Hikes in Calaveras County

Made famous by one-time resident Mark Twain's short story, The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, this one thousand square mile swath of the sierra foothills has a lot to offer to present day visitors. In addition to the famed jumping frog jubilee and a popular wine-tasting town, Calaveras County has several areas for hiking. Not far from Yosemite National Park on the west side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the sparely populated county is covered with rugged subalpine woodlands largely protected by Stanislaus National Forest. ... Read more.
Latest reports in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (page 16)
Sierra Nevada

Dome Rock
in Giant Sequoia National Monument

Sequoia NF | Trails
Trail Rating:
Dome Rock in Giant Sequoia National Monument
As the straightforward name implies, Dome Rock is a large dome... made of rock. The granite dome offers easy-to-reach views of Sequoia National Forest and Golden Trout Wilderness. A short dirt road ends alongside the 400-foot tall, 800-foot wide protrusion. From there, a quick trail takes hikers to the top. Dome Rock is similar to other granite domes common the Sierra Nevada Mountains. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Domes · Free Trails · Giant Sequoia National Monument · Springville · Western Divide · Western Divide Ranger District
Distance: 0.5 miles · Elevation change: 75 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: June 20, 2010 Last updated: April 9, 2026
Sierra Nevada

Needles Lookout
in Giant Sequoia National Monument

Sequoia NF | Trails
Trail Rating:
Needles Lookout in Giant Sequoia National Monument
For an overview of Giant Sequoia National Monument, hike the 5-mile round trip trail to Needles Lookout, where a watchtower built atop a formation of rocky spires provides an amazing view. A ranger is stationed in the lookout during the dry months to keep watch over the forest. You could spot a far-off fire from here, and the panoramic view from 8,254 feet is well worth the hike. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Free Trails · Giant Sequoia National Monument · Lookout Towers · Springville · Summits · Western Divide · Western Divide Ranger District
Distance: 5 miles · Elevation change: 500 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: June 19, 2010 Last updated: April 9, 2026
Sierra Nevada

Trail of 100 Giants
in Giant Sequoia National Monument

Sequoia NF | Trails
Trail Rating:
Trail of 100 Giants in Giant Sequoia National Monument
The Trail of 100 Giants offers a leisurely loop through a grove of giant sequoias. With easy access off the Western Divide Highway, this is practically a required stop on a trip to Giant Sequoia National Monument. Located within Long Meadow Grove, this trail gives visitors an opportunity to revel beneath these enormous beauties. Enjoy a half-mile paved loop or extend things a bit on a 1. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Giant Sequoia National Monument · Nature Trails · Porterville · Sequoia Groves · Western Divide · Western Divide Ranger District
Distance: 1.3 miles · Elevation change: 80 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: June 17, 2010 Last updated: April 9, 2026
Sierra Nevada

Camping in the Western Divide Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument

Campgrounds | Sequoia NF
Camping in the Western Divide Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument
The largest area of Giant Sequoia National Monument lies in the Western Divide Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest, on the west side the Sierra Nevada Mountains south of Sequoia National Park. In addition to cozy car camping, the national monument offers access to giant sequoia groves and several fine trails. Of the ten campgrounds in the Western Divide Ranger District, Quaking Aspen is one of the largest, with 32 well-spaced sites that can be reserved online (for a fee) or on a first-come first-serve basis. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Giant Sequoia National Monument · Tent Camping · Western Divide · Western Divide Ranger District
By: Seth Smigelski Published: June 17, 2010 Last updated: April 12, 2026
Sierra Nevada

Monarch Lakes
in Sequoia National Park

Sequoia | Trails
Trail Rating:
Monarch Lakes in Sequoia National Park
The beautiful Monarch Lakes grace the Sierra in an alpine cradle beneath Sawtooth Peak in the Mineral King Region of Sequoia National Park. A 9.4-mile round trip hike climbs over 2,500 feet to visit the picturesque pair of high-elevation lakes. Make your way to the Sawtooth Trailhead near the end of Mineral King and start up the trail. The first 0. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Lakes · National Parks
Distance: 9.4 miles · Elevation change: 2500 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: April 27, 2010 Last updated: December 5, 2025
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