One of America's deepest gorges, Kings Canyon plunges more than 8000 feet and extends nearly eleven miles in length. Pristine alpine lakes reflect the surrounding silver-grey peaks, lupine and corn lilies flourish in meadows, and giant sequoias tower in world's largest stands of these ancient trees. This is the dramatic landscape of Kings Canyon National Park, southern neighbor to the more famous Yosemite. Cool your feet in the turbulent clear waters of the South Fork Kings River, enjoy a picnic beside raucous Mist Falls, ramble on creekside trails through forests fragrant with cedar and pine, or regain your perspective from the park's highest points. Where the highway ends, the adventures begin… Kings Canyon National Park: A Complete Hiker's Guide is the first comprehensive guide to the trails, campgrounds, outfitters, and facilities in the park and its environs. You'll find trips in neighboring Giant Sequoia National Monument, Sierra National Forest, and the Jennie Lakes and Monarch wilderness areas. Use this book to simplify your trip-planning--choose from 62 dayhikes, weekend overnights, or longer backpacks. --Trail descriptions emphasize route difficulty, elevation gain and loss, good times to go, and unique features

--Routes match the needs of everyone, from strong hikers and adventurous backpackers to families on summer holiday, dayhikers and nature enthusiasts

--Topographic and overview maps help you anticipate the park's diverse geography, while numerous pictures let you sample the scenery

--Special sidebars inspire your curiosity about everything from beavers to woodpeckers and aspen to yarrow; learn about prehistoric Native sites and fire ecology; find out the difference between stalactites and stalagmites in nearby caves