Kearsarge: Nature, Hiking and History

The following places and routes show different sides of the area—from the creekside in Onion Valley to historic sites and traces of mining.

Nature and Scenery Around Onion Valley

Onion Valley Campground, near Kearsarge, sits at an elevation of 9,200 feet, beside a creek and a lake. Its elevation and waterways give a stay in this landscape a distinct setting. Black bears, mountain lions, mule deer, pikas and fish live in the area; numerous bird species can also be found there. The wildlife ranges from larger mammals to birds and fish, without any one species alone defining the character of the area.

Hiking at Kearsarge Pass

The Kearsarge Pass Trail leads from Onion Valley, at 9,200 feet, to Kearsarge Pass at 11,700 feet. The climb is rated moderate. Beyond the pass, the trail enters Kings Canyon National Park. It also connects with the John Muir Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, and provides access to the Rae Lakes Loop. The route’s significance therefore extends beyond the climb to the pass: it is also part of a larger trail network.

The trail information also covers different scales. Flower Lake is the first campsite on the route to the pass, 3.5 miles from the trailhead. The Rae Lakes Loop, by contrast, is 41.4 miles long and climbs to 11,978 feet at Glen Pass. This distinguishes a specific landmark along the way from the overall length of the loop. Camping at Kearsarge Lakes is limited to two nights.

Museums, Gardens and Local History

The Eastern California Museum, near Kearsarge, features exhibits on the history of Inyo County and the natural and cultural heritage of the Owens Valley and the Eastern Sierra. The museum includes the Mary DeDecker Native Plant Garden, with numerous plants native to the Eastern Sierra. The museum and garden offer different perspectives: the museum brings together the region’s history, nature and culture, while the garden focuses on its native plants.

Manzanar National Historic Site offers another way to explore the region’s history. It includes historic orchards as well as numerous Japanese gardens and ponds. A restored auditorium from the former camp serves as the visitor center and park administration offices. The site thus combines landscaped outdoor spaces with a building that now plays a central role for the visitor center and park administration.

Mining history is also part of the area around Kearsarge. The Kearsarge Mining District was named after a Union battleship. In the spring of 1867, an avalanche destroyed eleven cabins in the Kearsarge mining camp. Mining activity in the district continued until about 1870. A historic wagon road connected the Kearsarge mining operations with Camp Independence. These details trace the story from the district’s name through a specific event to a connection between the mining operations of the time and Camp Independence.

Discover more destinations: Olancha, Lone Pine, Tecopa, Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley Junction, Big Pine, Death Valley, Independence.

For the broader travel overview: Inyo.