The view from Moro Rock
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have a lot to offer. Together, they’re easily one of the best backpacking destinations in the United States. Backpackers will want to head to Mineral King (Sequoia) or Roads End (Kings Canyon). A more comfortable backpacking adventure leads to High Sierra Camp. This excursion lets you be wined and dined with three full meals made by an executive chef. If that doesn’t sound good enough, you’ll also have the luxury of sleeping in a tent cabin. Backpacking is popular in the High Sierra, but it’s not what most visitors have in mind when making a trip here. Camping and lodging facilities are available in the park. Facilities can fill up in summer. Avoid paying the premium for convenience and location within the park by staying in Visalia, CA or other gateway communities. Nearby dining, grocery stores, lodging, festivals, and attractions are listed in the What’s Nearby section.
Provided below is a sample three-day itinerary beginning in Sequoia and ending in Kings Canyon. Stop at a visitor center when it’s convenient. Browse the exhibits, watch a short introductory film, and squeeze a few ranger programs into the schedule below. Mineral King is great (and highly recommended), but the long and winding road is in relatively poor condition. Traveling to Mineral King requires at least a full day, but overnight is better. It has been omitted from the following itinerary because it’s somewhat off the beaten path. If touring Crystal Cave is on your list of things to do, remember that tickets must be purchased in advance at Lodgepole or Foothills Visitor Center (the earlier you go, the better). If you have a vehicle longer than 22 feet (trailers are included in length) and plan on entering Sequoia National Park via CA-198 you may have to turn around at Hospital Rock (6.1 miles in). You will not be able to drive to Big Trees (General Sherman/Giant Trees), Crystal Cave, Moro Rock, Lodgepole/Wuksachi Lodge directly from the entrance. You will have to exit the park and re-enter at Kings Canyon National Park via CA-180. This restriction is expected to last through May 2012.
Day 1: Enter Sequoia’s Ash Mountain Entrance via CA-198/Generals Highway. Moro Rock will appear to the north as you climb to around 6,000 feet in elevation. Take Crescent Meadows Road to Moro Rock. It’s a great place to get an outstanding view of the Sierra Nevada and valley below. Hopefully smog will not impede your views of this canyon carved by the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River. If you’d like to leave the driving to the park, during summer you can pick up a free shuttle at Moro Rock. Hop aboard and stop at Giant Forest Museum and General Sherman Tree. Otherwise, make the same stops in your car and don’t forget to drive through Tunnel Log (great spot for a photo), which is a short hike/drive northeast of Moro Rock.
Day 2: Today you’ll make your way over to Grant Grove Village and Kings Canyon. If you’d like to do a little more hiking, Little Baldy, Big Baldy and Redwood Canyon Trails are excellent choices located between Lodgepole Visitor Center and Grant Village. At Grant Village turn right at the visitor center and continue to Panoramic Point, where you’ll find a short hike to some of the best views near the roadway. Return to Grant Village to have a look at the Nation’s Christmas Tree, General Grant. Where you spend your second night depends on when you’re traveling and how much time you have. It’s another 30 miles from Grant Village to Cedar Grove where additional overnight accommodations are found.
Day 3: Saving the best for last, spend your final day hiking into the High Sierra from Kings Canyon’s Roads End Permit Station. Copper Creek, Mist Falls, Bubbs Creek Trails are all exceptional hikes. The only thing better than hiking one of these for a day is hiking them for 2, 3, 4, or more days.
If you choose to begin your vacation at Kings Canyon, ending it by hiking at Mineral King (Sequoia) provides a similar conclusion.