California · Hiking

Potato Patch

Potato PatchPhoto: anon4809, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)
14.0 mi
round trip
2,019 ft
climb
5,253 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jan–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Potato Patch open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sequoia National Forest. It doesn't name Potato Patch, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

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

Potato Patch is a hard hike in the Kern River Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest in California, about 14 miles long with a one-way elevation gain of 2,019 feet. The trail is managed by the Forest Service and is an out-and-back route that climbs from a low point of about 3,324 feet to a high of about 5,253 feet. The trail is natural-surface and allows both horses and bikes. It is not an accessible trail. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 71°F and October highs around 73°F, while July and August average in the upper 80s. Nearby, the Cannell Trail and Pine Flat hikes are each about 2.3 miles away, and Camp Three Campground is about 3.7 miles off. Kernville Rock, also known as Kern Slabs, offers climbing about 4 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jan–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Potato Patch

    Best months: January–June and September–November. 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

      55° / 32°

    2. Feb

      56° / 32°

    3. Mar

      58° / 35°

    4. Apr

      63° / 37°

    5. May

      71° / 43°

    6. Jun

      82° / 51°

    7. Jul

      88° / 57°

    8. Aug

      89° / 56°

    9. Sep

      84° / 51°

    10. Oct

      73° / 45°

    11. Nov

      63° / 38°

    12. Dec

      54° / 32°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Loraine 5 Nne, CA, 27.3 mi away at 4,235 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.