Sequoia National Park Backpacking
Last Updated on September 7, 2020
Sequoia National Park, established at the end of the 19th century, is a treasure chest for backpackers all over the world. It is in California and is one of the most visited national parks in the southern Sierra Nevada.
This American national park was established to protect approximately 404,064 acres of terrains. The name Sequoia is due to to the redwood trees standing tall everywhere in the national park. It is bestowed with Earth’s largest sequoia tree known as General Sherman Tree.
Although named after the Giant Sequoia, it is just a portion of the beauty of this national park. It has a lot to offer in terms of beauty, and the beauty of this park is hard to explain through words.
Reason of Its Popularity for Backpacking
It is renowned due to its old-growth forest, and the maximum part of the landscape looks the same as it did before the western settlement. The majority of the park is roadless and designated wilderness. The only way to explore 84 percent of this park is on foot.
So, it is naturally an excellent place for backpacking due to its forested mountainous roadless area. The park visitors and backpackers have so much to see and explore here. Not only it has a wide range of mountains and trees, but it also has vast wildlife as well.
The campgrounds at several places, the forest museum, Tunnel Log, Cresent Meadow are some fascinating attractions and subject matter of learning and acquiring knowledge in Sequoia National Park.
The backpackers can plan both short term and long term backpacking trips and explore the awesomeness of this place, yet it will have so much left to explore and experience. So, it is a prominent area for backpackers to plan multiple trips and come back again and again over the years.
Top Destinations
Mount Whitney, Foothills, Mineral King, The Giant Forest, and Lodgepole, Sequoia is divided into these five primary areas. These are easily the leading destinations for backpacking for any backpacker. Most of the popular attractions, trails, and visitor centers are located here only.
Mount Whitney
Only the west slope of Mount Whitney is situated in Sequoia National Park. For backpackers, its glorious 14494 feet summit is available to explore. Though only the lucky ones who win via lottery for backpacking get permission to visit Mount Whitney, this remains one of the top destinations, and any backpacker must try his or her luck for once at least.
Mineral King Valley
Mineral King is situated in the southern part of Sequoia. It is a subalpine glacial valley. Atwell Mill Campground and Cold Springs Campground, these two campgrounds are there for backpackers to camp.
Both of them have a total of 61 tent campsites. Backpackers can explore Subalpine valley, Crystal Lake trail, Alpine lakes, and all the other stunning landscapes of Mineral King. You will need wilderness permits from Mineral King Ranger Station to explore these trails.
The Giant Forest and Lodgepole
The Giant Forest and Lodgepole have some of the best trails for backpackers. It’s the place where the Sherman tree resides and trees rows after rows, are a sight to behold. Alta Trail, Lakes Trail, High Sierra Trail, Moro Rock Trail, Twin Lakes Trail, offers astounding views in all directions. The permission is taken from the Lodgepole visitor centers to explore these stunning trails. There are two campgrounds as well.
Foothills
Foothills areas are in the southwest corner of the park. Wherever your eyes roam on the trails, you can see twisted blue oaks, cottonwoods forests, and dense chaparral hills. It also has two campgrounds, and wilderness permits are taken from Foothills visitors center.
What you must do
If you are planning for a backpacking trip in Sequoia National Park, make sure you go there fully prepared following all the rules and regulations. Before the trip, opt for thorough research, at least about the specific portion which you got permission to explore.
You need to book your spot at the campgrounds in advance in case of long-term backpacking and overnight-backpacking as a massive number of visitors visit Sequoia National Park all around the year. There will be no place for sudden visitors as all of them are already booked.
If there is no camping available in specific trails, then you will need wilderness permits for camping. Wilderness permits will allow you to stay outside the designated campgrounds.
Final Words
Backpacking is adventurous and full of excitement. It is the best way to get out of the busy life and spend some quality time close to nature alone or with a group of people. It also requires physical fitness, patience, and strength.
Sequoia National Park has all the much-needed facilities for a backpacker to have a comfortable trip. This is the reason why people continuously go back to visit this national park. So, if you are interested, then do not waste any more time and issue permits to explore this beauty named Sequoia National Park.
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