• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument.

Covering 1,139,500 acres, the monument is tucked north of Sequoia National Park between the two sections of Kings Canyon National Park. (The national forest encompasses the monument and both parks, plus more territory.) Of the world’s sequoia groves, more than half are in the part of the forest that has been further protected as a national monument. Three National Recreation Trails and a section of the Pacific Crest Trail wind through the landscape. Four streams are designated National Wild and Scenic Rivers; some of the nation’s liveliest white water is found on the Forks section of the Kern. Lake Isabella (11,000 acres) is one of the area’s largest reservoirs. There’s cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in winter, 900 mi of trail for hiking, camping, and picnicking. Anglers go for 10- to 12-inch trout on Hume Lake (Hume Lake Rd., 3 mi. south of Rte. 180 93628) in Sequoia National Forest, also ideal for swimming and boating. Built as a mill pond, the lake supplied water for a flume that floated rough-cut sequoia lumber to the planing mill at Sanger, 54 mi below in the San Joaquin Valley. At the Hume Lake Forest Service District Office (35860 Kings Canyon Scenic Byway [Rte. 180] | 559/338–2251), pick up maps and books on the Hume Lake area. It’s open weekdays 8–4:30 year-round and Sat. 8–4:30 in summer. | Entrances: Forest Rd. off Generals Hwy. (Rte. 198), 7 mi southeast of Grant Grove; Hume Lake Rd. between Generals Hwy. (Rte. 198) and Kings Canyon Scenic Byway (Rte. 180); Kings Canyon Scenic Byway (Rte. 180) between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove | 559/784–1500 | www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia.

NEARBY ACTIVITIES

BOATING AND RAFTING

Kaweah White Water Adventures (559/561–1000 or 800/229–8658 | www.kaweah-whitewater.com) guides two-hour and full-day rafting trips, with some Class III rapids; longer trips may include some Class IV. The Class III white water east of Fresno is the venue for one- and two-day trips led by Kings River Expeditions (559/233–4881 or 800/846–3674 | www.kingsriver.com).

* * *

Previous Chapter | Beginning of Chapter | Next Chapter | Contents

WHERE TO EAT

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter | Contents

ABOUT THE RESTAURANTS

In Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, you can treat yourself (and the family) to a high-quality meal in a wonderful setting in the Wuksachi Dining Room, but otherwise you should keep your expectations modest. One good strategy is to embrace outdoor eating. You can grab bread, spreads, drinks, and fresh produce at one of several small grocery stores, or get take-out food from the Grant Grove Restaurant, the Cedar Grove Snack Bar, or one of the two small Lodgepole eateries. The nightly Wolverton Barbecue is a hybrid experience between dining in and picnicking out; the all-you-can-eat feast is staged on a patio that overlooks a sublime meadow. Between the parks and just off Generals Highway, the Montecito Sequoia Lodge has a year-round buffet.

SEQUOIA

Lodgepole Market and Snack Bar.

¢ | CAFE | The choices here run the gamut from simple to very simple, with the three counters only a few strides apart in a central eating complex. For hot food, venture into the snack bar. The deli sells prepackaged sandwiches along with ice cream scooped from tubs. You’ll find other prepackaged foods in the market. | Next to Lodgepole Visitor Center 93262 | 559/565–3301 | AE, D, DC, MC, V | Closed early Sept.–mid-Apr.

Wolverton Barbecue.

$ | BARBECUE | Weather permitting, diners congregate on a wooden porch that looks directly out onto a small but strikingly verdant meadow. In addition to the predictable meats such as ribs and chicken, the all-you-can-eat buffet has sides that include baked beans, corn on the cob, and potato salad. Following the meal, listen to a ranger talk and clear your throat for a campfire sing-along. Purchase tickets at Lodgepole Market, Wuksachi Lodge, or Wolverton Recreation Area’s office. | Wolverton Rd., 1½ mi northeast off