California · Hiking · Near Silver City

Hospital Rock River Trailhead

Hospital Rock River Trailhead
2.3 mi
round trip
788 ft
climb
2,722 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Oct–May
best months

Is Hospital Rock River Trailhead open right now?

No closures listed

The National Park Service lists no closures for Sequoia National Park.

As of · Source: NPS · Sequoia National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

The Hospital Rock River Trailhead is an easy out-and-back hike in Sequoia National Park, managed by the National Park Service. The trail climbs from a low point of about 2,060 feet to a high of about 2,722 feet before descending to the Kaweah River, which runs through the foothill region of the park. The route is roughly 4.6 miles long, with an elevation gain of 788 feet. The Kaweah River is one of the park's most scenic spots, especially in spring and early summer when melting snow makes the water run high and dramatic. That's also when the current can be swifter than it looks. The official trail description warns that drowning is the most common cause of death in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and people who slip in can find it hard to get back out. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically May and October, when typical averages from a nearby weather station run near 79°F, while July and August average around 97°F. Climbers will find the Lower Lunchbox Area about 0.1 mile away and the Hospital Rock Area about 0.2 mile away. The Paradise Creek hike is about 0.4 mile away, and Potwisha Campground sits about 1.6 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Buckeye Flats Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.4 mi from the trail
  • If it rainsDavid Fulmer, CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Giant Forest Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 3.0 mi from Silver City

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: David Fulmer, CC BY 2.0 (commons)

More in Silver City

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Oct–May

    Best time to visit Hospital Rock River Trailhead

    Best months: October–May. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      58° / 38°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      60° / 41°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      64° / 43°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      69° / 45°

      7 wet

    5. May

      79° / 54°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      90° / 62°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      97° / 69°

      1 wet

    8. Aug

      97° / 68°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      91° / 62°

      1 wet

    10. Oct

      79° / 53°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      66° / 44°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      57° / 38°

      8 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ash Mtn, CA, 3.6 mi away at 1,708 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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