Parking
Kern Hot Spring is a backcountry stop reached on foot, not a roadside trailhead. Park at the actual High Sierra Trail access point for your itinerary.
Overview
About Moraine Lake Trail
Why go
- A varied route from river canyon to high plateau and alpine lake.
- Views across Moraine Lake toward the Great Western Divide.
- The lake branch adds a destination to the High Sierra Trail.
Heads up
- Long one-way wilderness access with no nearby roadside trailhead.
- Sustained high-country climb with substantial elevation gain.
- Reliable water on the ascent is not established.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Sequoia map
Full mapElevation6,824–9,337 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
8 active Sequoia alerts
- CautionStage 1 fire restrictionsStage 1 fire restrictions are in effect due to high fire danger and catastrophic-wildfire risk; the restrictions reduce the possibility of accidental human-caused fires that could threaten visitors…Official details
- ClosureGrant Grove trails and areas closed for prescribed burnSome trails and areas around Grant Grove and the General Grant Tree are closed for safety during a prescribed burn and until they are cleared of hazards.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Sequoia Tour Guide
Your drive to Moraine Lake Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Sequoia National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Sequoia audio tour- 71 audio storiesacross Sequoia’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Black Bear, Mountain Lion, Bobcat, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 99 trails, 68 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“…The kids and my husband and I all agree that the narration really added to our experience driving through the parks. We learned so much about the history and the flora & fauna.”
Trail guide
Hiking Moraine Lake Trail
A one-way backcountry segmentFrom Kern Hot Spring, follow the High Sierra Trail corridor 8.3 miles one way to Moraine Lake.
From Kern Hot Spring, follow the High Sierra Trail corridor 8.3 miles one way to Moraine Lake. Plan around six hours on foot; one backpacking account recorded about 3,317 feet of ascent, 948 feet of descent and 5 hours 30 minutes elapsed. This is a strenuous piece of a wilderness itinerary, not a roadside day hike. The mapped line measures about 7.2 miles, so use it as an approximate corridor rather than a precise mileage guide.
Along the Kern RiverThe opening stretch drops alongside the Kern River for roughly two miles.
The opening stretch drops alongside the Kern River for roughly two miles. A wooden bridge and views across the canyon toward Chagoopa Falls mark the lower route. A shallow Chagoopa Creek crossing comes before the trail leaves the canyon and reaches Upper Funston Meadow.
Climbing toward Chagoopa PlateauBeyond Upper Funston Meadow, granite and gravel switchbacks climb toward the plateau.
Beyond Upper Funston Meadow, granite and gravel switchbacks climb toward the plateau. Higher ground opens occasional views before the route levels through wooded terrain. One outing reported a tributary of Funston Creek near mile 4.5, but flow is not dependable; carry a water plan and treat natural water.
Moraine LakeThe tree-fringed lake sits above 9,000 feet, with a view across the water toward the Great…
The tree-fringed lake sits above 9,000 feet, with a view across the water toward the Great Western Divide from its northeastern shore. Trees, reeds and downed wood can limit the shoreline view and access, so an open reflection is not guaranteed.
Continue or take the plateau bypassThe lake branch continues about one mile beyond Moraine Lake to meet the High Sierra Trail…
The lake branch continues about one mile beyond Moraine Lake to meet the High Sierra Trail again at Sky Parlor Meadow. A direct Chagoopa Plateau route skips the lake and is about 0.8 mile shorter. This trail record covers the Kern Hot Spring approach to the lake; it does not represent the bypass or a loop.
Plan for wilderness accessA High Sierra Trail wilderness permit is required for this segment.
A High Sierra Trail wilderness permit is required for this segment. Kern Hot Spring is a backcountry stop reached on foot, not a roadside trailhead; arrange vehicle parking at the actual access point for your itinerary. Pets are prohibited on park trails, except service animals. Check current park notices for closures and water conditions before setting out.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Sequoia
691 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
17 sightingsMountain LionMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
18 sightingsBobcatMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
24 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
15 sightingsGolden EagleMost seen around 11 AMSighting map
20 sightingsSpotted OwlMost seen around 7 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Sequoia. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
