Trail of the Sequoias

Overview

Looking for the Giant Forest without the General Sherman crowds? This is your move. The Trail of the Sequoias slips through the quieter eastern side of the Giant Forest, weaving past towering sequoias and a string of lush meadows. The named trail is 2.8 miles one way, with most hikers adding a simple 0.5-mile approach on the High Sierra Trail from Crescent Meadow to reach it. Expect a serene walk among massive trunks, birdsong, and a good chance of wildlife.

Route Options

• Crescent Meadow start (quieter): From the High Sierra Trailhead at Crescent Meadow, walk about 0.5 miles before branching onto the Trail of the Sequoias. Follow it to meet the Congress Trail near the Chief Sequoyah Tree, then continue to the Sherman area to catch the shuttle back.
• General Sherman start (busier): Begin near the General Sherman Tree via the Congress Trail and connect to the Trail of the Sequoias for a longer outing.
• Want bigger mileage? A popular combo loop linking Congress Trail, the Trail of the Sequoias, and the Sherman area is roughly 7.0 miles with about 1,250 feet of gain. Or add the flat 1.5-mile Crescent Meadow Loop for extra meadow time without much effort.

Terrain and Difficulty

This is mostly gentle forest singletrack with one meaningful climb after crossing Crescent Creek, then a gradual descent toward the Congress Trail. Wayfinding matters: there are several junctions near Crescent and Log Meadows, so stay alert at intersections. Overall it’s an easy-to-moderate outing depending on your start point and whether you shuttle or backtrack.

Highlights

• Four classic meadows—Crescent, Log, Circle, and Huckleberry—spotlight the park’s meadow–sequoia mosaic. In Crescent Meadow, the brilliant greens against red sequoia bark make excellent photos.
• Tharp’s Log at Log Meadow, a historic cabin built into a fallen sequoia, is a worthy side spur.
• A tunnel-through fallen sequoia at Crescent Creek serves as a fun midpoint landmark.
• The trail meets the Congress Trail near Chief Sequoyah, making it easy to tack on the President, House, and Senate clusters if you’re up for more giants.

Best Time to Hike

• Summer and early fall offer the easiest logistics. Start early for good light in the meadows and to beat Sherman-area crowds; use the shuttle for a smooth point-to-point.
• Winter and spring can bring road and trail closures; tire chains may be required. Check conditions before you go.

Logistics and Tips

• Parking at Crescent Meadow and the Sherman Tree trailheads is available, but the shuttle is your friend in peak season—start at Crescent Meadow and ride back from the Sherman area to avoid retracing steps.
• This is bear country. Give wildlife space, secure food and scented items, and know that bear spray is not permitted in the park.
• Meadows are fragile—stay on established trails and boardwalks; no cutting across open grass.
• Pick up a map at a visitor center or the Giant Forest Museum, and confirm current closures the day of your hike.