NATIONAL SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON PARKS & SEQUOIA NATIONAL FORES T/ GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT SUMMER 2009 GUIDE

Crystal Cave Tours / Free Activities • page 3 page 8 • Facilities & Ranger Programs in Sequoia Road & Safety Tips / Finding Gasoline • page 5 page 9 • Facilities & Programs in Kings Canyon & USFS Highlights & Shuttle in Sequoia Park • page 6 page 10 • Camping & Lodging / Bears & Your Food Highlights in Kings Canyon & USFS • page 7 page 12 • Park Road Map Finally forever wild

What would be the best use Valley be transformed with lifts for gorgeous slopes and lake and lodges? Could wealth be basins ringing a beautiful sub - wrested from the area this way, alpine valley in the southern rather than by mining? ? This on-and-off debate con - Debates over how to use tinued until a serious proposal public land are common to this made it to the national stage in country’s history. In this case, 1965, a plan that included 14 ski the area in question is Mineral lifts, two hotels, and a parking King, and the history of its garage. People questioned the potential uses is a long one. proposal. Should large roads be Let’s start back in 1873, blasted through the national when one James Crabtree park to serve this non-park dreamed a dream of riches. In area? Could ski facilities survive that vision, an Indian chief led the frequent avalanches that him to a place where he should keep this area unusually free of establish a mine. The resulting forest? White Chief Mine soon Looking across Valley from one of the Mosquito Lakes, A national discussion in the inspired a rush of silver seekers now protected in the John Krebs Wilderness. Photo @Rick Cain courts and public airwaves went and the name “Mineral King.” on for a decade. It came to an Yet the land yielded nothing in the way of mineral wealth. abrupt end when one congressman stood up for preserving The name stuck anyway, but it was rich scenery and cool Mineral King. Fresno’s John Krebs sponsored a bill to add mountain air that continued to draw people after the mines Mineral King to . Despite many local went bust. objections, the nation agreed with him, and the bill passed. Fast forward to 1926. An expansion of Sequoia National Still, talk over this area’s future did not end. This spring, the Park excluded Mineral King due to the old jumble of mining name “Mineral King” was again before Congress. Again the claims. Instead, it became the “Sequoia Game Refuge,” over - discussion involved what its best and highest use might be. seen by the U.S. Forest Service. People increasingly sought it Once again the American people made a decision through out for recreation, idyllic scenery, and mild summer tempera - their representatives, this time choosing the highest form of tures, and for the lovely lake basins to be explored. preservation for America’s public lands — wilderness designa - Twenty years later, commercial downhill skiing became an tion. Named for the man who rose to defend Mineral King 40 option. Should the rocky basins and valley of Mineral King years ago, the John Krebs Wilderness now protects its beauty, habitat, and wild experiences for generations to come. WELCOME TO SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON

The cares W E L C O M E Borrow the park map & guide in for special places saved by the Braille at visitor centers. B I E N V E N U E American people so that all may Une guide officielle est dis pon ible experience our heritage. dans les centres d’information. BIENVENIDOS RECOVERY & REINVESTMENT IN THE PARKS Hay un folleto en Español disponible en los centros de visita. This summer you may start to see the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in action here. ARRA provides funds W I L K O M M EN important, shovel-ready maintenance projects needed by the Eine Landkarte ist auch in parks. Five ARRA projects here represent an investment of more deutscher sprache im Besucher- zen - than $11 million in these parks: trum erhaltlich. • The largest project entails replacing drinking-water tanks and improving fire suppression systems at headquarters. We are B E N V EN U T I La traduzione in lingua Italiana replacing a system from the 1930s and 1940s, and adding a gen - della mappa e’ disponibile in tutti i erator so that water systems can function during power outages. centri di informazioni. • Crystal Cave will get quieter, more energy-efficient lighting via a photovoltaic system rather than the old generator. This benefits cave tours as well as the cave itself. PARK, FOREST, • Crews will rebuild storm-caused damage on the Kennedy Pass Trail in western Kings Canyon Park, where a severe rainstorm OR MONUMENT? PHONE NUMBERS last summer carved a large gully on trail switchbacks. They will What is the difference between also rebuild trail damage from the Tehipite Fire and will clear EMERGENCY — DIAL 911 Sequoia and Kings Canyon No coins needed. fallen trees. National Parks , Sequoia • A fifth project involves replacing mandatory compliance-moni - National Forest , and Giant 24-Hour Park Information Sequoia National Monument ? 1-559-565-3341 (NPS) toring components of the parks’ five wastewater treatment plants and 17 potable water systems. Each is on federal land. Each www.nps.gov/seki exists to benefit society. Yet each Na tional Forest Information has a different history and pur - 1-559-338-2251 (USFS) pose. Together they provide a www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia FEES HELP YOUR PARKS! wide spectrum of uses. Yosemite Information (NPS) Most of your entrance and camping fees stay here. The parks National parks strive to keep 1-209-372-0200 invest them in improving visitor facilities and protecting park landscapes unimpaired www.nps.gov/yose resources. Fees have paid for repairing and upgrading roads, for future generations. Road Conditions campgrounds, trails, picnic areas, and restrooms. They have They protect natural 1-800-427-7623 (Caltrans) improved visitor centers, updated exhibits, and modernized and historic features while offering light- Partners in the Parks naturalist slide programs. on-the-land recre - The following organizations work ation. Park rangers together to provide this guide, first ENTRANCE FEE OPTIONS work for the National published in 1974 as the Sequoia Bark. • 7-day pass for Sequoia & Kings Canyon, and for Hume Lake Park Service, part of It is published by the Sequoia Natural the Department of the Interior. His tory As so ciation (SNHA) and District of Sequoia Na tional Forest/Giant Sequoia National Monument (GSNM) : $20 per vehicle (private, non-commer - National forests, managed printed by Willems Commercial under a “multiple use” concept, Printing, Inc.: cial) or $10 per person on foot, bicycle, motorcycle, or bus. provide services and commodi - National Park Service (NPS) ties that may include lumber, cat - Malinee Crapsey, Editor •12- Month Pass for Sequoia & Kings Canyon, and for Hume tle grazing, minerals, as well as 1-559-565-3341 Lake District of Sequoia Na tional Forest/GSNM : $30 admits recreation with and www.nps.gov/seki all passengers in a private vehicle for one year from month of without vehicles. Sequoia Natural History purchase. Not valid at Crystal Cave. Forest rangers work Association (SNHA) for the U.S. Forest 1- 559-565-3759 •12-Month: America the Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass : Service, an agency www.sequoia hist ory. org Cost $80. Valid for entrance fees at Federal recreation sites in the Department Sequoia Parks Foundation including National Parks, National Forests, FWS, BLM, & of Agriculture. 1-559-739-1668 Both agencies manage wilder - www.sequoia fund. org Bureau of Reclamation. Admits all passengers in a single private non-commercial vehicle where per-vehicle fees are charged, or ness and other areas where they U.S. Forest Service (FS) strive for maximum protection of 1- 559-784-1500 the passholder plus up to 3 persons (age 16 & older) for per- natural resources. For example, www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia person fee areas, for 12 months. Not valid at Crystal Cave. part of Delaware North Companies has been designated Giant Parks & Resorts (DNCPR) • Seniors: America the Beautiful Interagency Pass : $10 one- Sequoia National Monument to 1-888-252-5757 time fee buys a lifetime pass for entrance fees for U.S. citizens & emphasize protection of www.visitsequoia.com permanent residents 62 or over. (Previously issued Golden Age sequoias. Kings Canyon Park Services (KCPS) passes remain valid.) Not valid at Crystal Cave. Parks, forests, and monuments 1- 866-KCANYON (522-6966) may have different rules in order www.sequoia-kingscanyon.com • Accessibility: America the Beautiful Interagency Access to meet their goals. Read “Where U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Pass : Free to blind or permanently disabled U.S. citizens and can I...” on the next page to learn 1- 559-565-3171 permanent residents. Take appropriate documentation to any what activities are permitted www.werc.usgs.gov where. Despite confusion over park visitor center. (Previously issued Golden Access passes names, we get a wide range of Page 1 illustrations ©SNHA by Rick Wheeler remain valid.) Not valid at Crystal Cave. benefits from these diverse areas. 2 SUMMER 2009 SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS Crystal Cave rocks! No tickets are sold at the cave, only at Lodgepole and Foot hills Free Activities visitor centers. Buy them at least 1 1 ⁄2 hours before the tour. Crystal Cave Road is 15 miles (24 km) from the Sequoia Park entrance at Hwy 198, and 3 WALKS & TALKS - Free ranger-led talks and walks may miles (5 km) south of the be offered at , Lodgepole, Wuksachi, Grant Tree (see page Grove, the Foothills, and Cedar Grove. See pages 8-9, 12 map). Maximum vehicle then check bulletin boards and visitor centers to see length is 22' (6.7 m) on the road detailed schedules. to the cave. Use parking-lot restrooms; VISITOR CENTERS & PARK STORES - Each one offers the cave has none. Wear sturdy different exhibits to enjoy. Park stores in each visitor 1 shoes and bring a jacket; the ⁄2- center sell a wide variety of books, maps, postcards, mile trail (.8 km) to the cave is posters, and other items. Remember: All your purchases steep and it’s 50 °F (10 °C) inside. in visitor centers help to support the parks! See pages No strollers, tri pods, or baby 8-9 for details. backpacks. Not wheel chair JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM - FREE FOR ALL AGES accessible. Ask about group Earn a badge while helping to protect resources. If you reservations and Wild Cave are 5 to 8 years old, work for the Jay Award. Those 9 Tours! Tour led by the SNHA: to 12 years old earn a Raven Award. Ages 13 to 103 1-559-565-3759. earn an Arrowhead Award. Pick up your free Jr. Ran ger See fabulous cave formations! NPS Photo Don’t miss this opportunity! booklet in any park visitor center and have fun!

