Sequoia & Kings Canyon Guide

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Trip Planner Summer 2021 Information in this newspaper can change at any time as we work to safely increase access to these parks. What to Expect Free Mobile App Install the new free National Park Service app for more trip-planning information. Search for National Park Service in the iTunes or Google Play stores, and then choose Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Be sure to download content for use offine during your visit. WiFi may be available at Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove or at Foothills Visitor Center near the Sequoia entrance, but it's best to install before you get to the parks. To protect the safety of you, our employees, and our partners, we've made changes that will affect your visit. For current updates, check at visitor centers, our free mobile app, online at www.nps. gov/seki, and at our partner websites. Cover your snout! Many popular trails may be congested. Bringing a mask keeps you—and your fellow hikers—safer. Masks may be required. Give people space! Give others plenty of room whether you are on a trail, in a park store, or in a parking lot. Be prepared to cover your nose and mouth if you’re near others. On behalf of park employees and partners, thank you for wearing your mask to keep us safe! General Information ........... 2 Wildlife Safety ........................5 Grant Grove & Cedar Grove...8 Información en español ..... 10-11 Safety ................................... 3 Foothills ..................................6 National Forest Lands ............9 Información de seguridad ...... 10 Camping & SPC Tours .......... 4 Giant Forest & Lodgepole ......7 Wilderness ..............................9 Shuttles & Parking................... 12 2 General Information Contacts Frequently Asked Questions Accessibility Cell service Pets Cell service is extremely limited here, and mainly is available for some networks near entrance stations. Pets are not permitted on any trails in Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Pets must be kept on a leash at all times, or appropriately crated or caged. Pets cannot be left tied and unattended at any time. The leash must be no longer than 6 feet (1.8 meters) long. We are committed to a continuing efort to improve the accessibility of our trails and facilities so they can be enjoyed by all. If you have questions or suggestions about accessibility, please email us at SEKI_Interpretation@nps.gov or call us at 559- 565-3341. Drones Accessibility Guide EMERGENCY — DIAL 911 No coins are needed in payphones for 911 calls. Sequoia & Kings Canyon (NPS) 559-565-3341 (24 hour): Recorded information is available for road conditions, weather, current fres, camping, lodging, wilderness, and more. Unmanned aircraft are not allowed in these parks. This includes drones and other remotely piloted vehicles. Marijuana GPS GPS programs often misdirect travellers here. Use maps and signs, or ask for directions. Web & Social Media www.nps.gov/seki @sequoiakingsnps @sequoiakingsnps @sequoiakingsnps Sequoia National Forest/ Monument (USFS) 559-338-2251, fs.usda.gov/sequoia Yosemite National Park (NPS) 209-372-0200, nps.gov/yose California Road Conditions (CalTrans) 800-427-7623, dot.ca.gov Free Public WiFi Locations Foothills Visitor Center (Sequoia National Park), Kings Canyon Visitor Center (Grant Grove). Campground Reservations Visit Recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777 (TDD: 877-833-6777). Possession or use of marijuana and other controlled substances inside the national parks is prohibited. While California law provides for limited possession and use of marijuana, it remains an illegal drug under federal law, which is enforced within the parks. Fire Restrictions Because of summer heat and dry conditions, fre restrictions may be in place to reduce the possibility of accidental human-caused fre. Prohibited locations for wood or charcoal fres will be posted, especially in park campgrounds. Restrictions may increase throughout the summer as fre danger increases. Check for updates on park bulletin boards, at visitor centers, or by visiting go.nps.gov/sekifrerestrictions. Firearms in these National Parks People who can legally possess frearms under federal, California, and local laws may possess frearms here. You are responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable California, local, and federal frearms laws. Discharge of frearms in the parks is prohibited. Free Public WiFi Locations