Mineral King

Mineral King is a historic valley in Sequoia National Park, California, stretching roughly 12 kilometers through the southern Sierra Nevada. Granite walls rise on both sides, forming a narrow gorge between the peaks.

Yokuts and Tubatulabal tribes used the valley in summer long before Harry O'Farrell discovered silver deposits in 1862. Mining settlements appeared in the following decades but most disappeared after a short time.

The name comes from silver discoveries in the 19th century, though most mines closed quickly. Today trails lead to abandoned wooden cabins and mining remnants from that era.

The narrow mountain road from Highway 198 runs roughly 40 kilometers to the valley and requires careful driving on winding sections. Two campgrounds with about 60 tent sites in total lie along the route in the forest.

Walt Disney Productions wanted to build a ski resort in the gorge during the 1960s. Environmental groups blocked the project through lawsuits, leading the valley to be protected eventually.