The Top 20 Natural Monuments in John Muir Wilderness
John Muir Wilderness’s landscape is a beautiful place to explore — something that you can best experience by visiting one of our 20
beautiful natural monuments in John Muir Wilderness. To help you find the one for, you can see all the details you need to explore the best natural monuments, and better plan your next outdoor adventure!
beautiful natural monuments in John Muir Wilderness. To help you find the one for, you can see all the details you need to explore the best natural monuments, and better plan your next outdoor adventure!
Last updated: November 9, 2025
Mount Whitney
Highlight • Summit
With an elevation of 14,505 feet (4,421 meters), Mount Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States. The summit is the southern terminus of the famous John Muir …
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Silver Pass
Highlight • Mountain Pass
Silver Pass (10,781 feet) is the one of eight major passes you have to cross hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Although most of the other passes are named after a …
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Smithsonian Institution Shelter
Highlight • Mountain Hut
The Smithsonian Institution Shelter is also known as the Mount Whitney Summit Shelter.
Only four days after the first trail to the summit was completed in 1904, an employee of …
Only four days after the first trail to the summit was completed in 1904, an employee of …
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John Muir Wilderness Boundary - Kearsarge Pass Trail
Highlight • Trail
Hiking Permit required for overnight hikes, but at only about 4.6 miles distance from the trailhead parking at Onion Valley Road, Kearsage Pass is a fantastic short day hike to …
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First Lake
Highlight • Lake
First Lake is one of many reservoirs in this section of the John Muir Wilderness and Inyo National Forest. This is a gorgeous lake that you'll view from above from …
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Second Lake and Temple Crag
Highlight • Lake
The pictures taken from this small rocky outcrop above Second Lake, marked here by a tentsite symbol, are ICONIC. If the pictures above look familiar, that’s because… well.. they are! …
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Iva Bell Hot Springs ⛲ backpacking hike from Devil's Postpile National Monument, via Rainbow Falls and Fish Creek Trail
Highlight (Segment) • Natural Monument
Iva Bell Hot Springs hike from Devil's Postpile National Monument, using Fish Creek Trail from Rainbow Falls Trailhead is about 12 mile one way, usually backpacking with one or two …
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Lone Pine Lake
Highlight • Lake
A few miles after Whitney Portal you will find this scenic mountain lake, forming a nice pool all surrounded by rocks. The hike to the lake has some elevation gain, …
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Fish / Minnow Creek Trail Junction at Iva Bell Hot Springs♨️
Highlight • Natural Monument
At the crossing of Sharktooth creek the two trails meet: Fish Creek trail runs upstream along Sharktooth creek and turns north here, while Minnow Creek trail climbs in switchbacks south …
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Horton Lake
Highlight • Lake
A quick note to all of you thirsty, late season hikers out there!: Horton Lake is your last water source, and your next water source! There is no water in …
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Hungry Packer Lake
Highlight • Lake
Hungry Packer Lake rests nearly 2,000ft below the summit of Picture Peak, easily recognized by the notch sharply cut in it’s apex, and aptly named what with how frequently it …
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