Foothills Visitor Center (Sequoia National Park), Kings Canyon Visitor Center (Grant Grove). No password is needed. Translations Delaware North (Authorized Concessioner) Welcome - You may borrow a Braille copy of the park map & guide at visitor centers. Visit www.visitsequoia.com or call (866) 807-3598 for lodging reservations. Bienvenidos - Hay un folleto en español disponible en los centros de visitante. Cedar Grove Pack Station (Authorized Concessioner) Bienvenue - Une guide ofcielle est disponible dans les centres d’information. Grant Grove: 559-335-9292 https://grantgrovestables.com/ Wilkommen - Eine Landkarte ist auch in deutscher sprache im Besucher-zentrum erhaltlich. Cedar Grove: 559-565-3464 cedargrovepackstation.com Benvenuti - La traduzione in lingua Italiana della mappa e’ disponibile in tutti i centri di informazioni. Ask at any visitor center for a printed accessibility guide. This new publication ofers details about accessible park features by area and for diferent user groups. The information in the guide is also available online at www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/ accessibility.htm. Visitor Centers All visitor centers and museums have paved, fat paths leading from parking areas to information desks, exhibits, bookstores, water bottle flling stations, and restrooms. Cedar Grove Visitor Center is small, and may be difcult for people in wheelchairs to navigate. Mineral King Ranger Station has steps leading to the entrance and may not be accessible to people with mobility impairments. Wheelchairs may be borrowed at no cost at Kings Canyon and Cedar Grove visitor centers, or at Giant Forest Museum. They can be used anywhere in the parks but must be returned by the end of the day, before each visitor center closes. Be prepared to provide your address and phone number. Assistive listening devices and open captioning are available for ranger programs and park flms. Borrow a device at park visitor centers. Wheelchair-Accessible Trails General Sherman Tree Trail (Giant Forest): This short trail leads a few hundred feet from an accessible parking area to the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on earth. Big Trees Trail (Giant Forest): This level trail is a 0.75-mile (1.2 km) loop. It circles a meadow surrounded by giant sequoias. Panoramic Point Trail (Grant Grove): This paved trail leads to views that reach deep into park wilderness. Roaring River Falls (Cedar Grove): A 528 foot (160 m), shady walk features a powerful waterfall rushing through a granite chute. Park 3 miles (4.8 km) east of the Village road. Paved, relatively accessible. Be Safe You are Responsible for Your Safety 3 Explore Safely Beautiful, yet remote and rugged, these parks present hazards. Mountain weather changes quickly, trees fall without warning, and wild animals pose dangers. People cause other hazards by driving poorly, leaving campfres burning, and making bad decisions. Cell phones can’t be relied on and GPS directions may send you in the wrong direction. Every day, we help visitors who have emergencies. • Avoid traveling alone. Tell someone your plans and expected return time. • Take a map, water, fashlight, and extra layers of clothes. Do not rely on your phone's map or fashlight. Please help us by being prepared—review these safety warnings. Your safety is in your own hands! • Be alert for potential hazards above, around, and on the ground. River Safety á While swimming in the parks' lakes and rivers can be tempting, drowning is the primary cause of death here! Tree Hazards Branches and trees may fall, whether dead or alive, and when there is no wind. Keep eyes and ears open. Run if you hear cracks or snapping from roots, trunks, or branches (sometimes there is no sound). Don't linger under dead, cracked, broken, or hanging branches. Avoid spending any time under trees that are rotten at the base or have cracked bark that is peeling of the trunk. Air Quality Poor air quality often afects the parks, especially during the summer. In summer months, ozone concentrations often exceed federal health standards. Ozone can have negative health efects, particularly for sensitive groups such as children, older people, and those with heart or lung disease. For air quality forecasts, visit the park website or follow @SequoiaKingsAir on Twitter. Rivers present great danger due to their swift currents and slippery rocks. In riverrelated deaths, many people did not intend to swim, but fell in. Currents are strong even during low water. Drop-offs and undertows are ever-present. Be