Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [379]
This trail traces a string of tarns, high-mountain lakes created by the scouring action of glaciers thousands of years ago. Heather Lake and Pear Lake are popular destinations along this route. From the trailhead, go east, avoiding the Long Meadow Trail. Climb up a moraine ridge and soon you'll be hiking above Wolverton Creek, which darts through small meadows strewn with wildflowers. At a junction with the Panther Gap Trail, head left toward Heather Lake. At a second junction, you have to choose. To the right is Hump Trail, a steep but always open trail. Left is the Watchtower Trail, which leads along a granite ledge blasted in the rock with dynamite. With the Tokopah Valley far below, this hike is not for those who suffer vertigo. Both trails wind up at Heather Lake. Camping is not allowed here, but is permitted farther up the trail at Pear and Emerald lakes.
Other Sports & Activities
Cross-Country Skiing. There are 35 miles of marked backcountry trails in the parks. Call ☎ 559/335-5500 for information in Grant Grove and ☎ 559/565-4070 for information in the Giant Forest area.
Fishing. A section of the south fork of the Kings River, the Kaweah drainage, and the parks' lakes are open all year for trout fishing—rainbow, brook, German brown, and golden. Most other waters are open for trout fishing from late April through mid-November, and open for other species year-round. California fishing licenses (available at stores in the park) are required for anglers 16 and older, and you should also get a copy of the National Park Service's fishing regulations, available at visitor centers.
Horseback Riding. Concessionaires in both parks and the adjacent national monument offer guided horseback and mule rides and overnight pack trips during the summer. In Kings Canyon, Cedar Grove Pack Station (☎ 559/565-3464 summer, 559/337-2314 winter) is about 1 mile east of Cedar Grove Village, and Grant Grove Stables (☎ 559/ 335-9292 summer, 559/337-2314 winter) is near Grant Grove Village. In Giant Sequoia National Monument, Horse Corral Pack Station is on Big Meadows Road, 10 miles east of Generals Highway (☎ 559/565-3404 summer, 559/564-6429 winter; www.horsecorral packers.com). The pack stations offer hourly rides as well as overnight treks. The stables offer day rides only. Rates range from $25 to $30 for a 1-hour ride to $75 to $100 for a full day in the saddle; call for rates for pack trips.
Snowshoeing. On winter weekends, rangers lead introductory snowshoe hikes in Grant Grove (☎ 559/565-4307) and Giant Forest (☎ 559/565-4436). Snowshoes are provided, and a $1 donation is requested.
White-Water Boating. The Kaweah and Upper Kings rivers in the parks are not open to boating, but several companies run trips just outside the parks. The thrilling roller-coaster ride through the rapids is a great way to not only see but also to experience these scenic rivers.
Kaweah White Water Adventures
(☎ 800/229-8658 or 559/561-1000; www.kaweahwhitewater.com) runs class III, IV, and V trips (rated moderate to difficult) on the Kaweah River. Trips are in inflatable kayaks or rafts and are offered from spring to early fall. Prices range from about $40 per person for a 2-hour trip to $130 per person (including lunch) for a full day. Offering trips on the Kaweah, Kings, Kern, and Merced rivers is Whitewater Voyages (☎ 800/400-RAFT; www.whitewater voyages.com). Rates range from $109 to $209 (including lunch) for full-day trips, and multiday trips are available (call for rates). Kings River Expeditions (☎ 800/846-3674 or 559/233-4881; www.kingsriver.com) specializes in rafting trips on the Kings. One-day trips cost $99 to $130 in spring, and $130 to $175 from mid-May until the season ends. Overnight trips are also available (call for rates).
Camping
There are numerous camping opportunities both within and surrounding Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. It's important to remember that proper food storage is required for the sake of the black bears in the parks as well as for your safety.