White Chief

Are you ready to see some Mineral King footage that isn’t a road report or a show/sale report? We had the pleasure of hiking to White Chief with Hiking Buddy and The Farmer on Sunday, July 1.

Someone moved White Chief farther away than last year. They also tilted the trail to a steeper angle. I hate that.

It was a perfect day for a hike.
The Languid Ladies/Sierra Bluebells were still thick, normally only seen in late May and early June.
The bitter cherry were thick.
Bitter cherry blossoms.
Spring Creek was roaring, and we were thankful the bridge had been installed.
This was one of the unknown blues in the Blue/Purple chapter of Mineral King Wildflowers.
One of the well-loved White Chief junipers.
Discreet Creek (who named it that?) was flowing steadily for a change.

Trail Guy and the Farmer were well ahead of Hiking Buddy and me.
Lots of water in the first level area of White Chief. My feet lasted about 15 seconds in it.

We love this place.
The pointed peak is Mineral Peak, AKA Sawtooth’s Shadow.

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4 Comments

  1. Beautiful photos on a perfect “spring” day, Jana. Discreet CreeK? Sawtooth’s Shadow? Two names this old-timer has never heard before. The original name of Miner’s Peak was Little Matterhorn. The early MK folk loved comparing the area to the Alps. The ever steepening trails? They are simply telling you to slow down, absorb each scene and enjoy!

    • Thank you, Louise, for letting me in on other names. A trail map calls White Chief Creek “Discreet”. And a friend (I’ve forgotten who) called Miner’s Peak “Sawtooth’s Shadow”, so it isn’t a published name. I actually thought the name was Mineral Peak rather than Miner’s Peak. I thought the ever steepening trails were telling me to speed up and get my donkey in shape!

  2. “Someone moved White Chief farther away than last year. They also tilted the trail to a steeper angle.” Ha Ha ain’t it the truth! Seems to happen every year. . . .

    It’s been decades since I hikes to White Chief. It’s time!

    • Get walking, girlfriend! The trail isn’t getting any flatter.

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