vigilant. Once in a river, getting out can be nearly impossible. Cold water rapidly saps your strength and hypothermia can set in quickly even if it is warm outside. • Do not swim in areas with strong currents, or steep drop-offs. • DO NOT leave children unattended. • Swimming and alcohol or drugs do not mix. Swim sober. • Wear sturdy shoes. Sharp objects in the water can cut bare feet. • During storms, get out of the water and exit beach areas. • NEVER SWIM ALONE. West Nile Virus & Tick Bites West Nile virus is passed by bites from infected mosquitos. Human illness is not common but take steps to avoid mosquito bites. Ticks are common in grassy, brushy lowelevation areas. They can carry diseases that harm humans. Check yourself for these insects after walks; their bite is painless. Remove them carefully with tweezers and seek a doctor’s advice. j Rattlesnakes Rattlesnakes are common in the Sequoia foothills and in the Kings Canyon at low elevations. Watch where you put your hands and feet! Do not harass or kill them; this is when most bites occur. Bites are rarely lethal, but tissue damage can be severe. If bitten, don’t panic and call 911. Plague & Hantavirus Plague and hantavirus are associated with wildlife here, but cases of human infection are rare. Rodents and their feas may carry plague, which may infect humans when bitten. Hantavirus is an airborne virus that comes from infected deer mice. Typically people contract hantavirus after they clean areas or are in enclosed spaces with deer mice feces. ` Keep Pets Safe D Don't Lose Your Brakes To keep pets and wildlife safe, animals must be on a leash at all times. Pets are vulnerable to tick and snake bites. Bears and deer have also been known to charge or attack dogs. Pick up all pet waste and dispose of properly. Pets are not allowed on any park trails. Do not leave pets unattended or in vehicles where they can easily overheat. Poison Oak This common shrub grows up to 5,000 feet (1,524 m) in elevation, and can cause an itchy rash if you touch it. Poison oak has leaves in groups of three. Leaves are red and berries whitish in fall. The plant is bare in winter, and has shiny green leaves in spring. If you touch any part of it, wash skin and clothes with soap and warm water right away. If you keep a foot on the brake for too long, brakes may fail. Instead, always downshift when going downhill. In automatic vehicles, put the gearshift on 1, 2, or L. The engine gets louder, but your brakes won't overheat. 4 Camping Campgrounds Are Open, with Reservations Only In 2021, most park campgrounds are scheduled to reopen. Reservations will be required for ALL park campgrounds. No frst-come, frst-served sites will be available. Due to increased demand and closure of some campgrounds for hazard tree removal, we expect campground availability to be very limited this year. Make reservations by midnight at least two days before your check-in date, or up to one month in advance: RV and Trailer Length Limits If you're driving an RV, trailer, or a longer vehicle, check length limits on park roads and at campsites. Check-in and Check-out Check-in is at 12 pm or later. Check out before 12 pm. If you have not checked in by noon on the second day of your reserved period, your reserved site may be considered unoccupied and opened to new campers. Campsite Amenities (877) 444-6777 Each campsite has a table, food storage box, and a fre ring with a grill. Each accommodates up to six people and one vehicle. There are no RV hook-ups in the parks. (877) 833-6777 TDD Roadside Camping www.recreation.gov Group Camping Roadside camping is not permitted in the park. Camp only in designated sites in campgrounds. In the national forest, it's permitted unless posted otherwise. Group camping is suspended until further notice due to COVID-19. Fire Restrictions, Campfres, & Firewood (888) 448-1474 customer service No Showers Available At This Time Fire restrictions may be in place at any time and can change when there's a danger of wildfre. Fires must be out cold before you leave. If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave. Gather only dead and down wood; do not cut limbs of trees. Please don’t transport frewood. It can carry insects and diseases that threaten living trees. Find or buy wood close to where you will use it. Quiet and Generator Hours Noise should be audible in your site only. Quiet hours are 10 pm–6 am (no generators). At Lodgepole, generator use is permitted from 8 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8 pm. Propane and