"Sierra Nevada at its Best - SEQUOIA NAT PARK" Sequoia National Park by mtncorg

Sequoia National Park Travel Guide: 301 reviews and 653 photos

Sky Blue Lakes and Mt Whitney from atop Mt Langley

When you think of Sequoia NP, you probably think of the gigantic trees found in groves near the 7000 foot/2121 meter level - and rightfully so. These trees are magnificence personified. Their ancient age and tremendous girth are incredible to behold. But to think of vast forests of sequoias is to think wrong. You have to go many miles even after entering the Park, before reaching the trees at Giant Grove. Sequoia NP is the smallest of the three Sierran national parks, but even at that, the Park stretches across Range of Light from the giant sequoian groves in the west to the top of the highest peak in the Lower 48 States - Mt Whitney. Like neighboring Kings Canyon NP to the north, Sequoia NP is a park of vast backcountry wilderness. Geography, topography and politics have left a contiguous park meade up of many different parts - low deep canyons, high forested plains, steep mountain peaks and vast alpine basins.

As with Kings Canyon NP, the casual tourist will only get glimpses of the awesome nature of Sequoia NP. Grand trails take off from CA 198 - the Generals Highway - allowing you to explore for days, weeks or months. The casual visitor will see the General Sherman Tree - the World's largest living thing. A visitors center, campgrounds and other amenities are centered in and around here. For the rest of the Prak's highlights you will need backcountry permits, for they lay far off the roads. Main entry points include the Generals Highway, the Mineral King road and passes along the eastern Sierra crest accessed of US 395: Kearsarge Pass via Onion Valley (see Independence tips); rugged Shepherd Pass (just south of Onion Valley); Mt Whitney trail - complicated quota and permit system in place (- see the Mt Whitney ranger station website for the latest details) and the passes out of the Cottonwood Lakes in the southeast corner of the Park.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Mighty trees, peaks, canyons
Cons:Gets busy around the Giant Grove
In a nutshell:Worlds within Worlds

Intro Written Nov 30, 2003
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Reviews (12)

Old Army Pass high above - Sequoia National Park

OLD ARMY PASS Warnings and Dangers (1)

The first pass developed by the US Army is here. You can save 700 feet and maybe about one mile in using this older pass... more travel advice

North off Langley - Sky Blue Lakes and Whitney - Sequoia National Park

LANGLEY VIEWS Things to Do (11)

Finally you reach the summit plateau atop Langely and wander east to the summit - 14042 feet/4274 meters. The North Face... more travel advice

Summit marker atop Mt Langley - Sequoia National Park

LANGLEY SLOPES Things to Do (11)

Pick your way slowly across and up the south slopes of Mt Langley. Breath deeply and go slowly. There is no shade and... more travel advice

View to the south from New Army Pass - Sequoia National Park

NEW ARMY PASS Things to Do (11)

Here is one pass through which you can enter the southeast corner of Sequoia NP. At 12300 feet/3727 meters and seven... more travel advice

Comments (8)

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mikehanneman Apr 14, 2007 at 6:50 PM

I won't be able to make it to Mt. Whitney. If it was on the West side of the park I would have the time. Great pictures with the peaks! I bet you were tired. I will be there inside of 50 days and appreciate the adivse. Mike
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sue_stone Dec 7, 2005 at 1:40 PM

Look forward to meeting General Sherman one day!
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johanl Oct 22, 2005 at 1:16 AM

thanks for the information. I'll be visiting next week. JL
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Andraf Sep 27, 2005 at 10:32 AM

Guess where I'm going this weekend?
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Kentbein Nov 5, 2004 at 3:41 AM

Great page. Brings back lots of memories of when I worked there. Love that place!
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kazander Aug 11, 2004 at 12:44 PM

We were just talking about visiting this park! Very helpful info:)
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goingsolo Jun 21, 2004 at 2:47 PM

Great page. You're right- I'm sold. Adding Sequoia NP to the list as well. :)
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mrclay2000 Dec 10, 2003 at 1:05 PM

Gadzooks, Mark. I like a little forestation in my profiles. Is everything in your arsenal above the treeline? Did you parachute in, or did the lechugillas and agaves of the southwest teach you to like arid, brushless places?