45-minute Cave Tours daily TEACHERS - BRING YOUR 1 Through 9/7: Weekdays 10:30 am -4:30 pm every ⁄2 hour. Saturdays CLASS TO THE PARKS ! Fun, 1 & July 4 th weekend (7/3-5) every ⁄2 hour 10 am - 5 pm. Sundays curriculum-based programs 10:30 am - 5 pm. Until a new electrical line is complete, enjoy old- for 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , and 6 th fashioned flashlight tours. Bring a light if you have one; lights will grades in spring and fall. also be supplied. Topics include geology, Fees: Age 6-12 $6; age 13-61 $11; age 62 & up $10; under 6 sequoias, Native & Golden Access Pass holders free. National Park, Interagency, & Americans, and other cul - Golden Age passes do not apply at the cave. SNHA members get a tural history. For details or discount! Through 7/6, ask about more new-member discounts. to reserve a date: 1-559-

1 565-4303. 1 ⁄2 hour Discovery Tours Weekdays only, late June through 8/28 (no tours 7/3), starting at 4:15 FREE PARK ENTRANCE - pm. Enjoy a more in-depth tour of this fabulous cave! Limited to 16 June 20 & 21, people aged 13 & up. Fee: $19.95 each (SNHA members $16.95). July 18 & 19, and August 15 &16!

Cal ifornia fishing licenses re- • RIDE A BICYCLE - In the quired for ages 16 & up. Ask Parks : Keep bikes on roads WHERE CAN i... for cop ies of park reg u la tions. only, not on any trail (other than the designated bike You are visiting two dif - • COLLECT THINGS - Not in • GO PICNICKING - See picnic trail in Cedar Grove). ferent areas - a National Parks : Leave everything to play symbols on back-page map. Park (NPS) and a National its natural role in the ecosystem. Due to bears, never leave food In National Forest : Ask a Forest and Monument In National Forest : Keeping a unattended! Most sites have ranger which trails permit (USFS). Some activities few cones or rocks for personal tables, restrooms and fire grills, bicycles. In both areas : that are illegal in the Park use is permitted. In both except: No fire grills at Foot- Be careful & courteous may be legal in the Forest areas : Archeo logical sites and hills and Sandy Cove. No fires near ped es trians & horses. (see page 2 for details). artifacts are protected by law. permitted at Lodgepole & People younger than 18 Know where you are! must wear helmets. • HUNT - Not in the Parks . Fire- Crescent Meadow. No water at •WALK A PET - In the Parks: arms must be unloaded, inoper - Halstead, Powdercan, Lodge- Not on any trails but it’s o.k. able and stored in way that pre - pole, and Crescent Meadow. • RIDE HORSEBACK 100 feet from roads in devel - vents ready use prior to enter - • HAVE A FIRE - In the Parks : Call regarding hourly rides, oped areas (picnic areas, ing national parks. In National Only in fire grills in camp - backcountry spot trips, & campgrounds, roads). Forest : Only during the season grounds and some picnic areas. guided trips. In National Forest: Pets can with a license: 1-559-243-4005. In National Forest : Free fire • Cedar Grove go on trails. In both areas: permits are required, even for 1-559-565-3464 summer Pets must be on a leash less • GO CAMPING - In the Parks : Only in numbered sites in gas stoves and lanterns. Some 1-559-337-2314 off season than 6 feet (1.8m) long. areas are more restricted than • Grant Grove Don’t leave pets in hot cars. designated campgrounds. In National For est : In camp - others. Get permits at Kings 1-559-335-9292 summer • GO CAMPING - In the grounds or, unless posted other - Canyon Park Visitor Center (in 1-559-594-9307 off season Parks: Only in numbered wise, near roadsides. Pull safely Grant Grove) or USFS office in Dunlap on Hwy 180. • Horse Corral sites in designated camp - off the road, no further. At Big Meadows in grounds. In National For- • CUT WOOD - Not in the Sequoia National Forest: est: In campgrounds or, • DRIVE OFF-ROAD - Not in either area . Stay on roads. Parks . In National Forest : 1-559-565-3404 summer unless posted otherwise, near Call Hume Lake Ranger District 1-559-564-6429 off season roadsides. Pull safely off the • GO FISHING - In both areas : for permit and guidelines: 1- 1-559-679-3573 cell road, no further. Permitted during the season; 559-338-2251.

& SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST / GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT SUMMER 2009 3 WILDERNESS Change: Natural & unnatural OVERNIGHTS Each park trail has a daily entry quota for overnight trips, and We often think of parks as outdoor museums. Caretaking a living ecosystem, between late May and late however, is very different than protecting unchanging objects. September a wilderness camping fee of $15 is required. The quota Both natural features and human facilities may be different each time you visit Both are changing all and fee are used to help protect the time. How we take care of those features and facilities may also affect your visit. You won’t notice your wilderness environment and the ozone monitor that works 24 hours a day, but you will see other activities such as revegetation, road experience. (They are not required work, painting, or trail maintenance. Some activities may unavoidably affect you, such as smoke from a for day hikes, or for overnights in prescribed fire, campsite closures due to revegetation, or bear management. the adjacent Monarch and Jennie Lakes wildernesses in US Forest The park staff uses such actions as tools to maintain the landscape and protect its inhabitants and Service. However, a free fire permit visitors. Your visit gives you but a snapshot of this process; Nature decides the timing of many of these is required for any open flame on actions. They all share one goal: preservation of these parks for us all, now and in the future. USFS land.) A permit is required for each overnight trip. Reserved and first- come, first-served permits are Fire: A natural change issued the morning of your trip or after 1pm the day before at the Years ago, we tried to banish fire from the land - park permit station/visitor center scape, believing it was destructive. In sequoia nearest your trailhead (see pages 8 groves, that meant putting out lightning-caused & 9). If the quota for your prefer- fires that naturally start as frequently as every 5 to red trail is full, you can choose 20 years. another trail for that day or anoth - As time passed, we saw unanticipated conse - er day to start, if space is available. Permits are not issued after mid- quences from this. Fire suppression blocked afternoon as minimum distances important ecological processes and caused many must be reached before you camp. problems. Two problems were glaring: Requests to reserve a permit for First, sequoias were not reproducing. We a certain date are accepted begin - learned that fires create the conditions that ning March 1 and at least 2 weeks before your trip's start date. sequoias need to regenerate: They create a fertile Reserved permits must be picked ash seedbed and they open the forest canopy, up either the afternoon before or allowing sunlight to reach the seedlings. by 9am on the day of departure. If Second, dead wood and small, dense white fir delayed, call the Wilderness Office trees increased tremendously. Natural fires used to or you may lose the reservation. burn these away frequently. Now, after fire’s long Camping in the park's "front - country" is permitted only in camp - absence, these fuels feed bigger blazes that are grounds. Camping or sleeping in more dangerous for people, plants, and wildlife. vehicles is not allowed in parking They burn hotter and are harder to put out. lots, pull-outs, picnic areas, or trail - For over 40 years at Sequoia and Kings Canyon, heads in the park. we have studied fire and its effects on the land. Wilderness Permit Reservations Now, to protect human safety and benefit giant Sequoia & Kings Canyon N.P. sequoia trees, the National Park Service works with 47050 #60 fire to gain the benefits it brings. Three Rivers, CA 93271 When and where it’s appropriate, we may ignite 1-559-565-3766; Fax 565-4239 prescribed fires or allow lightning-caused fires to For more details, visit Wilderness spread naturally, reducing fuels and improving Information at www.nps.gov/seki/ resource conditions. Strong evidence shows that planyourvisit/wilderness.htm or call. Fire in the Sierra usually hugs the ground. we are succeeding. Its low flames clear dangerous built-up fuels. Why is this important? The National Park HIGH SIERRA LODGE Without it, these fuels would feed intense, System exists to conserve resources “unimpaired • BEARPAW MEADOW CAMP hard-to-control wildfires. The natural burn for the enjoyment of future generations.” We once (DNCPR) www.visitsequoia.com pattern includes occa sion al hot spots. These thought that aggressive fire suppression met this Reservations required: leave important openings in the forest — the goal. A more complete understanding of fire tells us 1-888-252-5757. Open mid-June sunny, bare places where sequoia trees to mid-September. This tent that excluding this important natural agent of hotel is at 7800´ on the High regenerate best. ©NPS Photo change only hurts what we are trying to protect. Sierra Trail, an 11-mile hike from Giant Forest. Unnatural change: Alien invaders! Plants and animals evolve together in com - Two immediate threats: munities over time. Often they keep each other Star thistle is one of the most damaging in check. When species get brought in from non-natives in the state. Dense, thorny patch - other places, the newcomers may multiply wildly es completely exclude native plants, and limit since the competitors, predators and diseases wildlife movements. Not yet established here! they evolved with in their home communities are If you recognize it from your home or travels, not here. They break links in the local web of make sure not to bring it in. life, badly disrupting species that depend on each other. Sometimes they completely replace native New Zealand Mud Snails take over water - plants and animals. ways that they invade, eating most of the Practice alien hygiene! Look for seeds and tiny food. Due to their biology, just one snail can NEW animals attached to shoes, clothes, waders, start a huge population! They stick on gear; ZEALAND equipment, tires, and pet fur. Wash mud from check boots & waders thoroughly for this MUD under cars and on tires before coming into the tiny invader. Common just east of the parks. SNAIL parks. The natives will thank you! STAR THISTLE Could easily be carried into the High Sierra. 4 SUMMER 2009 SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR SAFETY! RATTLESNAKES are especially CELL PHONES rarely work well in common in the foothills. these mountains; don’t rely on Natural areas present hazards. Rocks roll, trees topple, and Watch where them. Note where pay telephones limbs drop without warning. Wild animals, uneven ground, and you put your are available (see pages 8 & 9). changing weather can pose dangers. People may create other haz - hands and ards through campfires, traffic, snowplay, and poor decisions. COUGARS roam throughout the feet! They are Water is the main cause of death here. Many drowning victims parks, but chances of seeing one protected; do were walking or climbing near rivers and unexpectedly fell in. are very small. They rarely attack not kill them. The Park Service works to reduce risks, but your safety is in your people and pets, but be aware. Most bit es result own hands. Keep alert. Read warnings and ask a ranger for advice. Avoid hiking alone. Watch children from teasing or hand ling. Very few closely; never let them run ahead. If people die, but tissue damage can you see a cougar, the goal is to con - be severe. If bitten, avoid panic; call vince it that you are not prey and a ranger or 911. may be dangerous to it: LIGHTNING : If you see dark clouds • Don’t run. Cougars associate or lightning or hear thunder, get running with prey and give chase. inside a large build ing or a vehicle • Try to appear as large as possi - Be Safe! (not convertible), if possible. Do not ble. Don’t crouch or try to hide. stand under trees or in shallow • Hold your ground or back away caves. Avoid projecting above the slowly while facing the lion. surrounding landscape such as • Pick up children. DROWNING : The #1 cause of TICKS : Common in foot hill and standing on a ridge, on , • If the lion acts ag gres sively, wave death in national parks! Be extra Kings Canyon grasses; check your - or in open mea dows. Stay away your hands, shout, and throw careful along rivers and streams; self after a walk. Their bite from open water, wire fences, and stones or sticks at it. falling in is as dangerous as swim - is painless, but a small per - metal railings, which can carry light - • If attacked, fight back! ming. Once in a river, getting out centage carry Lyme disease. ning from a distance. • Report any cougar sightings. can be nearly impossible. Rocks are Remove them carefully with WEST NILE VIRUS is passed by EXPLORE SAFELY : Avoid going smooth and slippery; swift, cold tweezers; seek a doctor’s advice. bites from infected mosquitos. alone. Tell someone your plans and water rapidly saps your strength. GIARDIA in lakes and streams can Human illness is not common, but return time. Keep your eyes and PLAGUE : Please do not feed or cause intestinal upset. Iodine and take steps to avoid mosquito bites. ears open for potential hazards above and around you. Slow down touch ANY park animals. Fleas on other chemicals may not be as reli - CARBON MONOXIDE : This odor - and share roads and trails with peo - rodents can carry plague. Deer mice able as heat in killing bac teria and less, colorless gas can be fatal. ple and wildlife. feces can carry hantavirus. Giardia, but can be effective if used Never burn charcoal in closed spaces properly. Boil drinking water at least POISON OAK : This common shrub such as a tent, camper, or RV. SAFE DRINKING WATER : The 3 minutes. parks’ 13 water systems are tested grows up to 5000 OZONE POLLUTION : See air-qual - to ensure that they meet state and feet elevation: HYPOTHERMIA : This life-threaten - ity forecasts in visitor centers. Most federal standards. Annual Consumer Red leaves with ing condition can occur year-round. ozone rises into the Sierra on warm Con fidence Reports are available at whitish berries Stay dry and snack often. If others winds. Levels of this colorless gas visitor centers. in fall, bare in don’t respond to the need for are highest May to October, peak - winter; shiny warmer clothes or are stumbling, ing in late afternoon. The peaks OPERATION NO-GROW green leaves in forgetful, or extremely tired and sometimes reach “unhealthy” Prevent illegal marijuana growing! groups of three drowsy, get warm sugary drinks into state/federal standards, and can Keep parks safe, natural, and free in spring. If you touch any part of them immediately. Get them into affect respiratory systems. Ozone from illegal activities! Report suspi - the plant, wash skin and clothes dry clothing, sleeping bags, and forms from gases in car and factory cious activities: 1-888-NPS-CRIME. right away. shelter. exhaust.

