Weaver Lake
Begins at the forest's mile 0, 36.7071, -118.8149 - no trailhead mapped Drive to where the trail begins
Jennie Lakes Wilderness the Forest Service's write-up
There is currently no fee to enter the Jennie Lakes Wilderness, however, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park charges entrance fees at the Big Stump and Ash Mountain entrance stations. There are no overnight wilderness permit fees in Sequoia National Forest, but we do ask that you fill out a voluntary registration card at the trailheads.<br /> Note: if you enter the Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks via the Jennie Lakes Wilderness, you must obtain a backcountry permit from the Park Service website or in person at their permit stations (Grant Grove Village or Lodgepole Village).
The 10,500-acre Jennie Lakes Wilderness is a lovely mixture of lakes, meadows, forests, and streams. Mostly above 7,000 feet in elevation, this wilderness contains scenic variations of alpine and sub-alpine forest of White & Red Fir, Lodgepole Pine, Western White Pine, Jeffrey & Ponderosa Pine, with an abundance of wildflowers in the spring and summer. The summit of Mitchell Peak is the highest point within Jennie Lakes Wilderness at 10,365 feet. Four trailheads access 26 miles of trails within the wilderness. Several of these trails also connect to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park's enormous backcountry.
There are four trailheads into Jennie Lakes Wilderness:
Stony Creek Trailhead
Big Meadows Trailhead
Rowell Meadow Trailhead
Marvin Pass Trailhead
Waste
Soap, even biodegradable, pollutes the water. Dispose of wash water at least 100 feet away from any water source.
Bury human waste in a hole six to eight inches deep a minimum of 100 feet away from any water source, trail or campsite.
Pack out toilet paper, feminine hygeine products and leftover food. Otherwise, animals can dig it up. It is never acceptable to bury trash. Follow the rule: 'if you pack it in, then pack it out.'
Camping
Camp sites must be at least 100 feet from trails, lakes, streams and any water source. Please use an existing site. Before leaving, 'naturalize' your campsite by removing signs of your use.
Obey posted signs prohibiting camping or other activities. Some campsites may be closed to allow the area to recover from overuse.
Trails
Cutting switchbacks in trails is prohibited. Shortcuts cause severe erosion, eventually destroying the trail.
Campfires - For ANY flame, a California Campfire Permit is required.
California Campfire permits can be obtained online at http://readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/ or at the Hume Lake Ranger District Office in Dunlap, or the Kings Canyon Visitor's Center in Grant Grove Village.
A lightweight backpacking stove is recommended. If a campfire is desired, build it in a manner that minimizes impact. Campfires should be at least 100 feet from lakes, streams and trails. Collect only dead and downed wood less than three inches in diameter. Remember: if you can't break it by hand, don't use it.
Use existing fire rings. Avoid building fires above tree-line.
Do not build a fire on exposed rock surfaces to prevent scarring.
If possible, use a fire blanket or a fire pan (like a pan used to change motor oil). Place several inches of soil in the bottom of the pan and build the fire on this. Always use extreme caution and avoid building fires in dry or windy conditions.
Motorized Equipment
Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport is prohibited. This includes the use of motor vehicles, motorboats, motorized equipment, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, game carts, portage wheels and the landing of aircraft including helicopters.
Minimum Impact Suggestions and Safety
Water: All water can carry giardia, protozoa that affect the human intestinal system, and can cause serious illness. Water can be treated by boiling for 5 minutes, using iodine tables or filtering.
Fires: Campfires are a tradition, but please consider their impacts:
Dead and downed wood is a component of the ecosystem
Concentrations of charcoal and ash sterilize soil so consider using a fire pan
Many visitors consider fire rings an eyesore
Food: Repackage food items to minimize plastic trash that you will need to pack out.
FOOD STORAGE AND BLACK BEARS
This is black bear country and therefore food must be stored properly when you are not preparing or eating it. Store anything with an odor even it's not food. Portable bear canisters are one way of properly storing food and can hold about one weeks worth of food for one hiker. Place canister on the ground at least 50 feet from your campsite. For more safety tips on canisters and bear safety in the Sierra, visit https://www.sierrawild.gov/ .
Once a black bear gets human food, their natural behavior changes. They can lose their fear of humans and become aggressive in their search for human food. In some cases, bears that have recieved human food must be destroyed. PLEASE do your part and help keep wildlife wild!