State: California
Location: Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks
Length, One-Way: 9.9 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 6200 feet
Elevation Change: 1950 feet
Best Season: June to October
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate
Sierra National Forest Trailhead
Trail Information
This hike leads you past billowing falls at the East Fork bridge and through the East Fork Grove of giant sequoias to beautiful Hockett Meadows at the northern end of the Hockett Plateau. The Atwell-Hockett Trail heads south from Mineral King Road to Hockett Meadows Ranger Station. It heads through the East Fork Kaweah River drainage following an easy path. The trail gains only 1,900 feet in elevation and is popular with groups using horses.
The Atwell-Hockett Trail begins on Mineral King Road at the Atwell Campground. From this trailhead, at 6,650 feet, the trail heads south, descending into the East Fork Kaweah River valley. The path crosses the river then begins ascending out of the valley.
After about 1.5 miles, the Atwell-Hockett Trail crosses Deer Creek (el. 6,200 feet). The trail continues to slowly ascend and eventually joins Tar Gap Trail, a short distance after crossing Clover Creek. This is the first campsite along the trail, six miles from the trailhead. The trails combine and lead into Hockett Meadows. Within a mile of joining Tar Gap Trail, Atwell-Hockett crosses Horse Creek. The trail then becomes very flat. There are several trails that lead south from Hockett Meadow and can be used to form a loop through the area with Tar Gap Trail.
Directions
From Lookout Point Entrance:
Take Mineral King Road east to Atwell Mill Campground. The road is open during summer months only.
