Hiking Mineral King in Sequoia National Park: Franklin Lakes Trail to Rattlesnake Canyon

After a dizzying 1 hour drive off the main road that leads to Sequoia National Park, we come upon the quiet, majestic area known as Mineral King. Our adventure here didn’t go exactly as planned. We heeded to the Ranger’s suggestion of scrapping our original route and instead ventured through Franklin lake, with an end destination of Rattlesnake Canyon. As we hiked to Franklin lake, we honestly felt like the landscape was straight from Lord of the Rings. For a 4th of July weekend in a national park, we only passed a handful of small groups backpacking. The remote location of Mineral King definitely allows you to truly embrace the beautiful & peaceful nature that surrounds you.