Sequoia National Park - Tokopah Falls Hike

on July 01, 2024

Introduction:

What? :

Tokopah Falls trail is a relatively easy 3.8-mile out-and-back hike with 620 ft of elevation gain. The trail travels along the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River all the way to it end at the foot base of the impressive granite cliffs and the cascading waterfall of Tokopah Canyon.

Tokopah Falls is 1,200 feet tall cascading waterfall and is most impressive in late spring and early summer when the snowmelt is at it peek.

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.

The Tokopah Falls trailhead is located right near Lodgepole Campground entrance.

There is a large parking lot in this location, park your car and walk to the trailhead.

Google Map Link

When? :

The park is open year-round including during the winter month when the road is covered with snow.

The trail covered by deep snow and ice conditions during the late Fall and Winter months, the best time to hike this trail is during spring and early summer.

Tire chains may be required on park roads any time it snows, usually late fall, winter, and through spring.

During late summer the Tokopah Falls is not impressive at all, and they may be barely running water.

Summer month can be hot days, and you can also have forest fires during that season, winter month are very cold and stormy, and the area is covered by snow.

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.

Thunder clouds seen far off in the distance can be an indicator of impending lightning activity, and you should seek shelter or lower ground.

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 Tokopah Falls trailhead is located in Lodgepole Campground.

There is a large parking lot in this location, as well as a restroom at the trailhead.

A free shuttle bus stop is available here. If you prefer not to drive, you can take the shuttle between the Tokopah Falls trailhead, the General Sherman Tree, and the Giant Forest Museum.

Due note 3:

Please note that as in any other trail in the park pets are not allowed on the trail.

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.

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).

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

Due note 8:

This is one of the most popular trails in Sequoia National Park; do expect to see many people here on summer weekends. If you want to avoid the crowds, I’d recommend arriving before 8:30am or late at the afternoon.

Due note 9:

This trail doesn’t have any viewing of sequoias trees.

Due note 10:

There are few restaurant options nearby, but the Wuksachi Lodge offers pizza and sandwiches with outdoor seating

Due note 11:

Lodgepole Campground is just near the trailhead 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:

We did this hike mid-summer and mid-day and it was hot, the first trail section is shaded by large pine tress but the last section near the waterfall is fully exposed to the sun.

It was mid-summer, so the waterfall was not so impressive but overall the hike was fun.

The Hike:

The trailhead is located near the entrance to the Lodgepole campground. From here the trail starts by heading out of the parking area and crossing the bridge to get to the other side of the river.

The first part of the trail follows the river heading into the forest. At the trail first section you walked along the river, and you will see the campsites on the opposite side.

The wide, clear, and well-maintained trail climbs gently through pine woods, here you can enjoy the shade of the trees.

As the hike progress you can view high above you on the other side of the river the granite face of the Watchtower towers.

At another visit to the park, I did hike to Pear Lake and visit the Watchtower. The view from the top of the granite rock down below into the canyon is impressive and you can see how “small” are the people that doing the waterfall hike.

At the last half mile of the trail heading up the trail breaks out of the woods and into the exposed granite canyon. Here the descend increase and the trail find it way between huge rocks and becoming rough and rocky for the last section.

We did this hike mid-summer and mid-day and this section was hot, fully exposed to the hot sun.

The trail ends at a flat area next to the lower part of the falls.

The Tokopah Falls are actually more like a huge cascade of water flowing down 1,200 feet of steep and exposed granite slope.

Tokopah Falls is most impressive in late spring and early summer when the snowmelt is at it peek. During late summer the Tokopah Falls is not impressive at all, and they may be barely running water.

The views from the trail face the bottom part of the falls, and you can’t see the full view of the cascades. This is a good spot to see how Tokopah Valley was shaped and carved in the rock by a glacier.

You can see here pictures I took from above when I hiked to Pear Lake and visit the Watchtower rock.

Because it is completely exposed here to the sun the area around Tokopah Falls isn’t the best place for a picnic and resting, it is better to start ascending the find better location for a longer rest under the shade of the trees and near the river.

Once you are done here at the lower section of the waterfall, you will turn around and head back the way you came, and it is 2 miles back to the car. This time it is all downhill.

On your way back you can stop, rest and enjoy the river.

www:

https://www.nps.gov/places/000/tokopah-falls-trailhead.htm

Additional Pictures:

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