Fuel Canisters Please recycle fuel canisters at home. Do not put them in park trash cans or leave them here. Dump Stations RV dump stations are available at Potwisha and Lodgepole campgrounds, or for a fee at Princess Campground in the Sequoia National Forest. Lodgepole Dump Station will be closed May 24– June 11. Potwisha Dump Station will be closed June 14–July 3. Closures schedules for maintenance may change. Sequoia Parks Conservancy Sequoia Parks Conservancy (SPC), the ofcial nonproft partner to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, welcomes you! We work hand-inhand with the National Park Service to provide tours and retail services, fund critical projects, and protect and preserve park treasures for future generations. Visit us online to learn more about everything we do. We’ve saved a place for you—come join us! Crystal Cave Tour - 50 minutes Tours begin on Friday, May 28, 2021. General tour schedule is: Formations in Crystal Cave Crystal Cave @SeqParksCon Crystal Cave Tours Tickets on sale now! Reserve tickets online at www. recreation.gov at least 48 hours in advance but three weeks advance purchase is recommended. Getting There Crystal Cave Road is 15 miles (24 km) from Sequoia National Park's entrance at Highway 198 and 3 miles (5 km) south of Sherman Tree. Maximum vehicle length on this narrow road is 22 feet (6.7 m). Tours on Thursday through Sunday (closed Monday through Wednesday) • Tours at 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm Ticket prices: Age 5–12 $8; 13–64 $16; 65 & up $15. No discounts for SPC members, or National Parks or America the Beautiful passholders. @SequoiaParksConservancy Shop our online store! • SPC Adventures When traveling to the cave, plan time for delays in getting through the park entrances or on busy roads, especially on weekends and holidays. Please arrive in the parking lot 15 to 20 minutes prior to your designated tour time. The Cave Road closes one hour after the last tour of the day. We've Saved A Place For You! Prepare For Your Tour For more information, call 559-565-4251, or visit www.sequoiaparks.org/adventures. Be sure to use the parking lot restrooms as the cave has none. Wear sturdy shoes for the steep 0.5-mile (0.8-km) trail to the cave. Wear a jacket; it’s 50°F (10°C) inside. No strollers, tripods or bags/packs are permitted inside the cave (they can be used on the trail from the parking area but must be left outside unattended during the tour.). No fash/lighted photography/video. Not wheelchair accessible. Tour times are subject to change. We're here to help you have a fun and memorable journey in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. We'll connect you to the biggest trees, the darkest skies, and the wildest wilderness. Everything is here waiting. The only thing missing is you. Dark Skies & Dark Sky Festival We are going virtual again this year! Join our virtual festival this year September 10-12, 2021. Visit our website at www.sequoiaparksconservancy.org/ darkskyfestival for more information. Keep Bears Wild and Safe Other camping options Due to COVID-19, camping may be limited. Visit www. fs.usda.gov/sequoia for details about their facilities and services, and visit Recreation.gov for camping reservations. 5 Bears can grab unattended food or break into cars where food is visible. They become bold and aggressive if they get human food. Too often, these bears must be killed. Food storage is key to keeping humans safe and bears alive. Lodges Remove all food and child safety seats from your vehicle. Sequoia National Forest (U.S. Forest Service) Near Grant Grove In Wilderness Hanging food often fails! Store all food in a bear-resistant storage container. These containers weigh less than 3 pounds (1.3 kg), hold up to 5 days of food, and ft in a backpack. A list of approved containers can be found on our website. Metal boxes are located in a few wilderness locations. HUME LAKE AREA CAMPGROUNDS Princess, Hume Lake, Tenmile, Landslide, and Convict Flat campgrounds BIG MEADOWS AND STONY CREEK AREA CAMPGROUNDS Stony Creek, Upper Stony Creek, Horse Camp, and Big Meadow campgrounds Keep Yourself Safe DISPERSED CAMPING Self-contained camping, with no water, restrooms, trash cans, or other amenities is permitted in the national forest (not in the national parks). Check with Sequoia National Forest for time and group size limits. Free fre permits are required for open fres and portable stoves. Get them online at www.fs.usda. gov/sequoia, ask a local forest ranger, or check with the Kings Canyon