The entire upper watershed of the Kern River, and the widely known Kern
Canyon, added to the park in 1926, is a spectacular area containing the
roughest and loftiest peaks of the entire Sierra Nevada, with Mount
Whitney at 14,494.7 feet elevation, the highest point in continental
United States, only barely thrusting its head above many others of
nearly equal height. In the center of this mass of mountain wonderland
is the Kern Canyon, with its colorful walls 3,000 feet high extending
north and south 25 miles. Hot springs and mineral springs are added
attractions, while fishing is unsurpassed anywhere in the Sierra. A
minimum of 2 weeks for a trip either by pack or foot is necessary
adequately to cover the wonders of this region, but it may be reached in
1 day from Mineral King to Kern Canyon Station (Camp Lewis or Soda
Springs). The new High Sierra Trail has linked the Big Trees of Giant
Forest to the Kern Canyon by a graded trail. It is a good 2-day journey
from Giant Forest to Kern Canyon.