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Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
What's in Each Area, Spring
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| All year-round visitors enjoy a walk to the General Sherman Tree. |
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- Sequoia Park- Giant Forest, Lodgepole, and Wolverton
6400-7200' (1950-2160 m) elevation. Spring at the higher elevations is a time of transition, storms may still bring snow. The Giant Forest Museum provides exhibits, visitor information, maps, books, and first aid. Two miles (3.2 km) north of the museum is the General Sherman Tree. Until the upper Sherman Tree parking lot (located off the Wolverton Road) is clear of snow, park in the lower lot located by the Generals Hwy. Wuksachi Village offers lodging and a restaurant. The Lodgepole Visitor Center and Village (offering other food service), along with Crystal Cave usually open mid-May (weather permitting). Purchase tickets to Crystal Cave at the Lodgepole Visitor Center. No gasoline is available. Call ahead to get current conditions 1-559-565-3341.
- How do I get there?
- What is the weather like?
- What facilities and services are available?
- What ranger-guided activities are available?
- What are the major sites in Giant Forest?
- What walks are in the area?
- Information on backpacking.
- Tell me about the restoration of the Giant Forest.
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| The staff at the Foothills Visitor Center can help you plan your visit. |
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Sequoia Park - Foothills and South Fork
500-3500' (457-1067 m) elevation. The Foothills Visitor Center offers information, exhibits, first aid, maps and books. Once Crystal Cave reopens in mid-May (weather permitting) tickets can be purchased at the visitor center. The Foothills offer hiking, picnicking, and camping. While exploring the Foothill environment watch for ticks and poison oak. As the snow in the higher elevation melts and the spring runoff begins, be extra careful along streams and rivers which are swift, deep, and cold. Rocks are smooth and slippery. Drownings have occurred. Falling in the river is as dangerous as swimming. For information call 1-559-565-3341.
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| The Mineral King valley can be snow covered until early summer. |
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Sequoia Park - Mineral King, a sub-alpine valley
7800' (2380 m) elevation. The road to Mineral King and area campgrounds open late May (weather permitting). This winding, steep, and narrow road (no RVs, buses, or trailers, please) has no electricity or gasoline. Beware: In spring and early summer, marmots chew on hoses and wiring in cars parked in upper Mineral King. Call ahead or check at a visitor center for more information. The ranger station usually opens in late May. Backpackers can register for wilderness permits on the porch until then. For information call 1-559-565-3341.
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| Walk among the giant sequoias on the General Grant Tree trail. |
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Kings Canyon Park - Grant Grove
6600' (2008 m) elevation. Grant Grove's high elevation can have snow lingering well into spring. Remember to call ahead for current conditions. Grant Grove is home to the General Grant Tree and was originally General Grant National park, created in 1890 to protect sequoias from logging. The Kings Canyon Visitor Center offers exhibits in English & Spanish, orientation movie (captioned), wilderness permits, maps and books. Grant Grove Village offers lodging, a restaurant, market, and gift shop. The closest gas station is at Hume Lake 11 miles north of Grant Grove. For information call 1-559-565-3341.
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| The Cedar Grove Ranger Station is usually open by early June. |
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Kings Canyon Park- Cedar Grove
4600' (1410 am) elevation. The road to Cedar Grove Village opens by late-April (weather permitting). In this glaciated valley--The Kings Canyon, is where Cedar Grove Village is located with lodging and other services that usually open in early May. Once the road opens one campground is available. No gasoline is available in Cedar Grove. The canyon presents travelers with towering granite cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, lovely meadows, a powerful river, and the gateway to the High Sierra for hikers. Wilderness permits are self-issue at Road's End until late May. For more information call 1-559-565-3341.
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Did You Know?
The park newspaper (The Guide) comes out five times a year. It covers Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, and the Hume Lake area of Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument. Planning a trip? See the most recent issue for the season you expect to be here and see what to expect.
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Last Updated: March 31, 2008 at 15:56 EST |
