Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Mike White
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for further exploration of the bridge and creek.
Wuksachi Junction: As part of the restoration of the Giant Forest, all lodging was moved away from the environmentally sensitive giant sequoia grove to Wuksachi Village in 1999. Along with 102 rooms, the village has a dining room, gift shop, and conference facilities, as well as a trailhead for the Wuksachi Trail (see Trip 47).
Red Fir Junction: During the Giant Forest’s restoration, maintenance facilities were also relocated to Red Fir. A short distance past the junction is a gate, where the NPS will periodically close the Generals Highway during winter storms. Beyond this gate you’ll see little development for the next several miles, as a relatively quiet section of road weaves through mid-elevation forests composed mainly of firs and pines.
Halstead Meadow and Picnic Area: The highway passes a picturesque meadow bisected by Halstead Creek. Just past the creek on the left is the Halstead Picnic Area, with picnic tables, grills, and vault toilets but no running water.
Suwanee Creek: The highway inauspiciously crosses Suwanee Creek, which appears to the casual observer to be little more than a pleasant stream. Hidden from view a mile to the south is Suwanee Grove, a somewhat inaccessible 100-acre pocket of forest harboring nearly 300 giant sequoias, one of the many lesser-known giant sequoia groves in Sequoia and Kings Canyon.
Little Baldy Saddle: After climbing for several miles, the Generals Highway tops out at Little Baldy Saddle, which sits on the divide between the Marble Fork and North Fork of the Kaweah River. The right-hand shoulder allows vehicle parking for hikers bound for the top of Little Baldy, one of several granite domes poking above the surrounding forest on the west side of the parks. The 1.75-mile hike to the site of a former fire lookout leads to a fine view of the surrounding parklands (see Trip 48).
Dorst Creek Campground: An access road on the left-hand side of the highway leads down to the fir-shaded campground, open from late June through early September. Although popular, Dorst emits an ambiance of being one of the quieter campgrounds in the parks. Several trails emanate from the campground, including the 2-mile hike to Muir Grove, where hikers can commune with the giant sequoias without the hubbub usually found in the more popular groves (see Trip 49).
Cabin Creek: Immediately past the highway bridge over Cabin Creek is a small pullout, from where a little-used trail follows the west bank of the creek toward a junction of a trail heading west to Lost Grove (see Trip 50) and then continuing south to Dorst Campground (see Trip 51).
Lost Grove: Despite its location next to the Generals Highway, Lost Grove is one of the more serene giant sequoia groves in the parks accessible by automobile. The grove is sheltered in a narrow ravine, well-watered by a tributary of Dorst Creek, which produces conditions compatible for growth of the Big Trees. Containing nearly 200 specimens in 50 acres, the upper part of Lost Grove on the north side of the highway has a short nature trail. A longer trail on the south side heads south and then east to Dorst Campground (see Trip 50). This grove is certainly not “lost” nowadays, but the origin of its name remains unclear.
Sequoia National Park boundary: A historic sign marks your departure from national parklands at the entrance to Giant Sequoia National Monument. Formerly, these lands were simply part of Sequoia National Forest until President Bill Clinton designated the monument in 2000. While the National Park Service is responsible for the parks, the US Forest Service retains oversight of the monument, which includes 33 giant sequoia groves on the west flank of the Sierra.
Stony Creek Campgrounds and Day Use Area: Two Forest Service campgrounds, three group campgrounds farther up the highway, and a picnic area provide recreational opportunities near Stony Creek, a tributary of North Fork Kaweah River. The upper campground also has a small parking area at the trailhead for the Stony Creek Trail (see Trip 52).
Stony Creek Village: On the left side of the highway is a seasonally open lodge with motel-style accommodations, a general store, restaurant, showers, and gas station.
Montecito Sequoia Lodge: Also on the left side of the highway, Montecito Sequoia is an all-season, all-inclusive resort near a private lake. Lodging is available in hotel-style rooms, suites, or cabins.
Big Meadow Road Junction: The Big Meadow Road provides access to Horse Camp, Buck Rock, and Big Meadows Campgrounds and Buck Rock Lookout, as well as trailheads for trips into Jennie Lake Wilderness (see Trips 53–56).
Big Baldy Saddle: The highest point on the Generals Highway is reached at Big Baldy Saddle (approximately 7,600 feet), which also coincides with the Kings Canyon National Park’s east boundary. For the next few miles, the highway follows the boundary between the park on the left and national forest land to the right. A broad shoulder at the saddle provides parking for the Big Baldy Trail, which travels 2-plus-miles to the top of a granite dome with a fine 360-degree view (see Trip 57).
Buena Vista Trailhead: A small parking area on the left-hand side of the highway provides limited parking for the 1-mile hike to the top of Buena Vista Peak and a view of the Redwood Mountain area (see Trip 58).
Kings Canyon Overlook: On the right-hand side of the Generals Highway is a parking for an overlook of the deep clefts of the South Fork and Middle Fork Kings River canyons,