Admiration Point

Admiration Point is a pale marble outcrop high above Deep Canyon, looking toward Marble Falls and the western edge of the Giant Forest Plateau. It is a remote hiking destination for people comfortable with a difficult, exposed route, not a quick pullout. The documented Crystal Cave Road approach is 5.8 miles round trip with about 1,800 feet of climbing, including a steep descent to the point that has to be climbed back out. The North Fork and Crystal Cave Road approaches are distinct; check current park trail conditions and confirm your route before setting out.

A cable rail borders the outcrop above a sheer drop of about 1,000 feet. Marble Falls spills through Deep Canyon below, and on a clear day Moro Rock stands out on the far edge of the plateau. You can hear the falls from the point. For a photo that shows the drop, keep a little pale marble and the cable in the foreground, then frame out across the canyon.

The approach follows Colony Mill Road, a historic roadbed built by the Kaweah Cooperative Colony between 1886 and 1890 to reach the sequoias of Giant Forest for logging. Sequoia became a national park in 1890, ending the colony’s plan; the park later kept and extended the road as its route to Giant Forest.

The old roadbed crosses shaded forest, but the path is overgrown and sparsely maintained in places. Near the outcrop it drops steeply, so expect brush, uneven footing, and a demanding climb back up. The viewpoint itself is highly exposed even with cables at the edge. Bring the food and water you need for the hike and keep an eye out for ticks in brushy sections.