Hike throughout Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs over 3 days
- christopherwanstal
- Feb 13, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 10
3 day itinerary
Nestled on the western slopes of California's famous Sierra Nevada mountain range are two parks with extensive histories, now brought together to preserve nearly 1 million acres of stunning beauty. Three days in this delicate yet resilient eco-system will gift you an appreciation of the impressive scale of two great national parks!
Day 1
There are two main ways to access the park, and it may depend a little on where you choose to stay. There are options to camp in the park, as well as lodging at Wuksachi Lodge - the park's signature accommodation located in prime park real estate close to General Sherman Tree. However sometimes it can be cheaper to stay outside the park, such as in the town of Visalia, or a little closer such as around Lake Kaweah.
Start your day by entering Sequoia NP via the Ash Mountain Entrance, about 10 miles north of Lake Kaweah. Generals Highway will then guide you to the junction for Moro Rock, your first stop of the day and one of the more popular and narrow trails in the park - so it's always good to get there early!
Moro Rock towers above the road below, with an extensive railed staircase guiding you to a stunning viewpoint overlooking all of the features you'd expect to see in this corner of the Sierra Nevada. Lush forests and snow capped mountains are exhibited throughout much of the year. While a little steep in places and a challenge for those with a fear of heights, the hike itself is short and an hour or so here in total will probably be about enough.
Next on the agenda are the creatures which give the park its name. Stop off at the Giant Tree Museum to learn just how impressive Sequoias are, before seeing one of the most renowned - General Sherman. Standing 275ft tall, or 80m, the combination of height and diameter make this the biggest tree in the world! Get up close with a short trail around the tree and surrounding grove and stare up at its expansive network of branches which have helped support it for 2,200 years...!
A few minutes drive north of General Sherman is the Lodgepole visitor centre, and the trailhead for Tokopah Falls. Particularly impressive in early summer when the snow melt really starts to gather pace, these falls are another relatively simple hike, being about 4 miles round-trip out-and-back. Look out for the impressive Watchtower rock formation after a few creek crossings on your ascent. Be extra careful on the trail and never enter the water, as its force is incredibly deceptive even on days with lower flow!
Grab some lunch at The Lodgepole Market, with dine-in and take-away options available, then drive back south to reach the junction for Mineral King. Initially inhabited by the Yokuts tribe during the summer months to escape the high heat of California's Central Valley, this glacial valley was more recently mined for silver before becoming part of Sequoia NP in 1978.
The trails of Mineral King can offer solitude compared to the other areas of the park, but bear in mind the elevation at the floor of the Mineral King Valley is 7500 ft, which can make hiking strenuous - especially for less experienced or frequent hikers.
There's a few choices of lakes to hike to from just beyond Mineral King Ranger Station. Many of the hikes are around 8-10 miles round trip, so will definitely take you into the evening if you would like to reach one so make sure you come prepared with head torches, snacks and water. Monarch Lakes and Eagle Lake are great choices for a refreshing dip to end your first day in Sequoia!
Day 2
A small, separate finger of Kings Canyon is attached to Seqouia's western border, and this is where the majority of visitors reach by continuing to follow General's Highway. Within this segment sits Grant Grove Village, naturally home to General Grant - the second largest tree in both these parks, and the world!
Visually, this section of Kings Canyon isn't that different to what you would have seen yesterday throughout Sequoia. That will soon change though! Unless you're visiting in winter when the road is closed, take the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway north out of the park and into Sequoia National Forest, which will curve you around into the main segment of Kings Canyon. An amazing route especially when it opens up after the forested section, the road is well worth taking your time on, concluding at Road's End Permit Station in Cedar Grove.
Cedar Grove has some super hikes based around the valley. If you've been to Yosemite in the north of the Sierra Nevada before, you'll be forgiven for thinking you've returned there - with plenty of similarities in appearance! There is a short loop at Zumwalt Meadows, at around 1.5 miles long, or you can enjoy the longer Mist Falls - one of the premier hikes of KC...
Park at Road's End and start at the trailhead just past the Road's End Permit Station. A sandy trail, it follows the glaciated South Fork Canyon through forest and chaparral, past an impressive show of rapids and cascades, to one of the largest waterfalls in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The first part of the 8-mile round trip is relatively flat but steepens as you approach the main falls. Schedule in about 4 to 5 hours for this hike and take plenty of water as it is largely exposed, which can make it tricky in the summer heat.
Day 3
Back to the larger Sequoia NP for your third and final day, and an incredible day of hiking is in store. Aim to build up your fitness if needed before your trip to Sequoia so that you can take advantage of one of the two finest trails in this part of the Sierra Nevada. A degree of acclimatisation is also preferable, especially for Alta Peak, so consider how long you have been in the Sierra Nevada for in your trip and what altitude you normally live or hike at. You would probably want to have a high level of fitness and have been in the Sierra Nevada for a week before taking on Alta Peak, and maybe 2-3 days for Pear Lake - but everyone is different. You can read more about acclimatisation and the dangers of altitude sickness here.
Both trails start at the Lakes Trailhead near Tokopah Falls, but are considered to enter wilderness, so permits are required to access these hikes. Between May & September you will need to book a permit online, which can be done up to 6 months in advance, with a set number being available each day. Outside of the peak season during the winter months, you can fill out a permit from the nearest permit-issuing station, with the purpose of gathering your information for search and rescue purposes in worst-case scenarios. Read about how to acquire backcountry permits, and what you need to do to ensure your safety, here.
Option one is the challenging but beautiful hike to Pear Lake, a delightful area of calm nestled within three towering granite walls. At 12 miles round trip, the hike climbs from 7300 ft to around 9600 ft, mainly during the opening 3.5 miles. Take the right fork (Lakes Trail - The Hump) on your ascent before the trail starts to flatten and you'll reach some stunning alpine lakes - Heather, Aster & Emerald. The much larger Pear Lake then soon awaits you! On your return, take the right fork after passing Heather Lake which will take you to the base of the looming Watchtower. A truly special hike!
Option two is an even tougher trail to Alta Peak. With a significant elevation gain of almost 4000 ft in 7 miles, excellent fitness is a must. Expect this hike to take you at least 8 hours, and be aware of any signs of altitude sickness throughout. If you start to feel unwell, descend immediately.
The reward for such a hike and all your training is a series of expansive vistas. At the summit a stunning 360-degree view hosts the Sierra Crest to the northeast, and the Great Western Divide plus the Kaweah Peaks to the east. To the south and west are the rolling forested hills of the Kaweah Valley. Emerald and Pear Lake, nestled within their granite surrounds, lie far below you if you look towards the west.
If you love Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, or are simply keen to find out more about the awesome parks of the Pacific Coast, then check out our other guides for the region! And if we've perked your interest in Sequoia & Kings Canyon but don't know how to incorporate them into a longer trip, then please feel free to get in touch with us to discuss a custom itinerary!