NARROW, WINDING ROADS LENGTH ADVISORY Rules of the road IN KINGS CANYON & N ATIONAL On 12 narrow miles from Pot- Rules of the road FOREST /S EQUOIA MONUMENT - wisha Campground to Giant In Park: Hwy 180 East to Cedar Forest Museum in Sequoia Park, GO SLOW FOR WILDLIFE! FINDING GASOLINE Grove; Panoramic Point Road ; & advised maximum vehicle Never feed animals along the No gas stations lie within park Redwood Mountain Road length is 22 feet (6.7m). Maxi- road. They often get hit by cars boundaries. Only Grant Grove (unpaved) . In Forest: Big mum limit on the Gen er als when they stay on roadsides market sells cans of emerg ency Meadows ; Quail Flat/Ten Mile, Highway is 40 feet (12 m) for hoping for handouts. gas. Fill up in Three Rivers, Converse Basin : all unpaved. single vehicles, 50 feet (15 m) Clingan’s Junction, or in the DON’T LOSE YOUR BRAKES for veh i cl es plus a towed unit. National Forest at: IN SEQUOIA – Frequent braking causes over - Alter n ative: Hwy 180 from Fres- • Hume Lake Christian Camp Crystal Cave Road : Maximum heating and brake failure. no is straighter, less steep, & 559-335-2000: Year-round 24 vehicle length 22’ (6.7m). Instead, always down shift wid er. Towing a car? Stay in the hours with credit card. 11 Moro Rock/Crescent Meadow when going downhill. In auto - foothills; use the car to explore. miles (18 km) north of Grant Road: During shuttle season matic vehicles, put the gear - Grove via Hwy 180. 5/22-9/7, single vehicles more BICYCLES shift on 1, 2 or L. The en gine • Stony Creek Village 1-559- than 22 feet long and vehicles Ride only on roads (not trails), gets louder, but it will save 565-3909: Available 24 hours towing anything are prohibited. single file, with traffic, and your brakes. with credit card. Between Exception if valid disabled-park - wear light colors after dark. AVOID OVERHEATING Wuksachi & Grant Grove on ing placards are displayed. People under 18 must wear a Keep an eye on your engine the Generals Hwy. No drinking water available. helmet. temperature gauge or light. If • Kings Canyon Lodge 1-559- Mineral King Road : RVs & trail - EMERGENCY CAR REPAIRS it starts to go up, especially 335-2405: Call to confirm. ers not recommended (not per - For a tow: 565-3341 then press when going uphill, turn off the Gas sales usually 9am-dark. mitted in campgrounds). zero (24 hours). In Sequoia Park air conditioner and turn on the 17 mil es (27 km) north from Unpaved sections may be slip - only, AAA available 24 hours fan. If the engine fails, pull into Grant Grove on Hwy 180. pery when wet. for lock outs, jump starts, out- a paved area, lift the hood, and South Fork Road : Partially PREVENT CAR FIRES of-gas, minor repairs : call 565- wait awhile for it to cool. If the unpaved. Slippery when wet. 4070. Hot brakes & mufflers can start problem is vapor lock, this may Middle Fork Road : Unpaved. fires. Stop only in paved areas, MOTORCYCLES take care of it. Slippery when wet. not on grasses. Avoid oil buildup on pavement. & SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST / GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT SUMMER 2009 5 #1 GIANT FOREST ROUTE (green) : Free. Through 9 /7. From Giant Forest Museum to Wuksachi and back; 3 stops along the way. About 35 minutes’ ride one way. STOPS • Giant Forest Museum & All-Shuttle Transfer Point See bulletin boards for • Lower Sherman Tree wheelchair- accessible trail Parking with disabled-placard only shuttle schedules. Be sure to check • Upper Sherman Tree - Main Trail & Parkin g Park here to walk down to tree. the departure time • Lodgepole Visitor Center & Market of the last bus that Lodgepole Campground (2 stops) will get you back to • Wuksachi Restaurant & Lodge your car.

#2 MORO ROCK / CRESCENT MEADOW ROUTE (gray ): Free. Through 9/7. Leaves Giant Forest Museum approximately every 20 minutes. Stops at Moro Rock only on the outbound trip. 15-minute ride one way. STOPS • Giant Forest Museum & All-Shuttle Transfer Point SEE SEQU OIA BY SHUTTLE! • Moro Rock Description below.

• Crescent Meadow Description below.

GIANT FOREST-TO-VISALIA ROUTE: $15 round trip. No additional park entrance fee. Reservations required; call 1-877-BUS-HIKE or www.sequoiashuttle.com. Two-hour ride each way. Buses leave Visalia for Giant Forest at 7am, 8am, 9am, & 1pm. Buses leave Giant Forest for Visalia on the hour from 2:30pm through 6:30pm. Runs through 9/7.

MORO ROCK/ cliffs and a waterfall. Be careful CRESCENT MEADOW by the water! Start in Lodgepole No drinking water is available Campground (a shuttle stop). along this 3-mile (5 km), dead- For the 500 foot/152 m elevation end road that begins at Giant gain, allow 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Forest Museum. Through 9/7, take THE FOOTHILLS Highlights a shuttle to see it. Until 9/7, single The Sierra’s lower elevations offer vehicles more than 22 feet long more biological diversity — different and those towing anything are kinds of plants and animals — than SEQUOIA PARK prohibited – except those with the conifer forests or highcountry. valid disabled-parking placards Watch for ticks and poison oak (see displayed. Highlights include: page 5 for safety tips). MORO ROCK : A granite dome HOSPITAL ROCK PICNIC GIANT FOREST of Giant Forest Museum (past with a steep 1/4-mile (.4 km) stair - AREA : Exhibits about the the small Sherman Tree parking case to the summit (300 foot /91 m Western who once Review safety tips on page 5. Try lot for those with disabled plac - elevation gain) and a spectacular lived here and a very short trail taking the shuttle! ards only) to Wolverton Road. view. Two miles (3.2 km) from the built by the Civilian Conservation GIANT FOREST MUSEUM Turn right, then follow signs. If Generals Highway. Shuttle stop. Corps leads to a waterfall. Careful; The best place to learn about you can walk down but the walk TUNNEL LOG : A fallen sequoia drownings often occur here! sequoias! Shuttle stop. back up is too difficult, through that was tunneled through, and Always store food from bears. BIG TREES TRAIL 9/7 you can continue from the the only “tree you can drive MARBLE FALLS TRAIL climbs A paved, level, 2/3-mile (1 km) tree down the accessible trail to through” in these parks. There is a 3.9 miles (6 km) through chaparral loop with colorful trailside pan - the shuttle stop on the Generals by-pass for larger vehicles. 2.7 to a lovely cascade. Park across els describing sequoia ecology. Highway, and ride the north - miles (4.3 km) from the Museum. from Potwisha Campground in the Start at Giant Forest Museum; bound shuttle (toward CRESCENT MEADOW: Summer overflow parking area. Take the parking at the trail is only for Wuksachi) back to your car. wildflowers in a fragile meadow. dirt road near site #14 across the cars with placards.) 1 hour Wheelchair-accessible trail Stay on designated trails; use only concrete ditch; the trail starts round trip. from Generals Highway to fallen logs to walk into meadows. along the steep bank to the right. 3 GENERAL SHERMAN TREE: Sherman Tree - parking for Try the ⁄4-mile (1 km) route to PARADISE CREEK : At Buckeye Two trails go to the world’s those with disabled placards Tharp’s Log, a cabin in a fallen Flat Camp ground, take the path largest tree. Through 9/7, the only. If you have no placard but sequoia, or the across from site #26 across the shuttle stops at the beginning of can’t make the walk down the (71 miles/114 km to Mt. Whit ney, footbridge over the Middle Fork. each trail: main trail, ask at any visitor cen - at 14,494 feet /4417 m, the highest Fol l ow Paradise Creek, not the • Main Sherman Tree Trail & ter for a temporary permit or, peak in the 48 states). Shuttle stop. Middle Fork, for 1-1/2 miles (1.6 Parking - runs 1/2 mile down to through 9/7, take the shuttle. NEARBY TRAILS km) until the trail grows faint. the tree and has some stairs. It is CONGRESS TRAIL : A fairly TOKOPAH FALLS : 1.7 miles (2.7 MINERAL KING an uphill walk back to your car. level 2-mile loop (3.2 km) from km) along the Marble Fork of the See p age 8 for information. Drive two miles (3.2 km) north the Sherman Tree into the grove. , ending at granite 6 SUMMER 2009 SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS (west) and go 2 miles (3.2km) to ROAD’S END: Here where the parking lot. pavement ends are high granite BIG BALDY RIDGE: Great walls and trails to the river, Muir views out and down into Red- Rock, and the High Sierra. East wood Canyon. Two-mile trail of the Village turnoff 5-1/2 miles (3.2km) to the summit at 8,209 (8.8 km). Highlights feet (2502m). From Grant TAKE A HIKE! Grove, go 8 miles (13km) south MIST FALLS: One of the park's on Generals Highway to trail - largest waterfalls. Allow 4-5 head. Elevation gain 600 feet hours; 9 miles (14.4 km) round KINGS CANYON (183m); round trip 4 miles (6.4km). trip. Fairly flat at first; 600-foot elevation gain in the last 2 miles KINGS CANYON OVER - (3.2 km). Park at Road’s End. LOOK: View to the northeast DON CECIL TRAIL : The main of the High Sierra wilderness, route into the canyon prior to stop at this overlook about 6 the 1939 completion of Highway miles (9.5km) south of Grant 180. It starts .2 miles (.3 km) east Grove. of the village, climbs a north- REDWOOD MOUNTAIN facing slope past Sheep Creek OVERLOOK: Six miles Cascade (1 mile/1.6 km up) to (9.6 km) south of Grant Grove, good views. Lookout Peak (13- across the Generals Highway mile/21-km round trip, 4000 from Quail Flat junction, it looks foot/ 1220 m elevation gain) has west over one of the world’s a great panorama. Stren uous; largest sequoia groves. Studies allow all day. here proved the positive rela - HOTEL CREEK TRAIL : Starts tionship between fire and .2 mile (.3 km) north of the sequoia reproduction. mar ket at the intersection with THE KINGS the pack station road. Climbs through chap arral to forest and r u z CANYON &