Visitor Center. Lake Kaweah (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) Near Three Rivers Day Hikers Properly store all food, scented items, and foodrelated supplies left at the trailhead inside a provided food storage box, including coolers. If you're concerned about touching the handles of shared boxes, consider using hand sanitizer before and after touching them. If no food storage box is available, store food in your car trunk. For vehicles with no trunk, place food items low and out of sight and keep windows closed. When hiking, don't leave your backpack and walk of to take a photograph—always stay within arm's length of your food. Bears know backpacks are a source of food. Horse Creek Campground Don’t let bears approach you, your food, picnic area, or campsite. Wave your arms, make loud noises, and throw small rocks toward them (avoid hitting the face or head). Keep a safe distance but be persistent. Abandoning your food teaches bears that foods come from humans; the bear may hurt a person in the future to get food. If a bear does get your food, NEVER try to get it back. Touring and Picnicking Food items MUST be stored in food storage boxes when provided. If no food storage box is available, food items must be inside your car trunk or if no trunk, place food items low in the vehicle, out of sight, and keep windows closed. While picnicking, never move away from coolers and tables when food is out. Stay within arm's length of food. Bears can smell anything with a scent—such as hand sanitizer, cosmetics, toiletries, trash, and cleaning supplies—and will mistake these items for food. Store anything with an odor. Wildlife Viewing & Safety Keep Wildlife Safe Mountain Lions and Bobcats Do not feed or touch ANY wild animals. All animals in the parks are wild. View animals at safe distances (the length of two city buses) or through binoculars. Rarely seen, bobcats are larger than house cats and have bobbed tails. Mountain lions (cougars) are much larger and have long tails. Cats usually run when seen. If you see a mountain lion that doesn’t run: Never disrupt, approach, or disturb animals from behaving normally. • Do not run; running may trigger pursuit. • Pick up children. • Try to appear as large as possible—don’t crouch down. • Hold your ground or back away slowly while facing the mountain lion. • If the mountain lion acts aggressively, wave your hands, shout, and throw stones or sticks at it. • If attacked, fght back! Report any sightings. © Kiel Maddox 6 Foothills Explore the golden foothills, home to more species of plants and animals than the rest of these parks combined. Chaparral, oak woodlands, and river canyons offer spring wildfowers, hot summers, and mild winters. Services and Facilities Marble Falls Paradise Creek Foothills Visitor Center Open 8:30 am–4 pm, daily (hours subject to change). Look for an information kiosk to the right of the visitor center building. A veces hay guardabosques aqui quienes hablan Español. Sequoia Parks Conservancy's Park Store ô Tunnel Rock ô Hospital Rock Picnic Area At Foothills Visitor Center, open weekdays 8:30 am–4 pm,; closed daily 12 pm–1 pm. Maps, books, and other items are available. Free WiFi here—no password required. Snap a picture at this iconic pullout of the Generals Highway. Walk on the old road under this rock formation, but do not climb. Poison oak is common here. A construction project is underway here to improve access. See rock paintings and explore exhibits about the California Native Americans who lived here, and still visit and live nearby. A short trail built by the Civilian Conservation Corps leads to a waterfall. Be careful; drownings occur here. Store your food from bears. Marble Falls Trail Paradise Creek Trail For a short walk along canals or a long walk to a waterfall, park across the highway from Potwisha Campground (not in the campground). Near site #14, follow the dirt road along canals. Climb 3.7 miles (6 km) through to the waterfall. High temperatures and little shade or water can make this trail dangerous in the summer. For a creekside stroll, park at Hospital Rock Picnic Area (not in campground). Walk 0.6 miles (0.9 km) to Buckeye Flat Campground. Take the path across from site #28 and cross a footbridge over the river. Follow Paradise Creek (not the river) for 1 mile (1.6 km) until the trail grows faint. Wilderness Offce Local permits for overnight travel available 7 am–3:30 pm, at the Wilderness Ofce. Follow the dirt path by the information kiosk. Go to the Fire Management and Wilderness Ofce