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 19)
Sierra Nevada

Crescent Meadow Loop to Chimney Tree and Tharp’s Log in Sequoia National Park

Sequoia | Trails
Trail Rating:
Crescent Meadow Loop to Chimney Tree and Tharp’s Log in Sequoia National Park
For those traveling to the Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park, Crescent Meadow offers a gentle hike that is great for children and adults. The trail features a variety of scenery, a tree to climb inside, and another that was made into a house. The basic distance of the hike to see Tharp's Log and the Chimney Tree is 1.6 miles, but that can be extended in several ways to see more of the area. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Giant Forest · National Parks · Sequoia Groves
Distance: 1.6 miles · Elevation change: 150 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: April 20, 2010 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Sierra Nevada

Beetle Rock
in Sequoia National Park

Attractions | Sequoia | Trails
Trail Rating:
Beetle Rock in Sequoia National Park
Beetle Rock looks down on the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains from Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park and delivers tremendous views with little effort. While it doesn't really qualify as a hike, (although those determined to hike to this granite dome can do so) the rock is definitely worth checking out. On the south side of the Giant Forest Museum parking lot, a short paved road leads up to the Beetle Rock Center, a facility for educational groups that are studying the park. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Domes · Giant Forest · National Parks
Distance: 0.25 miles · Elevation change: 50 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: April 20, 2010 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Sierra Nevada

Sunset Rock
in Sequoia National Park

Sequoia | Trails
Trail Rating:
Sunset Rock in Sequoia National Park
Sunset Rock offers fine westerly views across Sequoia National Park. After walking amongst the giant sequoias or hiking more serious trails in the Sierra, a stroll out to Sunset Rock may be the best way to end the day. Across the road from the Giant Forest Museum, start down a paved trail that descends to a wooden bridge over Little Deer Creek. Cross the footpath that follows the stream and take the dirt path rising up the bank in front of you. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Domes · Giant Forest · National Parks
Distance: 2 miles · Elevation change: 50 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: April 20, 2010 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Sierra Nevada

Congress Loop
in Sequoia National Park

Sequoia | Trails
Trail Rating:
Congress Loop in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is a wonderful place to scroll through groves of giant Sequoias. If a visit to General Sherman Trail (the world's largest) leaves you eager for more, take a stroll around Congress Loop and enjoy a bit more privacy among the massive trees. Congress Trail heads away from General Sherman to visits several other named trees. In addition to the House Cluster and Senate Cluster, the trail passes the President Tree (the fourth largest giant sequoia), and the Lincoln Tree (the fifth largest). ...Read more.
Tagged with · Giant Forest · National Parks · Sequoia Groves
Distance: 2 miles · Elevation change: 230 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: April 19, 2010 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Sierra Nevada

General Sherman Tree
in Sequoia National Park

Sequoia | Trails
Trail Rating:
General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park
The General Sherman Tree is the most giant giant sequoia in the world. It is the largest tree by volume, measuring 275 feet tall and 36.5 feet across at the base. General Sherman Tree is believed to be 2,200 years old and weigh 1,385 tons. But those are numbers – numbers that a brain familiar with standard-sized trees cannot process. The only way to appreciate the unfathomable, almost unearthly size of the giant sequoias is the see one for yourself. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Giant Forest · National Parks · Nature Trails · Sequoia Groves
Distance: 1 mile · Elevation change: 200 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: April 19, 2010 Last updated: December 5, 2025
← Older Entries Newer Entries →