North Grove and Dead Giant Loops

This is a roughly 2.8-mile lollipop route from the North Grove Trailhead at General Grant Tree parking, linking the North Grove loop with the Dead Giant loop and its short Sequoia Lake Overlook spur. Allow about 1.5 hours. The route drops from the gate toward Lion Meadow, then climbs back to the lot. A 25-point elevation profile suggests about 470 feet of cumulative climbing, so save some energy for the return.

Published totals for this outing range from 2.5 to 3.25 miles. This mapped figure counts the walk from the parking gate, both loop sections, the overlook spur, and the return to the gate.

Start down Sunset Trail, an old road with dirt and paved stretches, through pines and sequoias. After about a tenth of a mile, North Grove Trail branches right and rejoins Sunset farther downhill. Continue to Lion Meadow and the Dead Giant loop. The narrower loop crosses a carpet of pine needles and passes a huge dead sequoia that is still standing. A second landmark is the fallen sequoia stretched across Lion Meadow.

On the Dead Giant loop, take the short spur at the rounded ridge opening to the boulders above Sequoia Lake. The view looks southwest over the water and forested ridges. Return to the loop and then retrace Sunset Trail to the gate.

Use the General Grant Tree Parking Area. At the west side of the lot, pass the bus and RV spaces and follow the gate onto Sunset Trail. Restrooms and water are available in the parking lot. Pets are prohibited on all park trails. The lakeshore and camp across the water lie outside the park; the overlook is the destination, so stay on the marked route rather than descending toward the shoreline.