Hikes in California

Kings Canyon is a rugged trench in the Sierra Nevada Mountains that is so remote it can only be accessed from one road. In such a landscape, where a pristine river slices down a canyon between sheer rock walls, you would not expect to find a long and level trail suitable for casual hikers, but that's exactly what you will find on Kanawyer Loop Trail. ...Read more.

If you visit the Grant Grove Area of Kings Canyon National Park, you will probably want to stop by both the General Grant Tree in the Grant Grove and the visitor center in nearby Grant Village. You can drive between these two locations or connect them on foot with a trail that is one-mile one-way, passing through Azalea Campground to bridge the two busy areas. ...Read more.

The General Grant Tree Trail is the busiest hike in the Grant Grove Area of Kings Canyon National Park, but most visitors probably don't know that the popular paved loop can be used to reach North Boundary Trail, a narrow dirt trail that sees little foot traffic. Cross through the Grant Grove to reach a 2.75-mile loop on North Boundary Trail and North Boundary Cutoff Trail that circles a pine forest that borders the famous sequoia grove. ...Read more.

The Grant Grove is one of the top draws in Kings Canyon National Park, containing the park's most important sequoia, the General Grant Tree. The Grant Grove is one of the world's premier sequoia habitats with several of the world's largest trees. It is the oldest section of Kings Canyon National Park, first protected as General Grant National Park in 1890. ...Read more.

Dead Giant Loop Trail is an enjoyable single-track loop trail through a forest of giant sequoias and pines in the Grant Grove Area of Kings Canyon National Park. In addition to a massive still-standing dead sequoia, the lightly traveled trail passes Sequoia Lake Overlook, which presents views over a small blue reservoir to the southwest just outside the national park. ...Read more.

On the west side of the Grant Grove Area of Kings Canyon National Park, you will find the North Grove of Giant Sequoias, where hikers can set out downhill on a loop through a forest of big trees. North Grove Trail is 1.4 miles long and connects to Sunset Trail at both ends to form a 2-mile loop with 350 feet of elevation change. North Grove Trail combines nicely with the adjacent Dead Giant Loop Trail (which passes Sequoia Lake Overlook) for a 3. ...Read more.

Of course it is Yosemite Valley that rules the Sierra when it comes to waterfalls, but Kings Canyon has some regal waterfalls of its own, like Roaring River Falls. Located just off Generals Highway in the Cedar Grove Area of Kings Canyon National Park, the short but violent waterfall can be reached on a paved 0.3-mile round trip hike. Roaring River Falls makes a quick, rewarding outing and a worthwhile stop for anyone driving into Kings Canyon. ...Read more.

Despite being the world's largest grove of giant sequoias, the Redwood Mountain Grove receives far fewer visitors than the Giant Forest and the General Grant Grove. Those that do visit are in for a treat. Redwood Mountain Grove is a haven for hikers. Three long trails exploring the Redwood Mountain Grove (Sugar Bowl Trail, Redwood Creek Trail, and Hart Tree Trail) can be coupled to form three different loops through the peaceful grove. ...Read more.

What's taller than a giant sequoia? In the Redwood Mountain Grove, the world's largest sequoia grove, the something taller is Buena Vista Peak, a granite summit that rises above the big trees. The hike to the top of Buena Vista Peak is just 2 miles round trip with 420 feet of elevation gain, making it one of the easier summits to reach in the Sierra. ...Read more.

In the Sierra Nevada Mountains, sometimes you have to hike a great distance to a great view, and sometimes you don't. Panoramic Point is the latter. The outstanding overlook can be reached via a paved 0.5-mile round trip hike with one switchback. The views are worthy of the name, looking northeast over Kings Canyon and surrounding snowy peaks. The trailhead is just a couple miles from Grant Village in the Grant Grove Area of Kings Canyon National Park, making it an easy-to-reach trailhead for an easy hike to views that are easy on the eyes! ...Read more.