California · Hiking · Near Silver City

Middle Fork Trailhead

Middle Fork TrailheadPhoto: NPS/Cate Blanch
8.6 mi
round trip
2,154 ft
climb
5,070 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Middle Fork 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.

This trailhead orientation panel shows a map and photos of the Middle Fork area. In fall 2021, the KNP Complex Wildfire burned much of the surrounding area. While wilderness permits are available for this area, if you enter here, nearby exit points may be closed due to extensive damage during 2023 winter storms, including but not limited to trailheads exiting in the Mineral King and Cedar Grove area. Please be sure you exit the wilderness in an open area. Consult the closed area map for more details. If you start a wilderness trip here, please obtain a wilderness permit at the Foothills Visitor Center. Directions To access this trailhead, follow the Generals Highway. Directly across from the Hospital Rock Picnic Area, turn onto the Buckeye Flat Campground Road. From here, you will encounter a dirt road on the left—turn here to follow the narrow, often-times single lane Middle Fork Access Road to the trailhead. Parking is extermely limited here (~8 vehicles). This road is closed during rainy weather, and during the winter season (late September to early April). During this time of year, park at the Hospital Rock Picnic Area and walk in.

Around this trail

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

    Buckeye Flat Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.8 mi from the trail
  • If it rainsDavid Fulmer, CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Giant Forest Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 2.8 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 · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Middle Fork Trailhead

    Best months: May–October. 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

      46° / 26°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      46° / 25°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 27°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      52° / 30°

      7 wet

    5. May

      60° / 38°

      5 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 46°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      79° / 52°

      1 wet

    8. Aug

      79° / 52°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 47°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      63° / 39°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      53° / 32°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      46° / 25°

      8 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Grant Grove, CA, 18.6 mi away at 6,580 ft. The station sits about 1,500 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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