Location, Directions, and Access
Sequoia High Sierra Camp is set among Red Fir, Lodgepole and Western White Pine forests in Giant Sequoia National Monument, on Sequoia National Forest land between Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park. The road leading to the Camp is just 63 miles from Fresno via Highway 180. Fresno is served by Amtrak, Greyhound and daily flights into Fresno/Yosemite International Airport.
Welcoming both serious hikers and less adventurous outdoor enthusiasts, Sequoia High Sierra Camp is at an elevation of 8,282 feet and offers unique drive-in access as well as a more challenging hike-in option. Drivers park their vehicles at the Sequoia High Sierra Camp parking lot (also the site of the Marvin Pass Trailhead) and follow an easy 1-mile trek into the Camp. For advanced hikers, a well-marked, 12-mile backcountry trail originating at the Lodgepole Visitor Center (in Sequoia National Park) leads to the Camp; the average excursion takes 8 hours.
Drive-In Option (Recommended)
From Highway 180 (Fresno): Follow signage past the park entrance to Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Parks (right turn at Y intersection). You will be on the Generals Highway; follow this road for 6 miles until you reach a sign for the Big Meadows Horse Corral Road. Turn left onto this road.
~ or ~
From Highway 198 (Visalia): Follow the Generals Highway into Sequoia National Park. 16.7 miles past the Wuksachi Lodge is a sign for the Big Meadows Horse Corral Road. Turn right onto this road.
Follow this road to the Marvin Pass trailhead (though there are numerous turnouts along the way, always stay on the paved road). When you see the sign marked "Marvin Pass trailhead" take a hard right turn and continue for 2.5 miles until you reach the parking lot. This section of the road is unpaved, dusty and narrow (single lane in numerous spots). Watch for potholes. This section is not recommended for low-clearance vehicles.
Park in the Sequoia High Sierra Camp/Marvin Pass Trail parking lot. After registering at the metal box at the bottom of the trail, follow trailside signage to reach Sequoia High Sierra Camp. The 1-mile trail begins at 8,200 feet elevation and climbs to 8,500 over a short distance. The first 300-foot uphill climb can be difficult for those not acclimated to the high elevation, however the trail levels out toward the middle/end and is considered easy by most hiking standards.
Hike-In Option (Challenging)
The overall hike is 12 miles and begins at the Twin Lakes trailhead, which is reached from the Lodgepole Campground in Sequoia National Park (elevation 6,740 feet). Continue 0.7 miles to a junction and take the right fork towards Willow Meadow. Cross the rocks of Silliman Creek and continue past Cahoon Meadow (elevation 8,640 feet). Continue downhill into Clover Creek (hop across creek) and take the left fork at the next junction towards the JO Pass (an uphill climb for 1.9 miles). Continue for the next 3.2 miles (moderately flat/downhill) and take the right fork at the next junction (elevation 8,995 feet). Continue to the Camp, which is located approximately between Rowell Meadow and Marvin Pass. Elevation Gain: +3,604' - 1,744' = +1,860' total.
Travel times - Trail travel times are largely dependent on the physical fitness of the hiker. Most Sequoia High Sierra Camp guests carry a daypack and lots of water, and most backpackers carrying a full pack average 2 miles per hour. As a general rule of thumb, the average hiking time from Lodgepole to the Camp is 8 hours.
Permits - Guests do not need a wilderness permit for day hiking to or from the Sequoia High Sierra Camp. The only time a permit is required, is if you plan to camp overnight en route to the camp (along the Twin Lakes trail). More information, wilderness permits and directional maps can be obtained at the NPS Wilderness Desk at the Lodgepole Visitor Center.
Travel Distances to Sequoia High Sierra Camp
-
63.0 miles: From Fresno via Highway 180 to Big Meadows Horse Corral Road
-
8.0 miles: From the Kings Canyon/SNP entrance station to Big Meadows Horse Corral Road
-
16.7 miles: From Wuksachi Lodge to Big Meadows Horse Corral Road
-
10.3 miles: From Big Meadows Horse Corral Road to Marvin Pass Trailhead Sign
-
2.5 miles: From Marvin Pass Trailhead Sign to Sequoia High Sierra Camp Parking Lot
For printable trail routes and area maps, visit the maps and directions page at www.sequoiahighsierracamp.com.
Media Contact: Suzanne Hughes,
(901) 292-2635, suzhughes@hotmail.com