a views from Cedar Grove Over- M

. look. 5 miles (8 km) round trip;

R CEDAR GROVE

CEDAR GROVE f o Take time to see at least part of 1200-foot/365 m elevation gain. y s e t this spectacular gorge. Be very Strenuous; allow 3 -4 hours. r u

o Return via Lewis Creek Trail for c careful around the water!

o t

o an 8-mile (12.9 km) loop.

h CANYON VIEW: The “U” P shape of this can yon, apparent USFS NATIONAL from this viewpoint, reveals its glacial history. 1 mile (1.6 km) FOREST 1 BEFORE EXPLORING: Review branches off, creating a 1 ⁄2 mile east of Cedar Grove Village Explore Giant Sequoia National safety advice on page 5. You are (2.4 km) round trip. road. Monument, part of Sequoia National on your own in the park — be NEARBY TRAILS & Forest (see page 2 for Park or KNAPP’S CABIN: During the safe! POINTS OF INTEREST Forest ). Roaring ’20s, Santa Barbara GRANT GROVE PANORAMIC POINT ROAD: businessman George Knapp CONVERSE BASIN : Virtually every mature sequoia in this TREE: This steep, narrow road leads to commissioned lavish fishing a High-Sierra vista. Go east huge grove was felled early in One of the world’s largest living expeditions here, using this through visitor-center parking, the 1900s. Walk the 2-mile (3.2 trees. Coolidge pro - small cabin to store gear. A short left around the meadow, right at km) Tree loop to see a claimed it the Nation’s Christ- walk from a turnout 2 miles (3.2 the sign “Panoramic Point, 2.3 monarch they spared (6 miles mas Tree in 1926. It is also a 1 km) east of Cedar Grove Village 1 miles (3.7km).” Walk ⁄4 mile north of Grant Grove), or the ⁄2- National Shrine, the only living (.4km) up to viewpoint. road. mile (.8 km) loop to the Chicago me morial to those who died in Trailers/RVs not recommended. ROARING RIVER FALLS: A Stump, a tree cut for exhibit at war. Visit historic Gamlin The 4-mile (6.4 km) round-trip shady 5-minute walk to a pow - the 1893 World’s Fair (2 miles Cabin and the Fallen Monarch north of Grant Grove) . 1 Park Ridge Trail begins here. erful waterfall rushing through a along this ⁄3-mile (.5 km) paved narrow granite chute. 3 miles INDIAN BASIN : A one-mile trail. A trail guide is sold at the BUENA VISTA PEAK: South of Kings Canyon Overlook on (4.8 km) east of the Village road. accessible trail and one-mile visitor center. North and west unpaved trail offer a look at of the visitor center 1 mile (1.6 west side of Generals Highway, Paved, relatively accessible. 7 miles (11 km) south of Grant how this meadow and forest are km). ZUMWALT MEADOW: This recovering after logging a centu - Grove. Trail to 360° vista of NORTH GROVE LOOP: This 1.5-mile (2.4 km) trail offers ry ago. Take Highway 180, 7 1 Redwood Canyon, Buck Rock lightly traveled, 1 ⁄2 mile (2.4 high granite walls, lush mead - miles north of Grant Grove; Lookout, and High Sierra. 2 ows, and the winding Kings turn into Princess Campground. km) trail provides a close look miles (3.2 km) round trip. at the Big Trees and a quiet River. Park at Trail begins by the host’s site. REDWOOD CANYON: Rough 1 walk through conifer forest. trailhead 4 ⁄2 HUME LAKE , formed by a rare, dirt road to the world’s largest Starts at lower Grant Tree park - miles (7.2 km) historic, multiple-arch dam, sequoia grove. Acres of rejuve - ing area. east of the supplied water to a flume that nating forest from 30 years of Cedar Grove DEAD GIANT LOOP: prescribed fires show the posi - floated lumber 67 miles (108km) Village road. 1 Speculate on what killed this tive relationship between fire to Sanger. An easy 2 ⁄2-mile (4 Purchase a sequoia, and enjoy a pictur - and sequoias. Across Generals km) trail circles it. Page 9 lists trail guide at esque view of an historic mill Highway from Quail Flat/ facilities. Eight miles (12.8 km) pond. Follow the old road from Hume Lake junction (7 miles/ the visitor cen - north of Grant Grove on High - the lower Grant Tree parking 11.3km south of Grant Grove), ter. Allow 1 way 180; 3 miles (4.8 km) south area for about a mile. The trail to Redwood Saddle. Turn right hour. on Hume Lake Road. & SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST / GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT SUMMER 2009 7 FACILITIES IN SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK Giant Forest Area Foothills Area GIANT FOREST SEQUOIA GROVE 500-3500’ (457-1067 m) elevation. Characterized by chaparral, 6400’ (1950m) elevation. Home of the world’s biggest trees, it oaks, river canyons, hot summers and snow-free winters, the offers 40 miles (64 km) of walking trails. For nearby picnic areas foothills offer year-round interest. Park headquarters is at Ash see page 3 and the map on page 12. See Highlights on page 6. Moun tain. • Visitor Center (NPS) : Daily 8am-6pm through 9/7. Exhibits, • Giant Forest Museum (NPS) : Daily 9am-7pm. Exhibits about the books, maps, bear canisters, first aid, local wilderness permits. Big Trees. Books, maps, first aid. 1-559-565-4480. No payphone; 1-559-565-4212. closest are at Lodgepole & Wolverton (don’t rely on cell phones). • Camping (NPS) : At Potwisha (year-round) & Buckeye Flat • Beetle Rock Nature Center (NPS) : Daily 6/27 to mid-August. (closed in winter). Details on page 11. Across the Generals Highway from Giant Forest Museum. Stop in, • Pay Telephones (cell phone signals are usually poor): Foothills one and all! Activities for all ages. Visitor Center near front door; Potwisha Campground, Hospital CRYSTAL CAVE Rock Picnic Area (on restroom wall). One of the park’s highlights! See page 3 for details & schedule. Mineral King Area Lodgepole Area 7800’ (2380 m) elevation. A subalpine valley at the end of a 1 LODGEPOLE VILLAGE steep, narrow, difficult road (allow 1 ⁄2 hours to drive; closes 6700’ (2040 m) elevation. A few miles north of Giant Forest, in 11/1). No RVs, buses, or trailers, please. No electricity or gaso - beautiful Tokopah Canyon along the Marble Fork of the Kaweah line. Beware: In spring & early summer, marmots chew on hoses River. For near-by picnic areas see page 3 & the map on page 12. and wiring in parked cars in the valley. Ask for information on how to avoid this problem. Check engine for damage before INFORMATION (NPS) departing. • Wilderness Permits : Required for backcountry overnight trips. Available in Lodgepole Visitor Center 7am-3:30pm. See page 4 for • Ranger Station (NPS): Daily 8am-4pm. Books, maps, first aid, wilderness permits. details. 1-559-565-3766. • Pay Telephones: Cold Springs Campground, Sawtooth parking • Visitor Center : Daily 7am-5pm. Bears of Sequoia movie; exhibits area. Cell phone signals are extremely poor. on geology & forest life; books; maps; first aid; wilderness permits. Crystal Cave tickets sold 8am-4pm. Pay phone. 1-559-565-4436. • Silver City Mountain Resort : Open late May thru 10/31. Cabins, chalets, showers, small store (gifts, limited supplies, ice, FOOD, SHOPS & OTHER SERVICES (DNCPR) no gasoline, no fishing licenses). Restaurant/store: Thursday- • Market, Gift Shop: Daily 8am-8pm. Groceries, pre-made sand - Monday 8am-8pm; Tuesday-Wednesday 8am-5pm pie & coffee wiches, supplies, bear canisters, ice cream, film, souvenirs. only. Pay telephone. 1-559-561-3223; www.silvercityresort.com. • Watchtower Deli : Daily 11am-6pm. Sandwiches, salads. • Camping (NPS): No RVs or trailers. Details: page 11. • Harrison BBQ & Grill : Daily 8am-7:45pm. Wuksachi • Laundry: Same hours as Market. Last load in 1 hour before clos - ing. LODGE & DINING ROOM (DNCPR) 7200’ (2160 m) elevation. Year-round center for lodging & food • Showers : Daily 8am-1pm & 3-7:45pm. services in Sequoia; 4 miles (6.4 km) north of the Sherman Tree. • U.S. Post Office : Weekdays 8am-1pm & 2-4pm. 1-559-565-3678. Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts Lobby open 24 hours. Address mail to visitors: c/o General and the National Park Foundation Delivery, Sequoia National Park, CA 93262. have made it easy for Wuksachi Lodge guests to • Lodgepole Campground (NPS) : Year round. Details on page 11. contribute to these parks. Ask about the Guest Donation Program when you check in! • Pay Telephones: Outside visitor center & market (cell-phone signals are usually poor). • Dining Room: Daily 7-10am, 11:30am-2:30pm, 5-10pm. Dinner reservations required. Box lunches available. 1-559-565-4070. WOLVERTON MEADOWS Lounge daily 5-10pm. 7200’ (2160 m) elevation. North of Sherman Tree 2 miles (3.2km). • Gift Shop: Daily 8am-8pm. Film, souvenirs, crafts, clothing. • Wolverton BBQ (DNCPR): Nightly through 9/6, weather permit - ting. All-you-can-eat served outdoors. Start time adjusts with sun - • Wuksachi Lodge: See page 10 for details. Front desk 24 hours. set. 1-559-565-4070. Look for the after-dinner Twilight Walk. • Pay Telephones : At main lodge. Cell-phone signals often poor.

