Sequoia National Park - Sunset Rock Hike

on July 01, 2024

Introduction:

What? :

The Sunset Rock Trail in Sequoia National Park is a relatively short hike with a distance of 1.6 miles that leads to an exposed granite rock on an edge of a deep gorge. You should plan for 1 hr hike here.

Although not located on a mountain top this granite considered to be one of the most beautiful places to catch the sunset. There are only few large sequoia trees along this hike so if you are coming to see sequoia trees this is not the hike for you.

I did not come here to see the sunset but rather I visit here mid-day as an extension to my Round Meadow hike.

I do think that Moro Rock provide a much nicer view.

The Sunset Rock Trail area and all the mountain to it west were severely burned in the 2021 KNP Complex Fire, you will see the effect of such instance fire on the forest trees and can witness the slow nature recovery process in its early stages.

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.

For the Sunset Rock Trail I do recommend to safely park your car at the nearby large parking lots near the Giant Forest Museum.

When you are approaching from General Sherman the parking lot entrance will be on your right, when coming into the park from the south it is on your left. There is one large parking lot and a continuation road leading to a lower large parking lot.

The Round Meadow parking lot is reserved for handicapped parking only.

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:

The parking lot near the museum is large with overflow parking, from there it is just a short walk to Round Meadow trail and the trailhead to Sunset Rock.

There is a Fare-Free Shuttle Service that is connecting from Giant Forest Museum to other main park attractions.

Due note 3:

There are restroom facilities and drinking water near the Giant Forest Museum and Round Meadow trail.

Due note 4:

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 5:

The trail is family and kids friendly; it is relatively level and not long.

If you are planning to be here for sunset viewing bring a flashlight with you for the hike back.

Due note 6:

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 7:

You may encounter high temperatures during the summer and early fall months. After the 2021 fire there is almost no shade along the trail.

Please carry and drink plenty of water. Bring hats and use sunscreen. Restrooms are available in the parking lot.

Due note 8:

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 9:

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.

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

Due note 10:

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 11:

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:

I came here mid-day, and the parking lots near the museum were full and I saw many people on the nearby Round Meadow trails, but even on such a busy day I was the only one on the trail to Sunset Rock.

The hike is easy and when I visit here during early summer the flowers covered many of the open areas between the burned trees. The view from the rock is nice but if you are looking for better sunset’s locations, I do recommend visiting Mori Rock or Little Baldy that offer higher viewing points and 360 degrees view.

The burned forest along this hike and on all the forests west of this point demonstrate how powerful and unstoppable wildfires can be.

The Hike:

This easy and flat 1.4-mile round-trip trail starts at the Giant Forest Museum.

The hike start at the same direction of Round Meadow but make sure you are on the parking lot side of the main park road (not the side of the museum.

The paved path parallels the highway northwards descends to cross a small stream (Little Deer Creek) over wooden bridge. You will reach a junction, take here left, if you keep walking straight you will reach the Big Trees Trail beside Round Meadow.

The trail is no longer paved, and it start along the hillside above the creek.

Soon you will see another trail fore to the left getting down and crossing the creek over a large tree log. This side trail leads to the lower overflow parking lot.

Keep hiking on the main trail that become level crossing the forest in the direction of the rock.

Here the trail start to cross an area that was burned by the large 2021 KNP Complex Fire. You will see the effect of such instance fire on the forest trees and can witness the slow nature recovery process in its early stages.

There are few surviving trees that manage to escape the fire and the heat and the opening area between the trees is covered with grass and wildflowers and small bushes.

After about 0.8 miles from your starting point the trail ends at Sunset Rock, a large slab of granite rock overlooking the deep Marble Fork Canyon of the Kaweah River.

Here you can take a rest and enjoy the open vista of a deep Kaweah River canyon and the mountains on it far side to the west.

You can see in the forest the road leading to Crystal Cave.

The entire area was completely burned out by the 2021 KNP Complex Fire so this is not the green forest landscape as it used to be, never the less it is still impressive view.

The hike back is simple, walk back on the same trail you walk in. I decided to explore the side trail that leads to the parking lot from it “back” side.

I walk almost to the exit but then took the right turn into the creek.

After crossing the creek over an old log, the trail continues to climb out of the ravine and loop around the hill. The forest here also burned by the fire so you can get the view of deep Marble Fork Canyon of the Kaweah River. The trail ends at an old forest road, make sure you are turning left in the direction of the lower parking lot.

From the creek crossing to the parking lot it is about 0.5 mile long hike.

If you are here and you have time to do another short walk, you can also visit the nearby Beetle Rock on the south side of the upper parking lot, it provide similar view as Sunset Rock.

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