Sequoia & Kings Canyon, California, USA
After bungling the planning for this trip in 2023, we knew to be on top of it for 2024. Perhaps for the better since we arrived to the parks just after some major re-openings after the last couple years of heavy rain and wildfires, and were able to see them in their full glory.
ITINERARY
3 nights in an Airbnb in Three Rivers, CA.
DAY 1: JUNE 16, 2024
Drove from Los Angeles to Three Rivers. Faster drive than you’d think when done without traffic.
Lunch at Tony’s Taverna on Wheels. Tasty, especially the fries.
Congress Trail. Super busy, but a great introduction to the splendor of giant sequoias. Most people stick to the area just by the parking lot and the Sherman tree. It was nice to get away from the crowds and up close and personal with the trees.
The Sherman Tree. It’s a notable highlight since it’s biggest tree in the world (by volume), but it wasn’t obvious at first glance, and we enjoyed the quieter parts of the grove.
Checked into our Airbnb.
Dinner at The Gateway Restaurant. Nice setting on the riverside patio, but the food and service were just OK.
DAY 2: JUNE 17, 2024
Breakfast (groceries).
Tokopah Falls Trail. Follows the Marble Fork Kaweah River the whole way, culminating with the falls, which were in full force this time of year. Great views of the Watchtower up above. We had 2 marmot sightings.
Lunch (groceries).
Crescent Meadow Loop Trail. We extended this short loop, just kind of followed our gut. Nice little trail with good views of the meadows. Saw some deer.
Moro Rock Trail. Short but very steep, but very worth it. Panoramic views.
Dinner at Ol Buckaroo. Another riverside setting. Decent food.
DAY 3: JUNE 18, 2024
Breakfast (groceries).
Drove to Kings Canyon National Park via Dry Creek Drive. Scenic drive.
Zumwalt Meadow, Kanawyer, and Paradise Valley Loops Trail. Roads End has only just opened a few days before. We were one of the first down there. This trail has a little bit of everything. It was a highlight. Especially being deeper into the valley with sheer cliffs racing toward the sky on either side. We saw a deer with some babies no more than 1 month old. The river was flowing strong. Had to do some barefoot river crossings.
Lunch (groceries).
Ice cream from the Kings Canyon Lodge. Didn’t plan on this, just pulled in when we saw the “ice cream” sign. Was just what we needed on a hot day.
Dinner from the Pizza Factory. Picked it up and ate it back at the Airbnb. Was a perfect meal after a long day of hiking.
DAY 4: JUNE 19, 2024
Breakfast (groceries).
Drove from Three Rivers to Los Angeles.
