Once you’ve made your reservation, start the planning process by checking out these 12 amazing hikes in Sequoia National Park! These trails and sights along the way can all be accessed via the Sequoia Shuttle. Happy hiking!
Tokopah Falls Trail—
The Tokopah Falls Trail leads visitors along the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River to the grandeur of the waterfall of Tokopah Canyon. Accessed from the Lodgepole Campground, this trail is about 3.4 miles round-trip and is one of the easier hikes in the park, with only a slight upward grade.
// Green Route, Lodgepole Campground Stop
Huckleberry Trail—
Squatter’s Cabin, built in the early 1880s, and Washington Tree, formerly the second largest in the park, can both be found along the Huckleberry Trail. The 4-mile loop will also lead you to access points for other gems in Sequoia National Park, including Tharp’s Log, Crescent Meadow and the Congress Group.
// Green Route, Giant Forest Museum Stop
Crescent Meadow Loop Trail—
This quick and easy trail takes visitors along the outskirts of Crescent Meadow, a hotspot for wildlife activity as well as gorgeous wildflower blooms in the late spring and early summer. Both the Cleveland Tree and Chimney Tree are along the way.
// Grey Route, Crescent Meadow Stop
Moro Rock
—
While short, this 0.5-mile trail is no light stroll, as visitors will need to venture up more than 300 stone steps to reach the top of Moro Rock. The trek is well worth the work, as the view of the Great Western Divide to the west and the Generals Highway to the south will take your breath away.
// Grey Route, Moro Rock Stop
Congress Trail—
Congress Trail is a relaxed 2-mile loop, perfect for beginner hikers and families with small children. This trail features some of the most famous trees in the park, including the President Tree, Chief Sequoyah, General Lee, General McKinley, and the House and Senate Groups. It is also paved and, therefore, stroller and wheelchair accessible.
// Green Route, Upper & Lower Sherman Tree Stop
Tokopah Falls
—
The waterfall of Tokopah Canyon is one of the highest in California, measuring 1,200 feet high. To see it at its best, visit in early summer, when there is plenty of snowmelt from the Pear Lake region upstream. Be cautious, however, as the beautiful Tokopah Falls show little mercy to those who do not respect them.
// Green Route, Lodgepole Campground Stop
Circle Meadow Trail—
For an expedition deeper into the Giant Forest, head off the General Sherman Tree Trail onto this 3.3-mile loop and visit some of the park’s most popular landmarks, such as Chief Sequoyah, Black Arch, the Pillars of Hercules, Cattle Cabin, Founders Group and the Room Tree.
// Green Route, Upper Sherman Tree Trail Stop
Log Meadow Trail—
Accessed via Crescent Meadow Trail, Log Meadow Trail is a 2-mile loop around Log Meadow that leads to Tharp’s Log, the fallen-tree-turned-park’s-first-cabin that housed Hale Tharp during the summer, while his cattle roamed Log Meadow.
// Grey Route, Crescent Meadow Stop
Tharp’s Log
—
Named after the area’s first non-Native American resident, Hale Tharp, Tharp’s Log is the park’s oldest cabin, dating back to the 1860s. This fallen tree was originally hollowed out by fire, but Tharp transformed it into his summer home by building a cabin extension with fireplace, door and window at the wider end.
// Grey Route, Crescent Meadow Stop
Muir Grove Trail
—
The Muir Grove Trail, a tribute to wilderness explorer and naturalist John Muir, is one of the easier hikes, though it is 4 miles round-trip. This isolated hike allows visitors a chance to see some of the more secluded sequoias without leaving the trail.
// Purple Route, Dorst Creek Campground Stop
Squatter’s Cabin—
Squatter’s Cabin is the last relic of a socialist utopian group located in the Sierra Nevada called the Kaweah Colony. The colony is credited with much of the original exploration of the park area, and initially named what is now the General Sherman Tree the Karl Marx Tree. Built in the 1880s, this one-room cabin is located about 1.5 miles down the Huckleberry Trail.
// Green Route, Giant Forest Museum
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