2 min
Overview
One of the most popular hikes in Sequoia National Park does not feature any sequoias at all. Instead, it offers a serene stroll up a glacial valley to a 1,200 foot cascading waterfall that fills a large granite amphitheatre with a hearty roar. Along the way are numerous tranquil scenes of the Kaweah River framed by conifers against a backdrop of towering granite cliffs. The river, which moves far more placidly away from the falls, also offers a number of swimming holes during peak summer times, and it’s not uncommon to see children splashing around in the places where the river slows down. Finally, wildlife sightings, including bear, deer, and marmots are common through the forested sections of the trail. The Watchtower The village of Lodgepole is the main hub of activity for Sequoia National Park. Here, you will find a visitor center offering information, maps for sale, and backcountry permit pick-up. You will also find a market, a restaurant, showers, a movie theater screening informational documentaries about the park, the maintenance facility for the park’s shuttle fleet, and numerous service buildings associated with the campground. The campground itself is a huge, sprawling affair with sites interspersed within the forest along the banks of the river. The campsites here are placed close together, offering little to no privacy. This is not the nicest campground in the park, but it is an acceptable base from which to explore the surrounding areas, including Giant Forest, Wolverton, and Crystal Cave. Marble Fork Kaweah River While Lodgepole can become quite crowded, especially on summer weekends, it pales in comparison to the virtual city that has been plopped down in the middle of Yosemite Valley. And despite Tokopah Falls being one of the most popular sites in the park, its traffic also pales in comparison to the falls you might see in Yosemite. The relative lack of visitation at Sequoia probably owes itself to the fact that it is not a rock star in the way that Yosemite is. Sequoia lacks the world-f
Trail Stats
6.6 km
152 m
2270 m
2067 m
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