The park services didn’t exactly think outside the box much when naming this trail. It’s not much of a hike, but it is a nice little stroll through The Giant Forest around a meadow which allows you to see some really beautifully big trees.
Overview:
- Distance: 3/4 mi
- Type: Loop
- Time: 20mins
- Elevation at trailhead: 6,200 feet
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 0ft
- Difficulty: Easy
- Crowd Factor: Moderate
- Best Time: June-Aug
- Permits/Fees: Sequoia National Park Entry Fee: $35
- Water: No
Directions to the Trail Head
From the east entrance gate on Highway 198 (just past the town of Three Rivers), follow the road for amount an hour. You’ll come to the Giant Forest Museum on your right. Park across the street in the large parking lot.
From the museum, there’s a clearly marked path with sign for the trail.
Sequoia National Park Fees
- Individual (on foot or bicycle) – Good for 7 Days: $15
- Motorcycle – Good for 7 Days: $25
- Automobile with up to 4 people – Good for 7 Days: $30
- Death Valley Annual Pass – Good for 1 Year: $50
What To Expect Along The Trail
The trail starts at the Giant Forest Museum and follows a paved path on a ridge above the road. In a few hundred feet, the path will cross the road as you near the meadow.
From here the trail does a loop around the meadow, which you can start in either direction. The path is paved or in some places, a wooden bridge when it gets marshy. Very even and accessible to wheelchairs.
There are several really big trees along the path, which you can walk up to and sit on etc. The far side of the meadow gets pretty quiet and can be full of peeping frogs if you’re there at sunset. There are several benched and plaques with information about the sequoia trees and how they grow along the path.
Once you return to the entrance of the meadow, the path continues to the right of the road and will bring you back to the parking lot.