Mineral King is a subalpine glacial valley located in the southern part of Sequoia National Park, in the U.S. state of California.

[6] The name Mineral King also refers to the historic mining camps and towns in and near the valley, including Silver City and Cabin Cove.

The settlements as a whole are referred to as the Mineral King Road Cultural Landscape, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

The valley floor is an expanse of open meadows with a narrow strip of riparian vegetation, including short trees and bushes, along the East Fork Kaweah River.

The primary purpose of these summer settlements was hunting and trading with the Paiutes, who lived east of the Sierra Nevada.

Attracted by the promise of mineral riches, O'Farrell returned to prospect and build a summer settlement on the East Fork of the Kaweah River, which came to be called Harry's Bend.

In the 1870s and 1880s, assays of precious metals in White Chief Canyon and on Empire Mountain led to the boomtown of Beulah.

In 1890 the groves were included in the boundaries of the newly established Sequoia National Park, encompassing the central portion of the road.

[12] By the 1920s and as part of the Sequoia National Forest, the area became a recreational center, reinforced by the destruction of most of the mining structures in landslides following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

(All of these communities, including Silver City, would later become part of the National Register of Historic Places' Mineral King Road Cultural Landscape.)

Disney had also met renowned University of Denver and Olympic ski coach Willy Schaeffler, and together they developed the village and mountain resort plans.

Its original plans then were changed to a proposal involving the construction of 14 ski lifts, and hotels and large parking areas.

The ski resort was never built, due to environmental concerns raised by a coalition of preservationists, led by the Sierra Club.

[13] After years of legal battles between pro-development and preservationist groups, the Mineral King Valley was annexed into Sequoia National Park in 1978 by an act of Congress.

The East Fork of the Kaweah River which runs through the valley is a small, high-gradient stream that supports a variety of bird and insect life.

The Mineral King Valley is accessed by a long, narrow, winding mountain road that leads 25 miles (40 km) generally southeast from the junction with Highway 198 near Three Rivers.

[15] No commercial services are available in the Mineral King Valley and visitors must bring food, camping supplies, firewood and other essentials with them.

There are a few public telephones scattered throughout the Mineral King Valley, notably at the Cold Springs Campground, a trail head parking lot and at the end of the road.

West Mineral King grew up around a place called Barton's Camp, and comprises 35 cabins, all of which are at their original locations and all of which are considered historic structures.

In addition to the cabins, the Atwell Mill ranger residence is preserved, exemplifying the National Park Service rustic style.