Sphinx Lakes in Kings Canyon

One of the small bridges that cross the braided fingers of Bubbs Creek. Late season the bridges cross mostly dry creek-bed.

The Bridges

As the level section comes to an end near the confluence of Bubbs Creek and the South Fork of the Kings River, the true "yosemite" nature of Kings Canyon is revealed in impressive vertical walls and "The Sphinx" high overhead perched on top of a great granite edifice. The trail dips down into shaded meadow among towering old growth and eventually comes to a junction. Going left leads to Mist Falls, Paradise Valley and beyond. All this and "Beyond" will be explored in the next issue of "Sierra Trails". The trail to Sphinx Creek is the right fork over a large steel bridge spanning deep pools of the Kings River. The trail narrows and meanders among trees gaining some slight altitude and crosses several fingers of Bubbs Creek on wooden bridges that lead to the base of the switchbacks ahead.