Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [372]
Organized Tours & Ranger Programs
Park rangers lead a variety of guided walks and hikes and present other programs, with the greatest number during the summer (check at visitor centers for the current schedule). In addition, the Sequoia Field Institute, HCR 89, Box 10, Three Rivers, CA 93271-9792 (☎ 559/565-3759; www.sequoiahistory. org), offers a number of field seminars on topics such as mountain wildflowers, photography, black bears, and, of course, giant sequoias. The programs typically run from 1 to 4 days, with fees of $50 to $75 for the 1-day seminars to $100 and up for multiday programs. Daylong van tours of Sequoia are available through Sequoia Sightseeing Tours (☎ 559/561-4189; www.sequoiatours.com) for $72 adults, $36 kids under 13.
Day Hikes
NEAR GIANT FOREST
Big Trees Trail
1.5 miles RT. Easy. Access: Giant Forest Museum.
A scenic loop walk among the sequoias, Big Trees Trail skirts the edge of a pretty meadow and has trailside exhibits that explain why this area is such a good habitat for sequoias. There are usually abundant wildflowers in Round Meadow in early summer. The trail, which has a 60-foot elevation change, is mostly paved, with some wooden boardwalk sections, and is wheelchair accessible.
Congress Trail
2 miles RT. Easy. Access: General Sherman Tree, just off the Generals Hwy., 2 miles northeast of Giant Forest Museum.
This walk circles some of Sequoia National Park's best-known and best-loved giants. The trail is a paved loop with a 200-foot elevation gain. Here you'll find the General Sherman Tree, considered the largest living tree on earth. Other giant sequoias along this loop include the President, Chief Sequoyah, General Lee, and McKinley trees. The Lincoln tree is nearby. Several groups of trees include the House and the Senate. Try standing in the middle of these small clusters of trees to gain the perspective of an ant at a picnic.
Crescent Meadow Loop
1.8 miles RT. Easy. Access: Crescent Meadow parking area.
The meadow is a large, picturesque clearing dotted with high grass and wildflowers, encircled by a forest of firs and sequoias. The park's oldest cabin (Tharp's Log) is along this route. This is a particularly nice hike in early morning and at dusk, when indirect sunlight allows photographers to take the best pictures.
Hazelwood Nature Trail
1 mile RT. Easy. Access: South side of the Generals Hwy., across from the road to Round Meadow.
Follow the signs for a pleasant, informative walk with exhibits that explain the relationship of trees, fire, and humans while winding among several stands of sequoias.
High Sierra Trail
9 miles RT. Moderate. Access: Near Crescent Meadow parking area restrooms.
This is one gateway to the backcountry, but the first few miles also make a great day hike. Along the way are spectacular views of the Kaweah River's middle fork and the Great Western Divide. The trail runs along a south-facing slope and is warm in spring and fall. Get an early start in summer. From the trailhead, cross two wooden bridges over Crescent Creek until you reach a junction. Tharp's Log is to the left, the High Sierra Trail to the right. Hike uphill and a bit farther on through the damage done by the Buckeye Fire of 1988, a blaze ignited by a discarded cigarette 3,000 feet below, near the Kaweah River. After .75 mile you'll reach Eagle View, which offers a picturesque vision of the Great Western Divide. To the south are the craggy Castle Rocks.
Continue to see Panther Rock, Alta Peak, and Alta Meadow. At 2.75 miles is a sign for the Wolverton Cutoff, a trail used as a stock route between the Wolverton trailhead and the high country. A bit farther on are Panther Creek and a small waterfall. At 3.25 miles is another fork of Panther Creek, and above is pink-and-gray Panther