It’s hard not to draw comparisons between redwoods and sequoias, both the trees and the parks, having now seen both.
The trees are often described as cousins to one other. Sequoias are not quite as tall as coastal redwoods, but are much more massive thanks to their wider trunks. I think it is easier to view and appreciate sequoias simply because you can often see entire trees without killing your neck. Redwood trees, though, are generally more attractive as a whole, particularly when found in groves. It’s close.
The parks? They’s completely different.
What really struck us about Sequoia National Park is how well set up it is for massive numbers of visitors, at least in the main corridor along Generals Highway. There are a lot of paved walking trails with clear signs. The parking lots are decent sized, though probably still get overrun in the busy months. There is even a shuttle bus that runs during peak season.
This is vastly different from Redwood National and State Parks, which to us feel more rugged and not so finely developed, even in the more visited sections.
Our Sequoia experience began at the General Sherman Tree, surely the most popular and visited place in the park. We arrived about 9:30 AM. A lot of cars were already there, but it was not yet too busy.
From the parking lot a 0.5 mile long, and very wide, sidewalk leads to the General Sherman Tree, officially recognized as the world’s largest tree (by mass). At the start of the walk, signs warn that the tree is located 212 feet below and that the steep walk back up will be strenuous given the elevation change and thin air. It’s really not that bad, but the walk is probably more strenuous and time consuming than most people expect.
I’m surprised there aren’t more benches along the way, considering the number of old people huffing and puffing on the way up, including us.
After confirming that, yes, the General Sherman Tree is really massive, we set off to walk the Congress Loop Trail. I hesitate to say hike since the trail is very easy to walk and paved the entire way. Admittedly this might have been one of our favorite trails on the trip had it been dirt instead of asphalt.
Starting at the parking lot, the walk to and from the General Sherman Tree including the Congress Loop Trail is an easy 2.9 miles. When we finished around 11:30 AM, the short loop walk in front of the General Sherman Tree was very busy and the parking lost mostly full.
The usual admonition applies here – arrive early to avoid the worst of the crowds.
One benefit to Sequoia’s development is the Pinewood Picnic Area, a one way, circular drive with numerous picnic tables. Great location, plenty of parking and tables.
After lunch we parked in the lot across from the Giant Forest Museum. We didn’t actually go into the museum, but several trailheads begin here. We chose to walk the Big Trees Trail, a flat paved loop around a meadow with a few boardwalks and interpretive signs, totaling 1.2 miles from the museum.
Across the street is the Hazelwood Loop, about a 0.8 mile loop trail. This was not on our to do list, but it was there, we had time, and the trail is dirt. While not nice enough to be a destination (like Congress Loop or Big Trees Trail), this is a nice hike if you have the time.
Before leaving we walked over the Beetle Rock, maybe 0.2 miles roundtrip, from the parking lot. This is just a massive down sloping rock with sweeping views over the valley and distant peaks to the west of Sequoia. Keeping in mind that what goes down must come up, we walked downslope a bit, but not too far.
Our hotel for the evening, Buckeye Tree Lodge & Cabins, is on Sierra Drive, just past the Foothills Visitor Center and right outside the park’s border. The hotel is practically adjacent to the park’s entrance, but don’t let that fool you. The places in the park that you want to visit are about a 45 to 60 minute drive, or longer, up the mountain.
Not wanting to drive out in the dark, we left Sequoia in mid-afternoon to head to the hotel, check in, and find a place for dinner. Stephanie selected River View Grill & Bar, a nice restaurant with a simple menu (burgers, sandwiches, salads, and beer) and awesome outdoor patio over the river.
Buckeye Tree Lodge is great and dinner was good; otherwise, there’s not much else in Three Rivers, California, except a small grocery store that is really expensive.
Because of the 45 minute drive into the park, we got up and moving pretty early the next morning, but not ridiculously early. Since most visitors first go straight to General Sherman Tree, we figured we had some time before Moro Rock, Tunnel Tree, and Crescent Meadows became crowded.
On the way to Moro Rock I realized that I didn’t feel like walking up 350+ steps for what would have been decent but not great views on this particular morning. Instead we opted for the short and steep walk up to Hanging Rock, a similar but much less crowded viewpoint.
Next was a short drive over to the Tunnel Tree where we took the obligatory video of Stephanie driving our car through the tree:
At around 9:00 AM it was all clear to make this drive. Yesterday at 2:00 PM there was a 15 minute line of about a half dozen cars waiting to take turns to go through the tunnel while taking photographs and video.
Once our tourist video was done it was time to head to our final destination for the morning, Crescent Meadow. The plan was to hike the extended 2.3 mile loop around the meadows, taking in Tharp’s Log, Chimney Tree, and Squatter’s Cabin.
Regrettably, similar to one of our hikes in Kings Canyon National Park, we again ran into occasional swarms of gnats. A good hike is both challenging and rewarding. Fighting gnats is neither, so we shortened our hike to 1.3 miles. As best we could tell, the gnats were worst where ferns were predominant, which was about half the distance on our hike. Otherwise the gnats weren’t too bad.
Not wanting to fight the afternoon crowds, or more gnats, we called it day in Sequoia.
Hiking in Sequoia National Park, 6.4 miles:
General Sherman Tree and Congress Loop, 2.9 miles
Big Trees Trail, 1.2 miles
Hazelwood Loop Trail, 0.8 mile
Hanging Rock, 0.2 mile
Crescent Meadows Trail, 1.3 miles
Garrett and Stephanie
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