Best Trails in Sequoia National Park

I was the only person camping out at Emerald Lake this past Friday, May 18th. The trail is free of snow until Heather Lake and fully covered in snow from Heather Lake to Emerald Lake. Micro-spikes are needed, especially during the early morning hours after the overnight freeze. I attempted to hike to Pearl Lake but was unable to cross the creek of rushing water from Emerald Lake down to Aster Lake. The creek was deep, about 5 to 6 feet wide with snow on both banks. May be later this summer when I can come back and hike to Pearl Lake. The Watchtower Trail is closed, until further notice, due to snow and ice. On the way back to Wolverton and spoke to the ranger who went up on horseback and mules to retrieve equipments left up there after the SAR of the San Diegan hiker who lost his life on May 13th while hiking the Watchtower Trail. Be safe out there.

Tried to do this hike today 5/19/18 but the last gate before Silver City is closed due to a washout on the road. Its another 5 1/2 to 6 miles of walking on the paved road until you get to the trail head. According to a park ranger I met there the gate should open in a week or 2. I

Easy hike with lots of huge sequoia’s. Lots of people but nature takes over and you can quickly forget who is around you

The views are unbelievable - worth going up all the way! The stairs do get tiring but I'd call it moderate. Coming back down is very quick.

The biggest recommendation is go early! I got to the tree by about 8:30am and there were just a few others there. I also suggest continuing on to the Congress Trail to see more giant sequoias without the crowds.

Such a beautiful trail that meanders through the forest. You get great views of some big trees and unique groups of several trees together (The Senate and The House). I recommend going very early (before 9am) and you pretty much have the place to yourself. It’s incredibly quiet and peaceful. My only criticism is that the majority of the identifying signs for the trees were down for repair with a sign that they would be back up in spring 2017. (I hiked it 5/18/18, still no signs).

Beautiful trail, never really knew it was there but glad I found it. Really easy and has amazing views.

there's a larger series of trails in here besides this paved section- we got out early and hiked all around, beautiful to do in the morning when there's no one else there! Lots of beautiful trees besides General Grant, get out on the non-paved trails to see them!

great view payoff from the top- go early and you'll have it to yourself!

Gorgeous lakes. The hike has it's best views from the watchtower trail. one way to consider accessing Pear Lake is the climb Alta Peak first and then scrambling down the back side down to Pear Lake. It is fun and allows you to see a wide variety of things.

Beautiful view ... well worth the time greeting up early and watching the sunrise. If you are up for a long day and a journey, get up early and watch the sunrise at Moro Rock. Then proceed to the coast and watch the sunset at Morro Rock.

This is even more beautiful in the winter. You will need a pair of snow shoes and hike from the museum. Well worth the hike in the snow. Gorgeous!!!

A great little hike. Best done early in the season so you get to enjoy the falls when they are flowing. I have hiked this quite a few times. Anticipate bear sightings - I've seen a bear over half the times I've been on this hike. Great hike for kids or people who are out of shape and want the opportunity to enjoy beautiful scenery.

One of my favorite hikes ... complete it once every year. It has a couple places which make you work. The last face definitely makes you work for the end game ... an absolutely gorgeous view of the Sequoias. If you are adventurous, you can go off trail and scramble down to Pear Lake down below. In the summer, make sure you start out as early a possible because mid afternoon thunderstorms are common in the area. I was stranded in a lightning storm for a couple hours one year. Bring plenty of water when hot as water holes aren't always available.

This is definitely not a moderate hike - my then 3 yo (the first time there) had not problem with this. I love this hike as it is a great place for kids to get their energy out without taking then on a huge hike. Sunset rock had a wonderful view on clear days. Great place for a picnic. Have seen deer each time there and a bear one time.

Okay trail. Paved and very accessible for those that may struggle with walking. Very, very busy though.

Great, easy trail! We went in May, when the wild flowers were in bloom. Stunning!!!

Great short hike from the museum to Moro Rock through some Sequoia Trees and great mountain peak views. Only wish is that the railings when you get to Moro Rock were just slightly higher and all the way up.

Still quite a bit of snow around the first lake. Didn't attempt to go any further, and wouldn't recommend it for a while still. Easy enough to find the trail using the signs on the trees, but would have been lost otherwise. Couldn't see much given that the clouds formed a mist around the higher parts of the trail and down into the valley. Maybe better to do this one on a clear summer day?

Intense!! Feels great being at the top of the park. Cant wait to come back and do it on a clear summer night.

Best place in the park to see many giant Sequoias together. In the meadow we saw 2 bears and a family of dear all at once!

I would hike this every weekend, the canyon leading up to the falls alone is just gorgeous. Very lucky to be here in mid May for the amazing full power of the falls. Tokopah falls was a major highlight of our trip.

this trail is actually 3.7 each way, making it a 7.4 total distance (per the NPS Trail Map). bring lots of water or a purifier system, the lower 2 miles are very warm.

mile 1: switchbacks to start (5/6), gentle climb through oaks
mile 2-3: steady climb, trail begins to follow cliff face with loose gravel, watch your step
mile 3: gets steep uphill here, doesn't last long
mile 3.5: gradual decent into waterfall zone.

pros:
-awesome marble waterfalls, duh.
-great wildflowers
-breathtaking geology
-inspiring vistas

cons:
-nettles.
-i saw a snake, be prepared.
-nowhere to overnight .

be advised, poison oak within 3 feet of trail, and small rattler (18") was lounging at trails edge when I approached. Coaxed him away with small pebbles but his signature rattle did give me quite a scare.

Beautiful view from the top. Would recommend late spring or fall as it is an uphill climb going in and can get hot. There are no springs or waterfalls along the way. Beautiful during spring with lots of green.

Great hike, lots of poison oak. We saw a baby bear on the hike out. The picture doesn’t do this place justice.

The panoramic view + an additional mile beyond are worth it. The fire lookout was lame with no views

this was really a great hike today. It's not really 5.5 miles but it is actually 4.4 miles. it really was beautiful and we really had a great time

Fewer people on this trail than the General Sherman Trail, but I'd still call ik "moderately trafficked". You walk along some huge Sequoia Trees with nametags.

This trail is nothing special: very busy and paved. But you get to see the General and it's also the starting point for several other trails. I recommend the Congress Trail.

I would rate this hike as easy. Slight elevation gain in the beginning and then it flattens out. I stopped at the rocks about 1 mile before the end since there was better views. Bring a snack and enjoy the beautiful views on a clear day

So much fun!!! I went when the stairs up to the top were covered in ice. Pretty sketchy - proceed with caution if you don’t have the proper shoe wear. Love love love sequoia ❤️❤️❤️