u/Delicious_Photo_7001

I followed your recommendations and did the Mineral King - Timber Gap - Little 5 lakes - Big 5 lakes - Lost Cayon - Columbine lake - Monarch Lakes - Mineral King loop. It's a gorgeous and different day in the mountains - even though it goes up to 12 feet, it didn't feel like the high Sierra I have experienced so - modest but still intense landscape. I stopped by 13!!! lakes, swam in a few of them. Columbine lake basin was truly impressive, nested between two mountain passes.

A loop through Kings Canyon and Sequoia starts at Roads End to Avalanche Pass to Deadman Canyon, on toward Hamilton Lakes and Precipice Lake (a week after passing ithese lakes via the HST). Then down into Kern Canyon. Kern River at night was close to perfect - one of the quieter stretches of the trail, that was truly tempting me to sleep. Greeted sunrise at Colby Lake, washed off a day’s worth of dirt, and then closed the loop via Cloud Canyon back to Roads End. One continuous effort, start to finish - no camping, just forward momentum.
Being part of Sierra Oddyssey, this beast - Sierra Rex - clocks at 99 miles, 24k of gain and it doesn’t feel small. Wild, barely visited (three hikers during my time on it) and quite incredible.

Mapped what looks both awesome options. But if you have any advice which one is more scenic or cool, I’d appreciate! I’ll post photos on Monday :)

Day 1: We spent the night at Lodgepole Campground and took off from Crescent Meadow trailhead. The trail goes along the Middle Fork Kaweah River canyon, with wide-open views and shaded forest. There my friend and I split up to go at our own pace. The slight ascent becomes steep once you’re heading toward Hamilton Lake, and even steeper toward Precipice Lake. But those lakes are spectacular - I took a long lunch and swim break at Precipice. The views were too good! From there, crossed Kaweah Gap and into Big Arroyo canyon, then later into Kern River Canyon. The trail is smooth, some of the best in the Sierra.
As full moon rose, the 8,000-foot ascent to Whitney started - a well-paced series of switchbacks on smooth trail, mixed with some ups and downs. First rays of sun came out as I joined the cheerful crowd on top of Mt. Whitney. Views were spectacular all around. From there it’s probably the worst part of the trip — rocky, messy switchbacks down to Whitney Portal.

At the time I arrived - two minutes before sunrise - a cheerful crowd was already there. Whitney sunrise is epic and worth the early hike.

It was a cloudy day, but the area is still fantastic.

Got there 5:51! While it’s very popular with PCT passing by it, it’s one of the most scenic lakes starting from mammoth. I did that as a day trip, but saw plenty campers too.

Had a chance to finally see little lakes are - no wonder it’s crowded - this area is fantastic. After that we scampered off to few offtrail lakes as well, making it a bigger, yet fantastic loop.

Grinnel lake - once in Mono creek canyon, small marker indicates Grinnel lake trail - steep uphill trail, and part of it offtrail. Nevertheless - big lake in a barren landscape makes for a cool sight.

It was a bit of off trail adventure, but that lake is deep and gorgeous.

Passed by yesterday. One of most jaw dropping places in Sierra.

Took this one from Olancha peak, snow is gone, happy hiking!

The peak is the first snowy landmark to get clearly visible, here still more than 70 miles away, from PCT in Scodie Range.

Passed this at the edge of Jawbone Butterbredt BLM wilderness, on PCT. It’s just one pic, but juxtaposition of burned Joshua tree and spring flowers captured my eye. Happy spring!