Trip Date: 5/16/2016

Location: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park

Permit/Pass: $30 Vehicle Pass - valid 1 through 7 days. Valid for Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and the Hume Lake District of Sequoia National Forest/Giant Sequoia National Monument.

$15 Individual Entry Pass - valid 1 through 7 days. Per person entrance fee for a visitor traveling on foot, bicycle, or for individuals traveling together in a vehicle as a non-commercial, organized group.

Trail Map: NPS Map, AmericanSouthwest.net

Directions: From California Highway 99 in the San Joaquin Valley take exit 96 onto CA-198 E towards Visalia. Continue to the Ash Mountain entrance of Sequoia National Park. From here drive the winding Generals Highway into the park about 19 miles to a signed right turn for the road to the General Sherman Tree trailhead. Follow the narrow road a half mile to another right turn, then a little over a half mile to the parking area and trailhead. The trail begins next to the restrooms and interpretive boards on the south side of the lot.

Synopsis: If you are impressed by the largest trees in the world you could hardly find a better way to spend an hour or two than this walk. As you follow the paths through the Giant Forest you pass some of the most impressive giant sequoia specimens in the park. And if you take the hike clockwise, as we did, you end with the General Sherman Tree, the largest living individual organism in the world.

Trail sequence: Sherman Tree trail / Congress Trail / Sherman Tree trail

Type: Balloon loop

Distance: 3.1 miles

Elevation: Min. -  6754', Max. - 7067'

Profile:

Rating: Easy-Moderate (factors: paved walk, crowds) 

Notes: This is a descend first, climb at the end hike so be prepared. Also, the entire path is paved, and I found that near the end I was developing some plantar fascia problems in one foot. Maybe consider walking it in tennis shoes rather than hiking boots.

Track: Congress Trail - Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP: GaiaGPS, Everytrail

Turn by Turn:

  -- Pick up the Sherman Tree trail by walking between the signboards on either side of the steps. There will probably be quite a few people joining you so it won't be hard to find. Be aware that this is a half-mile descent with about a 250' drop including many stairs.

  -- Before reaching the turn to the eponymous tree, there is a junction with the Congress Trail on the left. Take this route to begin the two-mile walk on the Congress Trail.

  -- It's all pretty straightforward from here as you eventually circle back to the north on your return trip. After you pass the "House" group of trees you'll come to another junction with several paths leading off in different directions. The trails are well marked so just be sure you find the Congress Trail arrow to continue your trek to the Sherman Tree.

  -- Eventually the Congress Trail dead-ends at the network of trails surrounding the Sherman Tree. Take any of these (you'll see the huge sequoia so you can hardly go wrong). There is also a short little walk around the base of the tree.

  -- Upon finishing your contemplation of the largest living thing on earth, head east along the main trail to pick up the path that heads north back up the ascent to the trailhead.

Photo Gallery: Flickr

Video: Youtube