on the far side of the parking lot. When the ofce is closed, self-registration permits are available outside the visitor center. Mineral King Climb the steep, winding road, the parks' highest, to its peak at 7,800 feet (2,377 m). Enjoy this remote, rugged place, or follow a trail into a vast wilderness. Services and Facilities Mineral King Ranger Station Open 7:30 am–4 pm. Get trail and local information. Pay phones nearby at Cold Springs Campground and the Sawtooth Trailhead parking area. Mineral King Valley Wilderness Permits Local wilderness permits for overnight travel are issued at the Ranger Station 8 am–3:30 pm. Cold Springs Nature Trail Silver City Mountain Resort (private) Stroll through meadows and aspen groves on this slightly sloped, 1-mile (1.6 km) trail. Start at Cold Springs Campground. Cabins, gifts, showers, store, restaurant with a bakery and wif. No gas. Open 8 am–7 pm Monday–Thursday and 8 am–8 pm Friday through Sunday. Call 559-561-3223. Protect your car from marmots! Marmots in this area sometimes chew through vehicle wires and fuel lines. Drive over your tarp and then wrap it around your vehicle, covering wheel wells. Extra tarps may be available at the ranger station. Eagle Lake Ascend the west side of the Mineral King Valley to a glacially carved tarn. This steep trail is 3.6 miles (5.7 km) one way, and begins at the end of Mineral King Road. After 2 miles (3.2 km), the trail splits. Turn left for Eagle Lake, or take the right-hand trail another 1.6 miles (2.5 km) for Mosquito Lake. Paradise Ridge Hike through sequoias to a ridge with views of the Great Western Divide. Park in the lot east of Atwell Mill Campground and walk past the campground to the trailhead. Climb 3.7 miles (5.9 km) to the peak of the ridge, or continue into wilderness. Atwell-Hockett to Deer Creek Walk through sequoias and an old sawmill to a waterfall. Park in the lot east of Atwell Mill Campground and walk toward the campground to the trailhead. This trail heads far into wilderness. Turn back in 1.5 miles (2.4 km) at Deer Creek. Monarch Lakes Upper and Lower Monarch Lakes lie at the foot of Sawtooth Peak, at the end of a 4.2 mile (one-way) hike. Since the trail follows a west-facing slope, it is best to get an early start. The trail passes through meadows, red fr forest, and the avalanche-scoured Chihuahua Bowl. Giant Forest and Lodgepole 7 Welcome to the big trees. Here, free park shuttles will take you through the world's biggest unlogged sequoia grove, home of the world's largest tree. Park your car and discover serene meadows, rocky streams, and towering forests. Shuttles travel throughout the Giant Forest and Lodgepole area. General Sherman Tree Tokopah Falls Two trails lead to the world’s largest tree: Park at Lodgepole Campground parking lot, just past the campground kiosk. The 1.7-mile (2.7-km) trail starts in Lodgepole Campground and ends at a viewpoint near the cascades of Tokopah Falls. Return the same way for a 3.4-mile (5.5 km) roundtrip hike. Be careful around the water; cold, swift currents are difcult to escape. Main Trail - Park at Main Sherman Tree Parking. This 0.5-mile (0.8-km) trail down to the tree has stairs and the walk back is uphill. If someone in your group can't manage the uphill hike, consider picking them up at the accessible trailhead. ô Wheelchair-accessible trail from the highwayA disability placard is required to park here. Congress Trail - Park at Wolverton or Lodgepole shuttle parking. From the Sherman Tree, continue along this fairly level 2-mile (3.2-km) loop through the heart of the Giant Forest sequoia grove. Moro Rock/Crescent Meadow Road This 3-mile (4.8-km), dead-end road begins at Giant Forest Museum. Expect congestion and limited parking on this road, especially on weekends. Consider using the park shuttle at Wolverton or Lodgepole and hiking in from the Giant Forest Museum. Col. Young Tree - Begin at the Auto Log and walk to a sequoia named for a notable Bufalo Soldier. Crescent Meadow - Sequoias surround this fragile wetland. Several trails start here, including the 1-mile (1.6-km) route to Tharp’s Log. ô Big Trees Trail This level loop has trailside exhibits about sequoias. Start at Giant Forest Museum for a 1-mile (1.6-km) round-trip walk. If you have a disability placard, park at the trailhead for a 0.75-mile (1-km) loop. Services and Facilities Giant Forest Museum While the museum exhibits are closed, look for our information kiosk right outside of the museum. Open 10 am–4 pm daily. Schedule subject to change; hours may expand to 9 am to 