Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia’s sister park adjacent to the north, is home to soaring mountains, majestic granite formations, serene valleys, and spectacular wilderness best explored on a backpacking trip. multiple days (like the Deadman Canyon Loop, Rae Lakes Loop, or John Muir Trail). But for those who don’t have the time or energy to make it through the night, don’t despair! There are also a handful of scenic day hiking destinations, from lighter forays into the granite-peaked wilderness, where streams and lakes are plentiful and wildlife is plentiful. One such option is the 8-mile round trip to Mist Falls, a thundering waterfall on the South Fork of the Kings River and guardian of the peaceful Paradise Valley beyond. The first three-quarters of the hike are gentle, with limited elevation gain, but the last mile is impressive, climbing a hot and strenuous slope to the base of the falls. Cool off in the eponymous mist that, in spring and early summer, envelopes hikers who get too close to the splendid waterfall. Expect a good chance of spotting black bears, marmots, and other local creatures during the hike.
The hike
Although the driveway is paved and well marked throughout, the drive to Road’s End Trailhead In Canyon of the Kings is an adventure in itself. There’s really only one way in and out: follow the winding, circuitous Route 180 that descends from Grant Grove and the Kings Canyon Entrance Station into a deeply deep gorge carved by the South Fork of Kings River. (Note: The route leaves the park briefly, passing through national forest land, before re-entering Kings Canyon National Park. Allow an hour from Grant Grove to reach the trailhead.) Once at the bottom of the valley, pass Cedar Grove, where there is a campground, store and small visitor center, and follow Route 180 to End of the roadparking near the ranger station and wilderness permit office. It is a popular starting point for day hikers and overnighters venturing east and north into the wilderness.
The road to Mist Falls is actually a four-mile left dogleg, following the Kings River valley that surrounds Buck Peak (8,776 feet). The riverside scenery makes this a very pleasant hike with plenty of water, although the relatively low elevation (5 to 6,000 feet) can mean scorching summer temperatures. Be prepared for sun and heat, which may not seem debilitating during the first two easy miles of the hike, but can catch up with you when the route suddenly begins to climb rapidly.
From the ranger station, located just to the left of the Paradise Valley Trailhead east following signs for Bubbs Creek and Mist Falls (the distances appear to be incorrect, however, overestimating the length to the falls by about 8/10 miles). The shaded trail quickly crosses a short bridge over Copper Creek in 1/10 of a mile, then continues onto a flood plain above the Kings River. Sporadic open meadows provide a first view of the granite canyon walls to the south and east, revealing a version of Yosemite Valley (with a fraction of the crowds).
Continue among ponderosa pines and chunks of rock, out of sight (but not earshot) of the river, as the trail heads east. Cross a meadow dotted with manzanitas about a mile, at which point there is a feature named:The Sphinx (9,146′) — appeared upstream of the river.
For about 1.5 miles, hikers enter a gentle descent amid shady cedars and tufted rocks. Here, the path gradually begins to turn north, crossing on the right a pretty shaded flat area with horsetails and ferns (but also mosquitoes!). Passing through the fern landscape, the Paradise Valley Trail passes outcroppings on the left and eventually heads toward a trail junction. The wider track turns right and eventually comes to a bridge over the Kings River. This is the Bubbs Creek Trail, which connects to the Kanawyer Loop Trail and provides access, several miles further, to Vidette Meadow, Glen Pass, and the John Muir Trail. .
The road to Mist Falls, however, continues left, on a much narrower track that immediately begins to climb, a somewhat jarring change after nearly three kilometers of very easy walking. After a series of stairs, the slope eases and even descends, returning to within reach of the South Fork. Here the river is cascading and clogged with fallen wood; stop here for a snack and rest before continuing to the more difficult section beyond.
After another 1/3 mile of beautiful walking through a riparian environment, the Paradise Valley Trail crosses a small boulder field then returns to woods with less undergrowth. Parallel to the now roaring river, the trail begins to climb at a steeper pace about 2.75 miles.
The real work begins around mile 3, when the trail climbs steadily and suddenly finds itself paralleling a set of thundering waterfalls on the right. This viewpoint is worth the detour but is only a taste of what awaits us.
Climb a staircase to a beautiful area with small turquoise pools and intermittent waterfalls, then, a few steps further, enter an open section where one can begin to make out the outlines of the canyon before you.
This marks the start of arguably the most breathtaking part of the entire trip: after weaving back and forth to and away from the river, the trail climbs up a rocky slope offering the best views of the hike over the valley to the south . The V-shaped canyon perfectly frames the granite knobs of the Sphinx, a highly photogenic sight.
The vistas continue to improve as hikers progress, providing motivation amid this difficult climb. After the slickrock section, the trail climbs to an outcropping overlooking a booming drainage chute, an impressive (but unnamed) waterfall in its own right. It’s no Mist Falls, although it rivals the hiking destination in power, volume and roar.
Beyond this first fall, the slope eases a little and the thick shadow returns. It’s about ¼ mile from here to the first glimpse of Mist Falls, the terminus of the day hike. A small sign on the right marks where a social trail begins that descends to the west bank of the river, below the roaring waterfall.
Explore this area with caution, as the mist of the same name covers the rocks with moisture, making for slippery feet at best. During the dry season (late summer and fall), the flow of Mist Falls dissipates into a set of twin drops, but much of the year the water flows in a stormy current. Look across the river to see another drainage coming its way: this is Gardiner Creek, which also has a set of smaller but still roaring waterfalls.
Mist Falls will be the turnaround point for most, although ambitious day hikers can continue, climbing another 700 feet to Paradise Valley, a quiet spot popular with backpackers. For those who are content to return to the trailhead, find your way back to the main trail and hike 3.8 miles (this time largely downhill) to reach Road’s End.
In total, this challenging day hike should take 4-6 hours, leaving plenty of time in the day to explore the Cedar Grove area a little more before heading back up Highway 180 to Grant Grove and the beyond. Better yet, spend a few days in Kings Canyon to explore some of the other trails.