy Brox

Cook up breakfast, pack up, and hike back to Fox Meadow Trailhead

  • From Weaver Lake, you're only about a 2 mile hike, which is mostly downhill, from Fox Meadow Trailhead.

Return to car and grab a bite at Clingans Junction

  • Diners love their bagel sandwiches and baked goods
  • Located at 35591 East Kings Canyon Road in Squaw Valley
  • Open everyday except Tuesdays and Wednesdays · 8 AM to 2 PM

Camp to car: 2 miles - 1 to 2 hours

Head home!

Henry Coe is home to Orestimba Wilderness, one of 12 state park wilderness areas that's designed to preserve the area's natural ecosystems
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Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV

You won't be saving money, but you'll save space and weight with these camp sandals.

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REI Co-op Grand Hut 6 Tent

Sleepover! This is a tent you can stand up in and have plenty of space for air mattresses, doggos, and more.

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Camp Chef Everest 2 Burner Stove

A reliable, popular, and relatively affordable dual-burner camping stove that is fairly heavy, but performs well.

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FreeWheel Black Wheelchair Attachment

It's pricey, but the New York Times' Wirecutter recommended this attachment as a way for wheelchair users to navigate uneven terrain.

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Advantage Wallaby Wheelchair Down Under Catch All Bag

Instead of transporting stuff on your lap, use this storage bag to easily store items underneath your wheelchair.

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Purell Hand Sanitizer with Jelly Wrap Carrier

Never dig around your pack to find some hand sanitizer. Instead, hang this one on the outside of your pack.

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Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus 55L | 3500 CI

If you're an experienced backpacker, this is the lightest full-size, full-featured, frameless pack made.

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Ariceleo LED Battery Operated Fairy Lights

Add a little magic to your experience by hanging these twinkling lights around your tent every night.

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Coleman Camping Chair with Built-in 4 Can Cooler

Sometimes you just want a camp chair that gets the job done. Nothing glamorous or fancy. Well, this is it.

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Zpacks Duplex Tent

The more you backpack the lighter your shelter becomes, and the lighter it is, the more expensive it can be.

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Nemo Fillo Pillow

It's a heavier, bulkier pillow for ultralight backpackers, but you're guaranteed a good night's sleep.

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TETON Sports Polara Sleeping Bag

It's not the fairest of them all, but this affordable sleeping bag delivers on warmth and comfort.

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Food For The Sole Blueberry Banana Crunch

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Packit Gourmet Diner Deluxe Eggs with Sausage

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Campfire cinnamon roll ups

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Brookside Dark Chocolate Covered Blueberries

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Angie's Boom Chicka Pop

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Santa Cruz Organic Apple Sauce

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Summer rolls with almond butter satay

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Dan dan noodles

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Asian chicken lettuce wraps

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Pho ramen

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Curry ramen

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Peanut butter cheesecake overnight oats

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