FREE NATURE PROGRAMS See bulletin boards for details & more programs. No programs on July 7.

AT GIANT FOREST & IN THE FOOTHILLS AT MINERAL KING WUKSACHI •Potwisha Campground Evening •Evening Programs: Thursday •Moro Vistas: Daily 11am. Meet Program: Wednesday, Friday, through Saturday. At amphithe - atop Moro Rock. Give yourself Saturday. 1 hour. At amphitheater. ater next to ranger station. time for the climb. •Wild About Bears: Daily 10:30am. •Saturday Afternoon Walks •Critter Talk: Daily 2pm. 30 min. In 20 minutes. Foothills Visitor Center. •Short Talks: Friday, Saturday. front of Lodgepole Visitor Center. •Twilight Walk: Friday, Saturday. 5pm. •Sherman Tree Talk: Daily 3pm. 20 1 hour. Meet in Buckeye Flat Camp- •Sunday Morning Walks: 10am. min. Meet at Sherman Tree. ground at Paradise Creek Trailhead. 1 hour. Meet at Atwell Mill •Campfire Programs: 1 hour. At •Plan Your Visit: Morning map Campground. Lodgepole amphitheater on talks. Foothills Visitor Center. Times of evening programs & Friday, Saturday, Sunday eves. At •Exploring Oak Woodlands: walks vary according to topic, Wuksachi Lodge campfire circle on Daily 11:45am. 20 min utes . At sunset time, & location. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Foothills Visitor Center. 8 SUMMER 2009 SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS FACILITIES IN KINGS CANYON PARK & USFS Grant Grove Area Paying Your Entrance Fee at GRANT GROVE VILLAGE 6600’ (2008 m) elevation. This was originally General Grant Kings Canyon in Grant Grove National Park, created in 1890 to protect sequoias from logging. Pay the required park and forest entrance fee at the Here are both a pristine grove & one that was logged in the 1800s. Big Stump Entrance Station, now located just off road INFORMATION near the park boundary. • Kings Canyon Park Visitor Center (NPS) : Daily 8am-6pm. Please stop to purchase or show your pass. Exhibits, 15-minute movie in English & Spanish. Books, maps, One fee is good for visiting both parks and the forest! 1 first aid, bear canisters. Local wilderness permits issued until ⁄2- hour before closing. 1-559-565-4307. USFS: National Fores t & Monument FOOD & SHOPS (KCPS) HUME LAKE & BIG MEADOWS AREAS (FS) • Restaurant : Daily 7am-2pm & 5-9pm. Giant Sequoia National Monument, part of Sequoia National • Gift Shop & Market : Daily 8am-9pm. Souvenirs, film, clothing, Forest, borders much of the western edge of these National ATM. Market sells food & other supplies, sandwiches, bear canis - Parks. You are in National Forest when you drive between park ters, & cans of emergency gasoline. areas Lodgepole and Grant Grove, and between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove (see page 2, Parks and Forests). Sold to the OTHER SERVICES government as a Forest Reserve in 1935, it is an excellent place to • Camping & Lodging : See page 10-11. Lodge front desk 8am to midnight. see sequoias recovering from intensive logging in the late 1800s. • Post Office : Hours may vary. Monday-Friday 9am-3:30 pm; Sat- PAY TELEPHONES (cell-phone signals are usually poor): urday 10-noon. Lobby open 24 hours. Send mail for visitors to: • Between & Grant Grove: Summer only at c/o General Delivery, Kings Canyon NP, CA 93633. 1-559-335- Stony Creek Resort & Big Meadows trailhead. 2499. • Between Grant Grove & Cedar Grove : Hume Lake (year round; see Hume Lake below); Kings Canyon Lodge (summer only). • Stables - Horseback Riding : Details on page 3. • Pay Telephones : Available 24 hours at Kings Canyon Visitor INFORMATION • USFS Hume Lake District Office (FS): 35860 Kings Canyon Center (booth by front door); & outside gift shop, market, & post Road (Hwy 180) in Dunlap, 19 miles (31 km) west of Kings office. Cell phone signals are usually poor. Canyon park entrance at Big Stump. Open 1st Saturday of the In the Kings Canyon month through September, 8am-4:30pm. Maps & books sold. Highway 180 from Hume Lake Junction into the 1-559-338-2251; www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia. canyon is open until mid-November. LODGING & OTHER SERVICES • Camping (FS) & Lodging (private): See pages 10 & 11 for details. CEDAR GROVE VILLAGE • Montecito Lake Resort (FS permittee): Open all year. A resort on 4600’ (1410 m) elevation. This glaciated valley features towering public land. On Generals Highway 9 miles (14.5km) south of Grant granite cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, and the powerful Grove. Breakfast 7:30-9am, lunch 12-1:30pm, dinner 5:30-7pm. — “a rival to the Yosemite,” according to . Cabins, hotel, activities. 1-800-227-9900 or 1-559-565-3388. INFORMATION • Hume Lake: Year-round private facilities open to public: 24- • Visitor Center (NPS) : Daily 9am-5pm. Books, maps, first aid, hour laundry (coin operated) & gas station (with credit card). bear canisters. 1-559-565-3793. Market & snack shop . North of Grant Grove 8 miles (13km) on • Wilderness Permits (NPS) : At Road’s End, 6 miles (9.6km) east Hwy 180, then right on Hume Lake Road 3 miles (5km). 1-559- of the village. Daily 7am-3pm daily. No permits issued after 335-2000. 2:45pm. Maps, bear canisters. • Boyden Cavern : On Highway 180 between Grant Grove & Cedar Grove. Daily tours on the hour 10am-5pm. Gift shop. Ask FOOD, LODGING & SHOPS (KCPS) about evening flashlight tours & guided canyoneering trips. Ages • Restaurant : Counter-service meals & snack bar; not a full-service 14 & up $13; 3-13 $6.50; under 3 free. AAA 10% discount. Senior restaurant. Daily 7am-2pm & 5-8pm. Lunch supplies at market. and Access Interagency Pass discounts do not apply. Schools & • Gift Shop & Market : Salads, sandwiches, supplies, bear canis - other group reservations: 1-559-338-0959. ters, souvenirs, film. Daily 7am-9pm. • Stony Creek Village (FS): On Generals Highway south of Grant OTHER SERVICES Grove. Daily: Market 8am-7pm (8pm Friday-Saturday); restaurant • Camping & Lodging : See pages 10-11. 4:30-7:30pm (8:30pm on Friday-Saturday). Showers/laundry. Gasoline • Showers : Daily 7am-1pm & 3-7pm. 24 hours with credit card. 1-866-KCANYON; 1-559-565-3909. • Pay Telephones : Outside lodge & ranger station. GASOLINE SALES on FOREST LANDS • At Hume Lake year-round; Stony Creek and Kings Canyon Lodge • Horseback Riding : Details on page 3. late spring through early fall. See page 3 for details.

