Big Trees Trail (P.O.I.)

SA Report: The little things

Trip Date: 7/31/2016

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 MapAmericanSouthwest.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 16 and a half miles. You'll see a signed right turn for the road to Moro Rock on the right, and on the left a turn into the parking lot for the Big Trees Museum (the museum is on the right side of the road. Turn left into the parking area, then cross the road to the museum where this hike begins.

Synopsis: If, like us, you just can't get enough of these amazing trees, you'll want to take this easy and enjoyable walk around a beautiful meadow ringed with incredible Giant Sequoia specimens. If you have a choice, hit this trail on a weekday, as it can be a bit overpopulated on busy days.

Trail sequence: Big Trees Trail

Type: Loop

Distance: 1.3 miles

Elevation: Min. -  6274', Max. - 6402'

Rating: Easy (factors: paved, crowded) 

Notes: We began the track for this trip after strolling through the Big Trees Museum here (it's well worth the effort). The return leg took us back to the parking area so the loop was never closed.

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

Turn by Turn:

  -- In front of the museum is (yet another) amazing Giant Sequoia. To the right (north) of this tree there is a paved path leading down through a covered bridge and heading along the south side of the road.

  -- After five hundred yards or so the path turns north and crosses the General's Highway. Here you'll find the junction with the meadow walk. Take the trail out around the meadow.

  -- After returning to the main path look for the signs that for return to the museum and, more importantly, the parking area. Follow the path as it climbs along the north side of the road, then forks. At the fork head uphill to the parking lot and your car.

Photos: Flickr