Park Ridge

Overview

This narrow, figure-8 loop follows the spine of Park Ridge to the Park Ridge Fire Lookout. Spectacular views from a number of vista points, including Panoramic Point, reveal the depths of Kings Canyon and the soaring pinnacles and crags of the High Sierra. The Route: From the parking area, follow the paved trail from the signed trailhead as it winds moderately uphill through red and white fir forest to Panoramic Point. From this point and an adjacent lookout spot, visitors will enjoy a sweeping view ranging from north to east to south. Included within this view are Hume Lake, the Middle and South Forks of Kings Canyon, and the distant peaks of the High Sierra. If you can stand the early wake-up call, try to make it up to Panoramic Point before sunrise to witness the sun’s first rays splashing across this vast and wild country. Head south to a point where pavement ends and dirt begins. From here, the trail faithfully follows the undulating spine of Park Ridge through picturesque forest. These meanders are relatively mild until a steep switchback leads to the route’s high point at 1.1 miles. Just past the high point, another equally impressive view point offers another variation on the spectacle to your east. After this viewpoint, the trail dips down onto the ridge’s western side, revealing views west over Grant Grove Village and beyond toward Fresno (when the air is clear enough to see it). Over the next .5 mile, the trail continues downhill on the west side of the ridge toward a junction with the fire road to the Lookout Tower and the Azalea and Manzanita Trails. Turn right, and walk twenty feet toward the sign for the Azalea and Manzanita Trails. Turn left at the sign to continue along the single-track trail to the lookout. From the junction, the trail continues south along the west side of the ridge for another .8 mile to a second junction with the fire road. Where the trail ends, turn right and follow the fire road 250 yards southwest to a metal lookout tower observing a wide swath of the western Sierra from

Trail Stats

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