FREE NATURE PROGRAMS See bulletin boards for details & more programs. Non-campers welcome at campfires!

IN GRANT GROVE: IN CEDAR GROVE: •Daily Grant Tree Walks: • Walks, talks, & campfire programs: 2 pm. Meet at the start of the Grant Tree Trail. Activities take place regularly. Come learn more •Nightly evening programs: about these amazing parks. Join us in the Sunset Campground Amphitheater for programs about various • South Fork Clean Up, sponsored by Friends of aspects of these parks. Time & topics vary; the South Fork Kings. Call (916) 601-9954 check locally. for dates and information.

& SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST / GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT SUMMER 2009 9 LODGING SEQUOIA PARK • Wuksachi Village (DNCPR) Reservations: 1-888-252-5757 Staying Overnigh t Front Desk: 1-559-565-4070 www.visitsequoia.com. Open all year. North of Giant Forest Museum 6 miles (9.6 km). Lodge, restaurant, lounge, gifts. * Silver City Mountain Resort * CAMPING DO S & DON’T S: These rules protect the park & you! Summer: 1-559-561-3223 NOTE: Rules may vary between the Park and the National Forest. Check page 3 for details. Winter: 1-805-528-2730 www.silvercityresort.com. Open KEEP FOOD FROM BEARS! GROUP SITES & RVS & TRAILERS late May to mid-October. Cabins, It’s required all year! Learn how to MAXIMUM GROUP SIZES No hookups are available. chalets, supplies, restaurant, gifts, do it correctly — see below. UP TO 6 : Many campgrounds allow Dump stations: See chart on page 11. bakery, showers. No gas. CAMPFIRE RESTRICTIONS only one vehicle & six people per Trailers are permitted in all but KINGS CANYON PARK four park camp grounds; check Gather only dead & down wood; site. Check locally for slight varia - • Grant Grove Lodge & the chart on page 11. Many sites do not cut limbs from trees. tions in these limits & parking John Muir Lodge (KCPS) are not suitable for trailers or Better yet, bring wood or buy it locations for extra vehicles. Reservations: 1-866-522-6966 RVs. Sites may not be level. at a market. Fires must be out 7 TO 19 : In summer, Crystal Front Desk: 1-559-335-5500 Vehicles over 30 feet long can fit cold before you leave. Check Springs (Grant Grove) has first- www.sequoia-kingscanyon.com. in a small number of sites. bulletin boards for restrictions. come, first-served sites for groups Open all year. In Grant Grove. Length advisory: On the Generals In the national forest & monument of 7-15. Canyon View in Cedar Hotel all year, cabins (5/23-11/22), Highway in Sequoia Park, from you must get a free campfire Grove has sites for 7-19. $35/site. restaurant, showers, store, gifts. Pot wisha Campground to Giant permit from the Hume Lake LARGER : Call in advance for infor - • Cedar Grove Lodge (KCPS) For est Museum, advised vehicle District Office, Kings Canyon mation on requesting summer Reservations: 1-866-522-6966 length limit is 22 feet. See page 5 Front Desk: 1-559-565-0100 Visitor Center (Grant Grove), or group tent-camping sites: For for other limits & warnings. www.sequoia-kingscanyon.com a Forest Service ranger. Sunset or Canyon View 1-559- 565-4335 (5/1-10/31: 565-3792 PROPANE CANISTERS May 16 to October 11. In the ROADSIDE CAMPING? Kings Canyon. Motel, public show - for Canyon View). To reserve a Do not put propane or other fuel It’s not permited in the park. ers, res tau rant, laundry, store. group site in Dorst or in the na- canisters in park trash cans or Camp only in designated sites in tional forest/ monument: 1-877 - leave them in the parks. Take SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST/ campgrounds. In the National 444-6777 or www.recreation.gov. them with you when you leave. MONUMENT AREA Forest & Monument, roadside TIME LIMITS ON CAMPING • Montecito Lake Resort (formerly camping is permitted unless BE A VOLUNTEER HOST! Montecito-Sequoia Lodge) post ed otherwise. Ask a ranger Camping stays are limited to 14 days Live in the park, take care of camp - between June 14 and Sep tem ber Reservations: 1-800-227-9900 for possible locations. grounds & resources, & meet Front Desk: 1-559-565-3388 14, with 30 days total per year. NO HOLDING CAMPSITES great people! Learn about volun - www.mslodge.com. Open all year. teer opportunities; contact the You may not hold a site for some - QUIET & GENERATOR HOURS On Generals Hwy 9 miles (14.5 km) Park Volunteer Coordinator, one who has not arrived. Sites 10pm-6am. Generator use: At south of Grant Grove. Cabins, 47050 Generals High way, not occupied for 24 hours are Lodgepole & Dorst only 8-11am & restaurant, hotel, lodge, seasonal & Three Rivers, CA children’s activities. considered abandoned; proper - 5-8pm; at other campgrounds 93271-9651. ty may be impounded. 9am-9pm only. Music should be • Stony Creek Lodge (KCPS) audible in your campsite only. Reservations: 1-866-522-6966 Front Desk: 1-559-565-3909. www.sequoia-kingscanyon.com YOU MUST STORE ALL FOOD! Open May 9 - mid-October. On EARS quickly learn to get food from cars, picnic tables, and backpacks. Generals Highway between Grant They then be come destructive and sometimes ag gres sive. They want our Grove & Lodgepole. Restaurant, B market, showers, gas. Hotel (5/29). food, not us, but people can get hurt. Too often these bears must be killed. This is why you may be fined if you do not store food properly . • Big Meadows Cabin (FS) • DRIVERS : Never leave any food or scented item in cars. Take infant 1-877-444-6777; www.recreation. seats out of cars; the smells they absorb may attract bears. gov. Open mid-June to mid- October. An historic guard station • CAMPERS : Store food day and night in the metal boxes provided in the National Monument (see page 11 for box sizes; avoid bringing coolers that won’t fit). between Grant Grove & Lodgepole. Store ALL food, coolers, related items, and anything with an odor (even if it’s not food) -- including unopened cans and bottles. Latch the * Kings Canyon Lodge (Private *) box completely. Food not stored properly will be impounded. Where boxes Reservations: 1-559-335-2405 are not provided, store food in the car trunk (seal food to reduce Open mid-April to mid-November. odors). If the car has no trunk, put everything on the floor, cover it On Hwy 180, 13 miles (21 km) east well, and close the windows. Keep a clean campsite. Deposit garbage of Grant Grove. immediately in bear-proof containers or store it like food. save a * Note: The two facilities on private • PICKNICKERS : Guard your food at all times. land cannot be evaluated, regulat - • LODGE GUESTS : Keep cabin doors closed any time you leave. ed, or endorsed by the National • BACKPACKERS : Store all food in a portable canister. Less than bear! Park or National Forest. 