Dead Giant Loop Trail

Overview

This is the Grant Grove area’s under-the-radar sequoia walk: a 2.8-mile loop (total) with about 456 feet of gain that links the North Grove and Dead Giant loops. Expect classic giant sequoias, meadows, and a bonus viewpoint of Sequoia Lake, all without the crush you’ll find around the General Grant Tree.

What You’ll See

You’ll wander through mixed conifer forest punctuated by towering giant sequoias, then pass Lion Meadow on your way to an overlook of Sequoia Lake. A signature stop is the namesake “Dead Giant,” a massive standing dead sequoia that’s both striking and ecologically important as wildlife habitat. In fall, the understory puts on a show—dogwoods, ferns, and shrubs turn red, yellow, and pink against the cinnamon bark of the sequoias.

Trail Feel and Conditions

The route mixes mellow singletrack with short, rougher sections. Parts follow an old mill road surface that’s no longer smooth, so watch your footing. Elevation changes are modest, and most hikers will find the loop family-friendly. It’s generally quieter than the adjacent Grant Tree loop, so you get more sequoia time with fewer people.

Route Notes

Start at the General Grant Tree parking area and pick up the North Grove Trail, then continue onto the Dead Giant loop. As you pass Lion Meadow, you briefly cross the park boundary into Giant Sequoia National Monument en route to the Sequoia Lake overlook, then complete the loop back toward North Grove. Total distance for the linked loop is about 2.8 miles.

Best Time to Hike

Fall is peak for color and pleasant temps. Spring and early summer bring lush meadows and fewer bugs before the warmest months. Start early or go late afternoon for softer forest light and the best chance at solitude, especially on weekends.

Tips

• Park, restrooms, and water are available at the General Grant Tree lot.
• Bring insect repellent in bug season.
• If the Grant Tree loop is jammed, this is the quieter alternative right from the same parking area.
• Your standard park entrance pass covers this hike—no extra permit needed for day hiking.

Geology Snapshot

You’re walking atop the granitic bones of the Sierra Nevada, uplifted and sculpted by erosion and multiple glaciations that carved the region’s deep valleys and high ridges. The gentle forested terrain here sits on that granitic foundation, with meadows forming where soils and moisture linger.

Heads Up

Don’t confuse this loop with the similarly named short trail in Sequoia National Park near Crescent Meadow—different place entirely. Aim for the Grant Grove/General Grant Tree parking area.