Hiking the North Boundary-Lone Pine Loop Trail in Kings Canyon National Park
Distance: 4.5 miles / 7.2 km
The North Boundary-Lone Pine Loop Trail is a day hike not often considered by most who visit the Grant Grove District of Kings Canyon National Park.
That being said, it’s not my top recommendation for first-time visitors in Kings Canyon, as there are countless other day hikes in the area that I would prioritize over this loop, such as Panoramic Point, the Buena Vista Trail, and even Big Baldy, to name a few.
I say this because the most beautiful portion of the entire 4.5-mile (7.2 km) hike is the short section that passes by the Grant Tree Trail, essentially making the rest of the loop a quiet and seldom-hiked adventure to look for wildlife.
North Boundary-Lone Pine Loop Trailhead Parking
The North Boundary-Lone Pine Loop Trail could begin at a number of different trailheads, such as the Grant Tree Trail, the Crystal Springs Campground, or even the Grant Grove Stables. However, my personal recommendation is to park at the North Boundary Trailhead, where the loop crosses Highway 180, because it is one of the easiest to utilize, as few, if any, hikers park here.
This is the small turnout shown below, located about 1.3 miles (2.1 km) north of Grant Grove Village on the right-hand side.
Google Maps Directions: North Boundary-Lone Pine Loop Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Sequoia-Kings Canyon
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.
That being said, bear spray is purposefully excluded from this list because, while the Sierra Nevadas are home to a large black bear population, bear spray is not allowed in either Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Park.
Hiking the North Boundary-Lone Pine Loop Trail
From the North Boundary Trailhead at the Highway 180 crossing, I chose to cross over to the west side, hiking the loop in the counterclockwise direction.
Abbott Creek
In the beginning, the North Boundary Trail simply traverses in and out of numerous small drainages, with the most significant being Abbott Creek, shown here.
Similar to a number of nearby trails with minimal shade, I highly recommend hiking in a hooded sun shirt for these longer adventures, as it is undoubtedly the best way to stay safe at these upper elevations over the course of a multi-day visit.
North Boundary-Corral Junction
At roughly 1.3 miles (2.1 km) from the Highway 180 trailhead, the North Boundary Trail meets the Corral Trail.
In short, the Corral Trail is more or less a way to shortcut the full 4.5-mile (7.2 km) loop by about 0.4 miles (0.6 km).
That being said, I recommend against following it, as it also bypasses the most beautiful section of the loop near the General Grant Tree.
These purple flowers along the North Boundary Trail are Fireweed, a common native here and across much of western North America.
When the North Boundary Trail starts to get close to the General Grant Tree, the trail begins climbing, which is a nice sign that you’re nearing the start of the Lone Pine Trail.
This area on the upper side of the Grant Tree Trail is arguably the most beautiful section of the entire 4.5-mile (7.2 km) loop, and it’s where the cover photo above was taken.
North Boundary-Lone Pine-General Grant Tree Junction
After about 2.2 miles (3.5 km), the North Boundary Trail reaches the Grant Tree Trail. This is why I mentioned earlier that the Grant Tree Trailhead is an option for accessing the loop.
In any case, go left (straight) to continue back toward Highway 180, with the Corral junction located just a short distance ahead.
Read My Separate Post: General Grant Tree Trail
Lone Pine Trail
After the General Grant Junction, the Lone Pine Trail begins, continuing for most of the remaining loop, with the exception of the last 0.2 miles (0.3 km) to the North Boundary Trailhead off Highway 180.
Lone Pine-Corral Junction
This is where the Corral Trail, which split away from the North Boundary Trail previously, meets back up with the loop.
That being said, go right, and the Grant Grove Stables will be found shortly ahead.
Grant Grove Stables
When the North Boundary-Lone Pine Loop reaches the stables, simply follow the road out to the highway where the Lone Pine Trail will separate shortly before crossing.
When the Lone Pine Trail nears Highway 180, go left up the service road to find where the Lone Pine Trail crosses to the other side.
Lone Pine-Service Road Junction
This inconspicuous right-hand turn toward the highway is where the Lone Pine Trail continues in the direction of the Crystal Springs Campground.
Once on the far side, go left up the road until the Lone Pine Trail toward the Crystal Springs Campground becomes more obvious.
Crystal Springs Campground
For those staying at the Crystal Springs Campground, the North Boundary-Lone Pine Loop could easily begin at this trailhead.
Lone Pine-Manzanita Connector Junction
As the Lone Pine Trail begins to leave the Crystal Springs Campground, it passes one more junction: the connector that leads to the Manzanita Trail below Park Ridge.
That being said, go left on the much more obvious Lone Pine Trail to continue back to the beginning, about 1.0 mile (1.6 km) away.
Abbott Creek
It’s a nice sign that the Lone Pine Trail is about to reconnect with the North Boundary Trail from the beginning when the loop crosses Abbott Creek for the second time.
North Boundary-Lone Pine Junction
After roughly 0.8 miles (1.3 km) from the Manzanita junction at Crystal Springs, the Lone Pine Trail reconnects with the North Boundary Trail.
Here, go left to return to the Highway 180 trailhead, which is about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) away from this junction.
Overall, I think it’s important to emphasize again that the North Boundary-Lone Pine Loop Trail is not my top recommendation when visiting the Grant Grove District of Kings Canyon National Park.
Nevertheless, I was happy to have experienced a much quieter part of this busy area, as escaping the crowds in other parts of the park can sometimes feel like a challenge.
Sequoia National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