3 pounds, it holds up to 5-day’s food for one and fits in a pack. Sales from the N E I G H B O R I N G T O W N S Metal boxes in a few backcountry locations offer backup storage. Save-a-Bear Kit Three Rivers, Lemon Cove, Squaw Rent or buy a canister at park visitor centers or markets. Bears Valley & others offer year-round defeat most attempts to hang food in trees. & color pin (above) lodging, camping, & services. Ask at • EVERYONE : Don’t let bears approach you or your food. Wave your directly support bear visitor centers or check www.nps.gov/ arms, make loud noises, and throw small rocks in their direction management. See the seki, click PLAN YOUR VISI T then link (avoid hitting the face or head). Keep a safe distance but be persistent. pins at visitor to LODGING . If a bear does get food, never try to take it back. centers. WILDERNESS LODGE & PERMITS See page 4 for details. 10 SUMMER 2009 SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS Each campsite has a table & fire ring with grill; no hook-ups. C A M P G R O U N D S Food-storage is required! : Always read & follow instructions on bul - KEY TO SYMBOLS: FOOD STORAGE: Avoid bringing items that won’t fit. letin boards to help save a bear! Symbols on the chart tell the size of bear-proof food-storage “Nearby”-Within 2 miles/ 3.2 See other rules on page 10. boxes available in each campground:  *Summer reservations for Dorst & -Year-round # One small box per site (47” long x 17”deep x 16”high); Lodgepole (in Sequoia NP) & for = -Summer only ! One large box per site (at least 47”long x 33”deep x 28”high); reservable campgrounds (marked * © A mix of box sizes; below) in the National Forest + Additional boxes available for sites to share. (USFS) may be made up to 6 Food Showers Laundry Dump Nature Riding River Sequoias months in advance of the date # of Daily Rest- within within within Station Programs Pay within within within desired. Contact www.recreation. sites Fee rooms 2 miles 2 miles 2 miles Nearby Nearby Phone 2 miles 2 miles 2 miles gov or 1-877-444-6777 (7am -9pm PST from 3/1-10/31). Customer serv - ice: 888-448-1474. # $ IN SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK (NPS) FOOTHILLS AREA Elevation 2100’-3600’. Lowest in elevation, therefore warmest, often hot. Potwisha : ! Open all year. 42 $18 Flush =  Buckeye Flat : ! Open until 9/30. 28 $18 Flush at = Potwisha No trailers or RVs. South Fork : # Open. 10 $12 May Vault  Water ( non-potable only). -Sept. MINERAL KING AREA Elevation 6650’ - 7500’. Area open late May to 11/1. No RVs or trailers. Atwell Mill : # Last night 10/31 . 21 $12 Vault == =  Cold Springs : # Last night 10/31 . 40 $12 Vault at Silver at Silver =  City City LODGEPOLE AREA Elevation 6700’. *= reservable in summer up to 6 months in advance ( see Reservations above.) *Lodgepole : © + Open all year. 214 $20/18 Flush ==== =  Reservation period 5/23 through 9/29. $20 during summer reservation period then $18. *Dorst : © + Last night 9/9. 204 $20 Flush ===  IN KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK (NPS) GRANT GROVE AREA Elevation 6500’. Azalea : ! Open all year. 110 $18/10 Flush = at village = Crystal Springs : ! Last night 9/16. 36 $18 Flush  =  “ =  Sites for groups of 7-15 (see page 10): 14 $35 Sunset : ! Last night 9/8. 157 $18 Flush  =  “ =  CEDAR GROVE AREA (ON THE FLOOR OF THE KINGS CANYON ) Elevation 4600’. Area closes mid-November. Sentinel : 4600’ ! + 82 $18 Flush === =at visitor = center 

Sheep Creek : 4600’ !+ 111 $18 Flush === =“ = Canyon View : 4600’ ! 23 $18 Flush === =“ =  No RVs or trailers. Sites for groups of 7-19: $35 Moraine : 4600’ ! 120 $18 Flush === =“ =  Open as needed. SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST/GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT (FS) HUME LAKE AREA Elevation 4000’ - 5900’. *= reservable in summer. Closing dates depend on weather. *Princess : 88 $17 Vault =$7 = single Dump station not recommended for vehicles over 30 feet long. *Hume Lake : + 74 $19 “ Flush = Tenmile : No water. 13 $15 Vault  Landslide : 9 $15 Vault 

Convict Flat : No water. 5 Vault  BIG MEADOWS & STONY CREEK AREAS Elevation 6400-7500’. Opening dates depend on weather. *= reservable in summer. *Stony Creek : # 49 $19 single Flush === =at lodge  Upper Stony : # 18 $15 Vault === =at lodge  Horse Camp: No water. 5+ Vault  Buck Rock: No water. 11 Vault Big Meadow: No water. 40 Vault by trailhead  & SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST / GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT SUMMER 2009 11 P ARK R OADS 180 Campground w Picnic Area Lodging Horses/riding Gas station alls

Major paved road

Minor paved road

Unpaved road

Park boundary

180

STEEP ROADS: (closed in winter) Grades of 5-8%. Downshift to avoid overheated or failed brakes. See page 5.

DRIVING TIME IN GOOD WEATHER: FROM FOOTHILLS TO : Giant Forest - 1 hour. Lodgepole - 1 hour. Visalia - 1 hour. Mineral King - 1-1/2 hour. Road closed Nov 1 to late May. Giant Forest detail map FROM GIANT FOREST TO Grant Grove - 1 hour. FROM GRANT GROVE TO : Cedar Grove - 1 hour. Fo Road closed mid- Nov to late April. Fresno - 1-1/2 hours. Yosemite south entry via Hwy 41 - 3 hrs .

180 R LIFE ZONES: High Sierra - 180 9,000 to 14,500 feet. Summer: Warm to chilly 245 days; nights down to low 30s. Winter: frigid.

Conifer zone - 198 5,000 to 9,000 feet. Summer: Warm days & cool nights. Winter: deep snow, cold days. Foothills zone - 1,500 to 5,000 feet. Mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers. Cedar MINERAL KING Grove is cooler than the foothills, but hotter than Grant Grove. 198

Third Class Mail SUMMER 2009 Postage & Fees Paid SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON U.S. Department of the Interior G-83 NATIONAL PARKS 47050 Generals Highway Three Rivers, CA 93271-9651

180

180

245

198 EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA!