Tar Gap Trail to Hockett Meadow

Tar Gap is a high-country out-and-back from Cold Spring Campground to Hockett Meadow. The mapped trail reaches the meadow’s north edge by the ranger station after about 9.3 miles one way, or 18.6 miles round trip. This is a full-day hike; allow about ten hours. The distance is unsettled: the NPS trailhead panel lists 10.9 miles one way and the park’s wilderness trail table says 12. Until a current map confirms the full route, plan for the longer posted distance.

The park describes a moderate climb through forest and lakes to alpine views, and notes that stock users travel this route. The route climbs onto the Hockett Plateau before reaching the meadow. There are no well-supported named stops or detailed crossing locations to promise along the way, so use a current wilderness map for navigation.

The meadow is a broad subalpine opening at about 8,499 feet. A low historic ranger station stands nearby, and late June into July is a usual wildflower season. Mule deer are reported grazing in the meadow, though sightings are never guaranteed. Tar Gap is one of several routes to Hockett Meadow; this description follows the approach from Cold Spring, not the Atwell-Hockett Trail.

Deer Creek is the first campsite, about 4 miles from Cold Spring. Turning there makes an 8-mile round trip and gives you a shorter version of the forest-and-lake walk without continuing to the plateau and meadow. Overnight camping requires a wilderness permit.

Begin at Tar Gap Trailhead in Cold Spring Campground off Mineral King Road. The trailhead has parking, a picnic table, a toilet and drinking water listed by the park. Pets are not allowed on park trails; service dogs are permitted. Any overnight trip in designated wilderness needs a permit, and the quota dates and process change by season, so check current permit information before planning to camp.