Sequoia National Park

[czmom]

So, we may have found a plan B for Mariposa being closed. Those of you who have been to Sequoia, how does this sound?

We would leave Yosemite Valley early and make the 3.5 hour drive to the General Grant grove area. We want to see the tree, of course, and anything else of interest. Then we would drive down the Generals Highway to see General Sherman. What other things are along the way that are worth stopping for? My kids are 6 & 8 and my health is not great, so only easy things

We would stay in Three Rivers at Comfort Inn for the night and head to Anaheim the next morning.

Are we crazy?? It looks fun and doesn't seem too bad! We will have just come from 2 nights in Yosemite, but really want to see the big trees.

 

[bcla]

I generally refer to the place as "SEKI" as do many who visit the Sierra Nevada. It's legally described as two national parks, but they're really one unit under a single management. Just something to think about when you're looking for information.

I'd actually recommend a budget cabin at the Grant Grove area if you could get one. It's certainly rustic, but a good deal and the location is ideal. However, if you're looking to just have a place to sleep on the way out, Visalia might be a better option than Three Rivers.

As for things to do, Moro Rock. Maybe Crystal Cave if you have enough time and can meet the cave tour schedule (and get tickets before the sell out).

 

[czmom]

I generally refer to the place as "SEKI" as do many who visit the Sierra Nevada. It's legally described as two national parks, but they're really one unit under a single management. Just something to think about when you're looking for information.

I'd actually recommend a budget cabin at the Grant Grove area if you could get one. It's certainly rustic, but a good deal and the location is ideal. However, if you're looking to just have a place to sleep on the way out, Visalia might be a better option than Three Rivers.

As for things to do, Moro Rock. Maybe Crystal Cave if you have enough time and can meet the cave tour schedule (and get tickets before the sell out).

Think we could hit all we want and make it to Visalia by 7?

 

[czmom]

My kids will love crystal cave!!! Hopefully we can get there in time for tickets

 

[bcla]

Think we could hit all we want and make it to Visalia by 7?

It's not much further to Visalia. Maybe a half hour?

My kids will love crystal cave!!! Hopefully we can get there in time for tickets

http://www.explorecrystalcave.com/uploads/7/6/1/4/7614889/tour_schedule_2015.pdf

The operations are by the Sequoia Natural History Association. It's kind of a narrow road leading there, plus a trail to the cave with poison oak along the side. It's not too bad, but of course be careful.

There's another cave in the area, but it's in the Giant Sequoia National Monument area operated by Sequoia National Forest. It's called Boyden Cavern, and it's operated by a private business, but subject to a Forest Service regulations. It's a lot less restrictive in terms of getting tours. Purchase is at the cave, while Crystal Cave tickets are purchased at a park visitor center (I think only Lodgepole?). OK - also Foothills, but that's all the way at the south entrance. I suppose it's kind of far away - on the way to the main section of Kings Canyon NP.

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

How far is Boyden Cavern from Wuksachi Lodge?

 

[bcla]

How far is Boyden Cavern from Wuksachi Lodge?

Little bit over an hour, but that can vary depending on traffic or road construction. It would typically be fit into a drive to Cedar Grove and Roads End.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Wuksachi+Lodge,+Wuksachi+Way,+Sequoia+National+Park,+CA/Boyden+Cavern+Adventures+&+Tours,+Sequoia+National+Forest,+18+Miles+East+of+Grant+Grove,+Kings+Canyon,+CA+93633/@36.7189902,-119.0067876,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x80955e7bbfa947a1:0x569f3289d86ec019!2m2!1d-118.752186!2d36.609499!1m5!1m1!1s0x8090a2be7bdf2037:0xb54bc86edd1f0b84!2m2!1d-118.819198!2d36.816156

There is an alternate route through 10 Mile Road. It's actually longer because of how winding it gets, but it's an interesting drive.

 

[elaine amj]

Have fun!! We are doing SEKI instead of Yosemite this trip. I want to see Yosemite, but my primary obsession right now is giant trees. Super excited!

 

[bcla]

Have fun!! We are doing SEKI instead of Yosemite this trip. I want to see Yosemite, but my primary obsession right now is giant trees. Super excited!

If you're willing to hike a bit, Redwood Mountain Grove is probably the best experience. It's the largest sequoia grove anywhere. No trees are marked with names. The grove has the tallest known sequoia. There's no paved trail, and off trail travel is allowed. Since visitation is so light, you can legally walk right up to any tree, which isn't allowed at Giant Forest or Grant Grove. It's technically in Kings Canyon National Park, but in a section that was annexed from Sequoia National Forest. When I visited, I did the Redwood Saddle loop, which is maybe six miles round trip, but not with a whole lot of elevation change.

I personally want to visit the North Coast to see redwoods. I've lived nearly all my life in Northern California, but have never been there. I've seen old growth coast redwoods, but nothing like the 300+ ft high redwoods in Mendocino, Humboldt, or Del Norte.

 

[elaine amj]

If you're willing to hike a bit, Redwood Mountain Grove is probably the best experience. It's the largest sequoia grove anywhere. No trees are marked with names. The grove has the tallest known sequoia. There's no paved trail, and off trail travel is allowed. Since visitation is so light, you can legally walk right up to any tree, which isn't allowed at Giant Forest or Grant Grove. It's technically in Kings Canyon National Park, but in a section that was annexed from Sequoia National Forest. When I visited, I did the Redwood Saddle loop, which is maybe six miles round trip, but not with a whole lot of elevation change.

I personally want to visit the North Coast to see redwoods. I've lived nearly all my life in Northern California, but have never been there. I've seen old growth coast redwoods, but nothing like the 300+ ft high redwoods in Mendocino, Humboldt, or Del Norte.

That is EXACTLY what I have planned!! Awesome to hear it is such a fabulous trail! Is there a difference between the Redwood Saddle loop you did and the Sugar Bowl loop this blog describes? My DH and DS prefer to keep their hikes to 1-2 hours. We are moving from a tent cabin in Grant Grove to a Hume Lake motel room that day so I am going to drop them off at the Hume Lake campground to go paintballing while my DD and myself do this 4 hour hike (just the hike length we were looking for).

And northern Cali redwoods is on my bucket list too. But I figure since DLR is a must, SEKI is the perfect compromise

 

[bcla]

That is EXACTLY what I have planned!! Awesome to hear it is such a fabulous trail! Is there a difference between the Redwood Saddle loop you did and the Sugar Bowl loop this blog describes? My DH and DS prefer to keep their hikes to 1-2 hours. We are moving from a tent cabin in Grant Grove to a Hume Lake motel room that day so I am going to drop them off at the Hume Lake campground to go paintballing while my DD and myself do this 4 hour hike (just the hike length we were looking for).

And northern Cali redwoods is on my bucket list too. But I figure since DLR is a must, SEKI is the perfect compromise

It's the same loop. The Park Service calls it the "Sugar Bowl Loop". I think of it as the "Redwood Saddle Loop" because that's the name of the trailhead. I did it with my wife, who isn't really that much of a hiker. It wasn't super exhausting. We were far more exhausted doing the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall in Yosemite, and that's only 3 miles round trip.

http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/upload/RedwoodCanyonInfo&Map.pdf

I'd just note that there are bears. It's not really near that many campgrounds, so they're not likely to be human habituated bears. We saw one with cubs when we did the hike. Totally freaked out my wife. I calmed down and took photos when I realized the bear didn't care and we kept a good distance.