Sequoia National Park - Buck Rock Lookout

on June 30, 2024

Introduction:

What? :

Located in the Sequoia National Forest, between Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, Buck Rock Lookout on the edge of a granite dome and offers a 360 degree of breathtaking view, forests, canyons and high mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Access to this location is via forest dirt road that will take you to the parking. From the forest below a series of wooden stair suspended on the side of the rock lead to the lookout platform.

The view from the top is impressing and during sunset you can see the sun setting far away to the west.

Where? :

Kings Canyon National Park is in the heart of California central Sierra mountains, adjusted north of Sequoia National Park.

It is about six hours to drive from Los Angeles and six hours to drive from San Francisco.

From Fresno, take Hwy 180 east into Kings Canyon National Park, then turn right onto the General’s Highway (the direction of Sequoia National Park) traveling for 8 miles up to the Big Meadows Road junction on your left (right for people coming from Sequoia NP).

Turn left onto FS 14S11, you will see clear signs from the forest service, follow the road for about 3 miles to Horse Camp campground.

Here you need to turn left onto FS 13S04, a rocky narrow dirt road. Follow the signs to Buck Rock, approximately 2.5 miles.

Park in the marked parking area, from here you have a short walk past the close gate to the lookout base.

Google Map Link

When? :

Buck Rock lookout is open to the public from 10:30 to 5:00 daily during fire season, usually June to October, but may be closed due to fire activity or adverse weather conditions.

During the winter month the area is covered with snow and not accessible.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National parks are open year-round although not all roads are clear of snow during winter (see below). The best time to visit here is during the summer months, from May to September.

Summer month can introduce hot days even in high elevation. At mid-late summer you can have forest fires and smoke that cover the view during that season.

During the summer month you may start your day with clear blue skies, but weather conditions can change quickly and by midday, you may find yourself in a strong summer storm with wind, rain and thunderstorm.

Lightning activity in the Sierra during summer months is common (can cause forest fire). Thunder clouds buildup seen far off in the distance can be an indicator of incoming lightning activity, you should evaluate your location and if you are in high and expose area you need to seek shelter or lower ground.

Winter months are very cold and stormy, and the area and trails are covered by snow. Tire chains may be required on park roads any time it snows, usually late fall, winter, and through spring.

The recommended and safe enter to the park during winter, when the roads are covered with snow and ice is via highway 180 coming up from Fresno.

Winter roads closer:

· General Highway coming from the south (coming from Visalia, CA) in it steep and narrow switchbacks section can be close.

· Highway 180 road in heading down into Kings Canyon is closed during winter month when deep snow covers the road, usually between Jan to March.

· Crescent Meadow Rd leading to Moro Rock is close during the winter months.

Links to my Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Blogs:

Due note 1:

The 2.5 miles forest dirt road drive from the Big Meadows Road probably need a high clearance car, 4x4 is recommended but not mandatory.

Please check road conditions before traveling. When raining driving conditions can become challenging in few sections.

Due note 2:

There is no water available on site.

Due note 3:

Picnic tables and a restroom are available just below the lookout.

Due note 4:

The lookout tower is not handicap accessible. The historic 172-step staircase requires a steep and strenuous climb.

Due note 5:

No more than 6 people at a time are recommended in the lookout as there is very little room on top. Please keep in mind that the lookout is used as an office and residence for the fire watcher on duty.

Pets are permitted on a 6' lease on the trail and at the base of the lookout, but are not allowed on the steps or in the lookout for safety reasons.

Due note 6:

Although this is relatively a simple drive from the road to the lookout know how to use a topographical or Navigation systems or map as well as your compass or GPS unit before going out. Download hike map in advance, in most park area there is no cell reception.

Due note 7:

Wear a hat use Sunglasses and sunscreen. Even during the summer months be prepared for sudden changes in weather conditions. Pack an extra layer of clothing that reflects the most extreme conditions you could encounter.

Salty and easy to digest snacks work well for outdoor activities.

Due note 8:

Black bears, though not always black, are found throughout Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Never touch or feed ANY wild animals. View animals at safe distances (the length of two city buses from more dangerous animals like bears).

Rattlesnakes are common in the Sequoia foothills and in the Kings Canyon at low elevation.

Due note 9:

Hazard trees can be very dangerous in burned areas. Check at trailheads for information about potential hazards or closures.

Due note 10:

Buck Rock Campground as many other open forest campgrounds are available in the nearby forest.

First come - First serve only, requires paying the Park Entrance Fee.

This is a bear country; visitors should follow safety precautions and store food properly.

Due to the spread of invasive insects, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Fire restrictions may be enforced at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions.

Due Note 11:

There are no gas stations within the national parks. Be sure to fill your tanks before you enter the park or ensure that you have enough gas to reach one of the two gas stations in the neighboring national forest:

· You can find gas stations on highway 180 before entering the park

· Hume Lake (open year-round)

· On the road leading to Sequoia National Park at Stony Creek Resort & Gas Station (open summer only).

· In Three Rivers not so far from Visalia.

There are no charging stations for electric vehicles.

My thoughts:

I saw the fire lookout from Kings Canyon Overlook many years back and I wanted to visit this place since then. I learned that you need high clearance car and last time I visit Sequoia and kings Canyon National Parks I finally manage to visit this fire lookout.
I was not disappointed, the view from here is breathtaking and I enjoy my time here very much.

I stayed here for the sunset and was nearby for sunrise.

The visit:

Located in the Giant Sequoia National Monument (National Forest) on the tip of a granite dome at 8,502’ Buck Rock Lookout offers a spectacular 360-degree view, stretching from the Coastal Ranges across the San Joaquin Valley to the west up to the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada to the east.

The current lookout building was constructed in 1923 and is historically significant as a representation of the earliest 4-A style live-in cabs of which there are only three in existence in the world today.

Fire lookouts were originally developed to help protect our nation’s forests from devastating wildfires. Established as early as 1912, Buck Rock was one of the first permanent fire detection locations in the Sierra Nevada. The current building was constructed in 1921-22 and is historically significant as one of the earliest live-in style cabs.

For several years in the 1980’s and 1990’s Buck Rock was closed, with a cooperation of a local organization and the Forest Service it was finally re-opened in 2000 and today Buck Rock is staffed seven days a week during a fire season that can stretch for 6 months.

You can see the lookout from few viewings point west of the lookout along Generals Highway. This is how it looks from Kings Canyon Overlook:

This is how it looks from Kings Canyon Panoramic Point Overlook:

From a distance the lookout appears to be a small shack tipping a rock hundreds of feet above the surrounding forest.

As describe above the 2.5 miles long dirt road lead to the lookout small parking.

A short dirt trail lead from the parking area to the base of the granite rock. Here you can find a picnic area and restroom.

During my countless trips I saw many public forest/national parks restrooms and I view this as the most maintainable, clean and with a good smell of them all!

There are books here and explanation material.

Well done to the local volunteers that keep this site in a tip-top shape!

From the base of the rock, short rocky steps lead to the partially suspended wooden staircase that climb up the side of the rock. After few staircases and ascending 172 steps (an elevation gain of 300 feet), visitors reach the lookout level.

You can walk outside the lookout or get inside and talk with the forest ranger.

The view to all directions is impressive:

To the north, Spanish Mountain raising above the deep Kings River canyon.

To the east the Monarch and Jennie Lakes Wilderness Areas covered with forests appear as foreground to the high Sierra snow-capped peaks.

To the southeast you can see the high elevation section of the Sequoia National Park. Looking to the west you can see Kings Canyon National Park and far to the west, if visibility is good, you can see the Coastal Ranges across the San Joaquin Central Valley.

The lookout is closed at 5pm and reopen at 10:30 and you can’t climb the staircase.

The view from this and nearby top of the mountain at sunset or sunrise is rewording.

At my first visit to the lookout, I came late at the afternoon when the tower steps where already closed. I waited near by to see the sunset and to take some night pictures of the lookout.

I revisit this place at another day and walk all the way up to the tower.

When visiting here you can also visit the nearby forest that offer many options for offroad trail driving, mountain biking and hiking.

www:

https://buckrock.org/buck-rock-lookout/

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sequoia/recreation/recarea/?recid=79589

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