Sequoia National Park - Crescent Meadow Hike

on July 01, 2024

Introduction:

What? :

Crescent Meadow Trail is an easy, flat, 1.5-mile-long loop around large wetland area that is surrounded by forest with few large sequoia trees.

This is one of my favorite short hikes in the park and you can combine it with several other trails and extend it to be longer. This is kids and family friendly hike and usually there are less people here compare to other short hikes in the park.

From my experience this is a great place for wildlife viewing, during my visits here I saw 4 bears in 3 different places.

Where? :

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

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

Crescent Meadow trailhead is located at the end of Crescent Meadow/Moro Rock Road, 2.6 miles from the Giant Forest Museum. Crescent Meadow has a large parking area, picnic area and restrooms at the start of the trailheads.

Crescent Meadow Road may be closed to private vehicles on weekend days (from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm). So, that means that you’ll have to arrive early, or take the shuttle. The shuttle departs from the Giant Forest Museum parking area every 15 minutes and is free.

The road is close during the winter months.

Google Map Link

When? :

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.

Due note 1:

This is in a national park, so it requires an America the Beautiful yearly pass or paying the $35 entrance fee, which is valid for up to seven days.

Due note 2:

I highly recommend coming here as early as you can in the morning or late at the afternoon.

The parking lot for Crescent Meadow holds about 50 cars and used by overnight backpackers so it may be full. This area of the park is quite popular. You may have to wait a bit of time for a spot to open.

There is a Fare-Free Shuttle Service that is connecting from Giant Forest Museum.

During Summer 2024, daily shuttle service begins May 23 and runs through September 2, 2024. Shuttles run from 8:30 am until 6 pm.

Crescent Meadow Picnic Area has accessible restrooms, Crescent Meadow Trail is partially paved and may be accessible, depending on abilities.

Due note 3:

Pets are prohibited on all trails in the park. This includes paved trails, such as the General Sherman Tree Trail, Big Trees Trail, Grant Tree Trail, and others. Service dogs are permitted anywhere their companion goes.

Due note 4:

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.

Due note 5:

You may encounter high temperatures during the summer and early fall months. Please carry and drink plenty of water. Bring hats and use sunscreen. Restrooms are available in the parking lot.

Due note 6:

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 7:

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). looking for wildlife as bears are often seen in the early morning and late afternoon. When hiking here I saw bears several times so looks like this is indeed a location that has high bear population.

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

I saw many complains about mosquitoes in this area, I came early summer and it was clean.

Due note 8:

There are few restaurant options nearby, near Lodgepole Visitor Center you can find Lodgepole Market & Grill, the Wuksachi Lodge offers pizza and sandwiches with outdoor seating

Due note 9:

The trail out to the meadow is paved, and then turns into packed dirt as you get out a bit further (past the view of the meadow). The paved part of the trail may be okay for those not in great physical condition, but there are some small hills which may make it a bit challenging for those in wheelchairs or not sure on their feet.

Due note 10:

Lodgepole Campground is located not so far but as in many other campgrounds in the National Parks reservations can be hard to come by.

There are other camping options in the park: Dorst Creek and Sunset Campground. Another option is Azalea Campground in the nearby Grant Grove in Kings Canyon NP.

Links to my Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Blogs:

My thoughts:

This relatively easy trail and I came here without a lot of expectations but at the end this was one of my favorite’s short hikes in the park. I came here late in the afternoon because I had 2 hours to pass before going to Moror Rock for sunset. The parking lot was full of cars but after short time I manage to get a parking spot. Although the parking was full this is not as popular as General Sherman and the Congress Trail. The trails were not pack with other people and the forest was quiet.

The trail is fun and easy, surrounding the large open meadow inside the forest. During my hike here I saw two bears, one after the other. At first, they were in the edge of the grassland and later they went deep into the forest.

I also visit here during the morning as part of a much longer hike (see my blog) and saw bears in another nearby location.

Giant Sequoia Trees:

Giant sequoias grow only on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada in California, between 4,000 and 8,000 feet (1219 and 2438 m) in elevation.

Unlike their massive tree size, they start their long journey from tiny pinecones average about 2 inches. These cones require fire to open-up and spread the seeds around.

Giant Sequoias can live up to 3,000 years and part of their survivor strategy is to grow thick bark and accumulate protective tannic acids. The combination of this with the fact that tree branch grow high far above the lower grass fire reach help make the trees to battle against beetle, fire and fungus.

The Hike:

At the end of the Moro Rock / Crescent Meadow Road, you will reach Crescent Meadow parking lot and shuttle stop.

This is a loop trail so it is not so much important which direction you will take.

The Crescent Meadow Loop can be combined with the Tharp’s Log Trail to create a return loop out of the simple out-and-back trail to Tharp’s Log or to other nearby side trails.

I personally dedicate my afternoon hike to the full loop around Crescent Meadow.

From the shuttle stop look for a large sign marks the beginning of the High Sierra Trail.

Follow the paved trail for a few hundred yards, then turn left into the direction of the meadow area. Soon you will reach a small opening in the forest into the meadows.

The view is nice, the bright green grass in the meadow surrounded by the deep dark green of the forest and the red bark of giant sequoias.

Crescent Meadow provides food for grazing wildlife, looks for bear and deer on your hike.

After enjoying the view continue walking on the trail the trail towards Tharps’s Log.

As you follow the trail there aren’t a lot of sequoias around the meadow, but you can find few large one as you circle the meadows.

The Crescent Meadow Loop Trail begins at the High Sierra Trailhead and follows the High Sierra Trail for the first 0.2 miles (0.3 km) before it branches off toward the meadow.

At the next trail junction go left to continue the loop around Crescent Meadow

The Log Meadow Loop Trail taking right will lead you to the direction of Tharp’s Log.

On your hike you will pass the Cleveland Tree, from here the trail is getting away from the edge of the meadows opening.

At the far end of the loop you will have 3 trail junctions, always take left to stay on the Crescent Meadow Trail.

At this point I heard a breaking branch in the meadows.

I stopped and looked but did not see any movement in the tall grass / fern aria. I heard again a nose of breaking tree, but I can’t spot anything, I stopped and waited.

After few minutes I saw movement in the tall fern, I though it is a dear but suddenly I saw black animal moving, approaching my direction, this was a bear.

The black bear was walking in the grassland trying to peal tree barks and looking for insect to eat.

The bear was moving in my direction, so I walk to the side of his path, waiting for him to cross the trail. After some time, the bear crosses the trail and start getting away from the lower meadows and get into the open forest.

He keep looking for dead trees and trying to find more food, he saw me but ignored me completely.

I watch the bear for long time until he move away from the trial into the forest.

I want back to meadow area and start heading to the direction of the parking lot.

Soo after I heard another tree breaking.

I stopped and I saw another black bear, this time his color was brow, standing on one of the large logs looking for food.

I follow this bear; he was heading into the same direction of the first one.

At some point the bear saw me and decided not to be too close and he went back into the meadows and disappear into the tall grass.

The sun was setting down and this was my time to walk back to the parking lot and go to see the sunset from Moro Rock.

From this point the trail is returning along the meadows for about 0.4 mile, back to the starting point parking lot.

Overall, the Crescent Meadow Loop Trail is a short and fun hike, it combine the view of the open meadows and several large sequoia trees. For me, seeing 2 black bears it will always be one of my favorite adventures in this trip.

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