Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (Fodor's) - Fodor's [31]
Lodgepole Visitor Center.
Along with exhibits on the area’s geologic history, wildlife, and longtime American Indian inhabitants, the center screens an outstanding 22-minute film about bears. You can also buy books and maps here. | Generals Hwy. (Rte. 198), 21 mi north of Ash Mountain entrance 93262 | 559/565–4436 | June–Oct., daily 7–6; Nov.–May, weekends 7–6.
SEQUOIA IN ONE DAY
After spending the night in Visalia or Three Rivers—and provided your vehicle’s length does not exceed 22 feet—shove off early on Route 198 to Sequoia National Park’s Ash Mountain entrance. Pull over at the Hospital Rock picnic area to gaze up at the imposing granite formation of Moro Rock, which you later will climb. Heed signs that advise 10 MPH around tight turns as you climb 3,500 feet on Generals Highway to the Giant Forest Museum. Spend a half-hour there, then examine some firsthand by circling the lovely Round Meadow on the Big Trees Trail, which you must walk to from the museum or from its parking lot across the road.
Get back in your car and continue a few miles north on Generals Highway to see the jaw-dropping General Sherman Tree. Then set off on the Congress Trail so that you can be further awed by the Senate and House big-tree clusters. Buy your lunch at the Lodgepole complex, 2 mi to the north, and take it—or what you packed the night before—to the nearby Pinewood picnic area. Now you’re ready for the day’s big exercise, the mounting of Moro Rock.
You can either drive there or, if it is summer, park at the museum lot and take the free shuttle. Count on spending at least an hour for the 350-step ascent and descent, with a pause on top to appreciate the 360-degree view. Get back in the car, or on the shuttle, and proceed past the Auto Log to Crescent Meadow. Spend a relaxing hour or two strolling on the trails that pass by, among other things, Tharp’s Log. By now you’ve probably renewed your appetite; head to the Wolverton Barbecue (summer evenings only) or the highly regarded restaurant at Wuksachi Lodge.
EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS
Sequoia Sightseeing Tours offers daily guided tours through Sequoia. Visitor centers have maps for self-guided tours of the park. Ranger-led walks and programs take place throughout the year in Lodgepole Village and Wuksachi Lodge. Forest Service campgrounds have activities from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Schedules for activities are posted on bulletin boards and at visitor centers.
CLASSES AND SEMINARS
Evening Programs.
In summer, the park shows documentary films and slide shows, and has evening lectures. Locations and times vary; pick up a schedule at any visitor center or check bulletin boards near ranger stations. | 559/565–3341.
Seminars.
Expert naturalists lead seminars on a range of topics, including birds, wildflowers, geology, botany, photography, park history, backpacking, and pathfinding. Some courses offer transferable credits. Reserve in advance. For information and prices, pick up a course catalogue at any visitor center or contact the Sequoia Natural History Association (559/565–3759 | www.sequoiahistory.org).
Sequoia Sightseeing Tours.
The only licensed tour operator in either park offers daily interpretive sightseeing tours in a 10-passenger van with a friendly, knowledgeable guide. Reservations are essential. They also offer private tours of Kings Canyon. | 559/561–4489 | www.sequoiatours.com.
MUSEUMS AND NATURE CENTERS
Beetle Rock Family Nature Center.
Across the road from Giant Forest Museum, the center has interactive exhibits and a children’s bookstore. Beetle Rock Rollick, a ranger-led family program, is conducted at 2 PM daily. On the massive rock, children have lots of room to run around and climb on smooth and gentle slopes. | Generals Hwy., 4 mi south of Lodgepole Visitor Center 93262 | 559/565–4251 | Free | Early July–late Aug., daily