The 2.9 mile one-way trail to the White Chief Cirque is a steep but scenic hike up the west side of the Mineral King Valley. White Chief Peak rises above the cirque at 11,164 ft / 3403 m. The area has numerous sink holes and there is an extensive cave system to be explored by skilled climbers only. Caution should be taken as there are many deep caverns where on can fall a long way. White Chief mine, claimed by James Crabtree in 1873, made Mineral King a household name among miners of that time. Crabtree's ruined cabin, located near the meadow beyond the junction with the Eagle/Mosquito Lakes Trail, is perhaps the oldest remaining man made structure in the Mineral King area.