Hotel Creek - Lewis Creek Loop

This loop drops you into the Cedar Grove section of Kings Canyon, starting with a steady climb up Hotel Creek through a landscape still wearing the scars of a 1980 wildfire — which means open views where dense forest once stood, and a surprising amount of wildflower action in spring. The trail gains about 1,200 feet over exposed, sun-baked switchbacks before connecting to the Lewis Creek descent, where you'll find more shade and the sound of running water to keep you company. The burned-over terrain gives this hike a raw, almost lunar quality that most Kings Canyon visitors never see. The loop format means no retracing your steps, and the Cedar Grove views from the high point make the climb worth every drop of sweat. This one rewards hikers who appreciate landscape recovery and don't mind earning their views the hard way.