Onion Valley & Kings Canyon National Park 

Onion Valley is in the Inyo National Forest and you may a hike directly into Kings Canyon National Park over  Kearsarge Pass from Onion Valley.  The pass includes a set of pinnacles - Kearsarge Pinnacles - and then drops into a magnificent valley with a series of lakes including one of my favorites Bull Frog Lake.  (When I hiked this trail you could camp at the Bull Frog but this is forbidden now.)  Even if you are not able to hike into King Canyon,  the views from the valley are special including a series of waterfalls.    To get to Onion Valley drive through Death Valley and continue on California route 190 until it forks at route 136 which takes you to little town of  Lone Pine.  Take US 395 north to Independence where you will you will find the Onion Valley Rd.  This road winds through mountains to Onion Valley.  The drive from Las Vegas is about  7 hours one way.  Lone Pine and Independence have a series of motels and restaurants and stores that will supply both hiking and fishing gear.   

Other Trips On-The-Way