Seville Lake Trail

Seville Lake Trail is a 13.2-mile out-and-back from Rowell Meadow Trailhead to Seville Lake in Kings Canyon's backcountry. It is a full-day hike: allow about 7 to 8 hours, with a published GPS estimate of roughly 2,300 feet of climbing. The route climbs above 9,000 feet before dropping toward the lake basin, so the return includes a long climb back over high ground. Choose it for a proper wilderness day, not a quick lake stop.

From Rowell Meadow, take the Sugarloaf Entrance Trail on a gradual woodland climb. It crosses Rowell Creek before reaching a junction where you turn onto the Belle Canyon Entrance Trail. That leg passes through meadow and conifer forest, then descends into Belle Canyon. At the next junction, follow the Seville Lake Trail through the basin to the shore. Route signage is only average, so keep track of those turns. Return the same way.

A 1.6-mile figure describes only the named Seville Lakes segment between a Rowell Meadow Trail junction and the park boundary. It does not cover the full Rowell Meadow-to-lake outing described here.

Seville Lake sits beneath Kettle Peak, with rocky ridges framing the basin. The approach moves through mixed conifer woodland, open meadows and granite gardens; wildflowers are noted along the way. From the shore, look across the water toward Kettle Peak and leave a little shoreline in the frame to show the lake's setting.

Start at Rowell Meadow Trailhead, off Forest Road 13S14 in the Jennie Lakes Wilderness. The route continues into Kings Canyon National Park. If you camp overnight in the park, get the park wilderness permit for the Belle Canyon or Sugarloaf entry. Pets are allowed on trails in the surrounding national forest, but are prohibited on park trails; only service animals may continue with their handlers into the park.