Trip Date: 5/15/2016

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 198 in Visalia take California Highway 63 north for 29 and a half miles to a junction with CA Hwy 180 (Kings Canyon Road). Turn right on 180 and proceed about 25 miles to a junction with in CA Hwy 198 on the right. Continue a little over 30 miles on Hwy 180 as it veers left (north) and passes Grant Grove before circling to the east and descending through Kings Canyon. Once you reach Cedar Grove turn left onto North Side Dr. and head north for a half mile to a right turn onto the Motor Nature Trail. Almost immediately after turning there will be a turnout on the left side of the road. This is the parking area and trailhead for Hotel Creek Trail. 

Synopsis: Since the Rough Fire parts of this loop are less green and growing, but it's still a spectacular hike. As you rise out of the canyon the views begin to open up to the east and south. At the Cedar Grove Overlook these views are given their greatest expression, but upon turning around one sees the equally impressive spectacle of the Monarch Divide laid out to the north. Try to take the trail in spring for a chance of catching an excellent wildflower display.

Trail sequence: Hotel Creek trail / Cedar Grove Overlook spur / Hotel Creek / Lewis Creek trail / Lewis Creek to Hotel Creek connector

Type: Loop

Distance: 7.4 miles

Elevation: Min. -  4416', Max. - 6233'

Profile:

Rating: Moderate-Difficult (factors: steep sections, elevation gain, altitude, dusty) 

Notes: The views from the Cedar Grove Overlook are a must-do. Shortening your hike by the mile or so won't be worth missing the panorama.

Track: Hotel Creek / Lewis Creek loop - Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP: GaiaGPS, Everytrail

Turn by Turn:

  -- The trail climbs north a few yards before turning to the east and climbing through shady forest for a short distance before beginning a long series of switchbacks up the south face of the mountainside.

  -- Having ascended a thousand feet or so the trail straightens out, but continues to climb to the west. Upon cresting the hill the trail junctions with the Cedar Creek Overlook trail on the left. Turn left (west) to follow the path as it first dips the rises and heads out to the viewpoint.

  -- After returning to the junction turn left (north) to continue on the Hotel Creek trail as it winds it's way through sparse (burned) areas, over a last rise, and descends to connect with the Lewis Creek trail. Turn left (southwest).

  -- The Lewis Creek trail descends for a little over two miles before meeting the road to Cedar Grove. Here you turn left (east) and follow the (faint at first) trail that connects back to the Hotel Creek trailhead.

  -- The trail rises and falls many times (but with nice views of the river to console) before finally descending in earnest to the trailhead return. 

Photo Gallery: Flickr

Video: Youtube