5 pm at a later date. A veces hay guardabosques aqui quienes hablan Español. Sequoia Parks Conservancy's Park Store at Giant Forest Museum Open daily, 9 am – 5 pm for sales of maps, books, bear canister rentals, and other items. Schedule subject to change; and hours may expand to 7 am–5 pm at a later date. Lodgepole Campground. Park at Lodgepole Campground parking lot, just past the campground kiosk and cross the bridge. Hike along the Twin Lakes Trail on your way to this secluded meadow. Bear Hill Trail Beetle Rock Park at Giant Forest Museum and walk toward the Big Trees Trail. The Bear Hill Trail junction will be on the right. Check maps at the museum's Trail Center kiosk for more information. A short walk along a wheelchair-accessible trail from the Giant Forest Museum parking area. Take in spectacular views with ample space. Parking Areas Little Baldy This 3.4-mile (5.5-km) out-and-back trail has 700 feet (200 m) of elevation gain and ofers one of the best views in the park. The trailhead is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south of Dorst Campground. Parking is limited, so get here early or later in the day. See shuttle routes on page 12 of the newspaper. By parking at these parking areas, you can take advantage of some our shuttle routes. To Grant Grove (1 hour) Wuksachi Lodge Lodgepole Campground Panther Gap Wolverton Parking available at Wolverton. Under 6 miles (10 km) round trip, this trail follows the Lakes Trail before veering of to Panther Gap. Ascend 1000 feet (300 m) to the gap and amazing views. Main Sherman Tree Parking Sherman Tree Trail accessible parking Sunset Rock Park at Giant Forest Museum where this level 1.4-mile (2 km)round-trip trail begins. It ends on top of a granite dome with sweeping views of the foothills. Giant Forest Museum To Sequoia entrance (1 hour) Cahoon Meadow Crescent Meadow Moro Rock This 5-mile (8-km) out-and-back starts at Wilderness Permits Wuksachi Lodge (including food services)* Local permits for overnight travel are issued at Giant Forest Museum. Before May 28, self-register at Giant Forest Museum. Beginning May 28, the Giant Forest Museum Wilderness Desk will be open, 7 am–3 pm. The lodge sits at an elevation of 7200 feet, 2.3 miles (3.7 km) north of Lodgepole Visitor Center. Open year-round, 24 hours a day. Payphones, wif, and ATM. 559-625-7700. Sequoia Shuttles Take the free, wheelchair accessible Sequoia Shuttle to sites throughout Giant Forest and Lodgepole. Turn to page 12 for more information. Lodgepole Market* Supplies, clothing, groceries, ATM, and pay phone. Tentative re-opening in June 2021. Food services (limited to-go, pre-packed options; limited indoor and outdoor seating): • Breakfast: 7 am–10 am • Lunch: 12 pm–2 pm • Dinner: 5:30 pm–8 pm. Schedule subject to change Gift Shop: Open 8 am–8 pm. Grab-and-go meals Souvenirs and minimal supplies. *Operated by Delaware North Concession 8 Grant Grove Wander through shady sequoia groves and hike to bird's-eye views of distant wilderness. From busy Grant Grove Village to lofty Big Baldy Ridge, Grant Grove offers a chance to explore with amenities nearby. Grant Tree Trail This 0.3-mile (0.5 km) paved, loop trail leads to the world’s second-largest living tree. Drive 0.1 mile north of Grant Grove Village and look for road signs to access parking area. On the trail, look for tactile exhibits about sequoias. Services and Facilities Kings Canyon Visitor Center Open 9 am–4 pm. Beginning May 23, open 8 am–4 pm. Theater and exhibits closed until further notice. Pay phones and wif are available. Sequoia Parks Conservancy Park Store Open 9 am–4 pm. Maps, books, and gifts. Wilderness Permits Issued at the visitor center, 8 am–4 pm. North Grove Loop This lightly traveled, 1.5-mile (2.4 km) loop ofers a close look at sequoias and a quiet forest walk. Start at the Grant Tree bus and RV overfow parking area. Grant Grove Village • Market*: Open 9 am–6 pm. Grab-and-go food, groceries, supplies, and ATM. ô Panoramic Point • Courtyard*: To-go meals only. Open 7 am–10 am; 11:30 am–2:30 pm; 5 pm–8 pm. • Gift Shop*: Open 8 am–9 pm. Souvenirs, supplies, clothing, and ATM. • Post Ofce: Open Monday–Friday, 9 am–4 pm; 24-hour lobby. 559-335-2499. • John Muir Lodge*: Located behind the village meadow. Make a reservation to stay in a lodge room or cabins. Call 866-807-3598. A narrow road leads to a short, paved trail to a viewpoint with beautiful Sierra vistas. RVs and trailers are not permitted on the road, which begins behind John Muir Lodge. Park Ridge Trail (2.4 miles/3.8 km) also b