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.
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
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.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
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.
More Sequoia-Kings Canyon Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Sequoia National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
Most importantly, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park is bear country, and while hiking in black bear territory generally presents less of a risk as opposed to hiking with grizzlies, it‘s important to never get complacent.
That being said, bear spray is not allowed within either Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Park, but storing your food properly, both on your person and in your vehicle, is not only necessary but required. For this reason, always keep your food and trash with you, and follow these basic rules from the NPS with regards to food in your vehicle.
On a different note, there is one venomous snake found in both parks known as the Western Rattlesnake, and surprisingly, I have encountered it many times, both in dry landscapes and in the meadows of both parks.
Finally, during winter months, you may be required to carry tire chains or have them on your vehicle before entering either park. In addition, micro-spikes may be necessary to stay safe on certain trails, such as Little Baldy and many others during the early and late summer season.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park website.
National Park Service: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
Noah Lang Photography LLC makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided here, and readers should use their own discretion, judgement, and seek professional advice where it is appropriate.
Furthermore, Noah Lang Photography LLC shall not be held responsible for any injuries, lost individuals, or legal issues arising from the use of information provided on this website, and if applicable, the above safety disclaimer should be referenced to provide a generic overview of the risks involved.
All said, the content on this blog is for the sole use of Noah Lang Photography LLC, and unauthorized use or reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited.
Disclosure
This post is not sponsored.
However, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission if a purchase is made through one of those links. This commission comes at no additional cost to you, and I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support, which enables me to continue creating more!
To read the full privacy policy, click here.
About This Blog
Noah Lang Photography, also known as @noahawaii, is 100% reader-supported!
I do not accept guest articles or sponsored content of any kind on my blog, which is why, if you enjoy the outdoor and travel content I create, please consider buying me a coffee!
I appreciate your support, which helps me continue to keep this blog alive!
