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Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

A day trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National parks due to Covid-19. It’s a place definitely worth more than a day. Sequoia National park and Kings Canyon are very close and both are distinct.

We entered to the park from Three rivers city and exited from 180 near Kings Canyon. As expected there was big line at the entrance to purchase the entrance ticket at Sequoia after 10AMPST. Plan ahead and buy online, there is separate line for online tickets. Don’t forget to check the alerts from park web site. Luckily we visited weekend and the road construction between Sequoia and Kings canyon was on break.

There is no signal for phones in the park, so make sure you prepare with directions and offline maps or GPS. National park has very nice app and you can download that prepare in offline mode.

Pack enough food, water and full gas tank. There are very nice picnic areas for visitors to enjoy.

Sequoia National Park

Some of the interesting spots to visit :

  • Sequoia National Park Historic Entrance sign
  • Moro Rock  (Trail – little steep, but safe with proper steps)
  • Giant Forest Museum
  • Big Tree Trail
  • General Sherman Tree (Trail – easy, but uphill while coming back)
  • General Grant Tree
  • Hospital Rock Pictographs
  • Tunnel rock
  • Crystal Cave (Closed due to Covid-19 during our visit)

Moro Rock Trail

Climbing the top of the granite dome is a worth for the views. Trail is nice and safe. It is very narrow, in normal situations there won’t be issues. With Covid situation, it’s hard to maintain distance in this trail. View at the top are amazing and worth the effort. Seems like the steps are paved in some places.  There are many trails along the away to Moro rock trail. You can park your car any where along the road and walk in the woods. Huge sequoia trees everywhere.

General Sherman Tree

General Sherman tree contains more wood (volume) in it;s trunks than any other tree on Earth. There might be other trees taller or wider than this tree, it’s the volume here …

This tree estimates to be 2200 years old. Interesting fact about sequoia tree roots, they are shallow and form a mesh with other trees to maintain balance and stability. Trail is a half a mile away from the parking lot, but it’s an uphill climb while coming back.

 

Kings Canyon National Park

Kings Canyon Park is composed of two distinct areas – Grant Grove (home to the General Grant tree, also known as “the Nation’s Christmas Tree”) and Cedar Grove.

Some of the interesting spots to visit :

  • Drive to the end of the road (Cedar Grove)
  • Roaring River Falls
  • Grizzly Falls
  • Zumwalt Meadow

Drive from Sequoia to Cedar grove is about 2 and 1/2 hours to 3 hours. Kings canyon drive keeps coming. There are camping options inside Cedar grove or on the way to Cedar grove. Hume Lake camp ground seems to be interesting one.

Covid-19 Tip: Before starting we were thinking a lot of about restrooms. As expected, some stores along the way and gas station restrooms are closed for outsiders due to Covid-19 precautions and exposure to employees. Thanks to Park staff, inside the park picnic areas had very good flush toilets. Clean and maintained well.

Specialty : Kings Canyon is the deepest canyon in the US at over a mile and half deep.

State : California

Travel Date : July 3, 2020

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