NATIONAL SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON PARKS & SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST/GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT S P R I N G G U I D E 2 0 1 1

Crystal Cave / Park Activities • page 3 page 8 • Facilities & Programs in Sequoia Road Limits / Safety / Finding Gasoline • page 5 page 9 • Facilities & Programs in Kings Canyon & USFS Highlights in Sequoia Park • page 6 page 10 • Camping & Lodging / Bears & Your Food Highlights in Kings Canyon & USFS • page 7 page 12 • Traffic Delays / Park Map Healthy Parks, Healthy People You knew that amazing A huge variety of options scenery awaited you in these await you. Stroll in the shade of parks. But did you consider the a sequoia grove. Amble around possible health benefits of your a sunny meadow. Climb to the visit? open spaces above treeline or Across the country, people walk a foothills trail along the are making the connection river. Try a bike ride below the between outdoor activity and granite walls of the Kings their health. Enjoy that activity Canyon. in the inspirational setting of a You can have your choice of national park, and your benefits temperature, as well. The eleva- grow: tional range of these parks cre- “Nature's peace will flow ates a spectrum of conditions. into you as sunshine flows into In general, if it’s too hot for you, trees,” said naturalist go uphill. Too cold? Head down back in 1898. "The winds will to the foothills. Visit in different blow their own freshness into seasons for the full park experi- you, and the storms their ener- ence. gy, while cares will drop away Whether you are walking, from you like autumn leaves.” bike riding, or jogging, tune Not only that, Muir might your senses to the natural world have added, you’ll feel healthier! around you. In the open, feel "Studies are showing there Does the word “exercise” sound unappealing? Find a hobby that gets the wind in your face and the are unique benefits in getting you out and in motion. Try photography, bird watching, sun on your skin. Let the deep outside and getting active,” says finding the latest wildflower in bloom.... © J. Warner quiet of the forest become part John Jarvis, director of the of your walk. You may notice National Park Service. “Being outdoors can have a positive effect on how the smells and sounds change with each environment. everything from stress to attention disorders to healing." As you go, some aspect of this special place is likely to stir your Some doctors are even writing “park prescriptions” to get their interest. Stop at any visitor center, where rangers will be happy to help patients out and active in nature. find answers to questions you may have. As Director Jarvis says, Let Sequoia and Kings Canyon remind you of how good it feels to "National parks are amazing places where exercise is disguised as move outside. You don’t have to go far or go fast. Ask any ranger about adventure, and we sneak in some learning too." the range of trails here, from paved and level to rugged and steep. Here's to your health! WELCOME to SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON

Land of giants... and more WELCOME You expect giant trees and huge canyons—and you You may borrow the park map & guide in Braille at visitor centers. won’t be disappointed. Yet the whole of these parks is even greater than the sum of its famous parts. BIENVENUE Rising from 1300’ to 14,494’ (the highest elevation in Une guide officielle est dis pon ible the lower 48 states), these parks protect a spectacular ele- dans les centres d’information. vational range. This span from low to high means dramatic shifts from warm foothills to cool forests to the cold High BIENVENIDOS Sierra. It means diverse plants and animals living in Hay un folleto en Español extremely varied conditions. It means steep roads and trails disponible en los centros de visita. that climb mountains, and cold rivers that plunge down from their heights. WILKOMMEN The caretakers of this landscape are also diverse. A Eine Landkarte ist auch in national monument, which is part of a national forest, bor- deutscher sprache im Besucher- ders these two national parks. The U.S. Geological Survey zentrum erhaltlich. conducts research here. The Sequoia Natural History BENVENUTI Association runs bookstores at visitor centers and con- La traduzione in lingua Italiana tributes to education and research. The Sequoia Parks della mappa e’ disponibile in tutti Foundation supports important park projects. i centri di informazioni. Other partners, public and private, cooperate with the Park Service to meet a challenging mission—providing for public enjoyment while keeping the parks unimpaired for PARK, FOREST, future generations. You are an important partner, too! Experience these parks, learn all you can, and help to pre- OR MONUMENT? PHONE NUMBERS serve them. Thank you! What is the difference between EMERGENCY — DIAL 911 Sequoia and Kings Canyon No coins needed. National Parks, Sequoia National Forest, and Giant Sequoia 24-Hour Park Information National Monument? 1-559-565-3341 (NPS) Each is on federal land. Each www.nps.gov/seki exists to benefit society. Yet each National Forest Information has a different history and pur- 1-559-338-2251 (USFS) YOUR FEES HELP YOUR PARKS! Most of your entrance and camping fees stay right here. pose. Together they provide a wide www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia spectrum of uses. Yosemite Information (NPS) The parks invest them in projects that improve visitor facili- National parks strive to keep 1-209-372-0200 ties and protect park resources. Fees have paid for repairing landscapes unimpaired www.nps.gov/yose and upgrading roads, campgrounds, trails, picnic areas, for future generations. Road Conditions and restrooms. They have also improved visitor centers, They protect natural 1-800-427-7623 (Caltrans) updated exhibits, and modernized slide programs offered and historic features by rangers! while offering light-on- Partners in the Parks the-land recreation. The following organizations work ENTRANCE FEE OPTIONS Park rangers work for together to provide this guide, first the National Park Service, published in 1974 as the Sequoia Bark. • 7-day pass for Sequoia & Kings Canyon and Hume Lake part of the Department of It is published by the Sequoia Natural District of Sequoia Na tional Forest/Giant Sequoia National the Interior. His tory As so ciation (SNHA) and National forests, managed under printed by Willems Commercial Monument (GSNM): $20 per vehicle (private, non-commercial) Printing, Inc. or $10 per person on foot, bicycle, motorcycle, or bus. a “multiple use” concept, provide services and commodities that National Park Service (NPS) • 12-Month Pass for Sequoia & Kings Canyon and Hume Lake may include lumber, cattle grazing, Malinee Crapsey, Editor minerals, as well as 1-559-565-3341 District of Sequoia Na tional Forest/GSNM: $30 admits all recreation with and www.nps.gov/seki passengers in a private vehicle for one year from month of pur- without vehicles. Sequoia Natural History chase. 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 $80. Valid for entrance fees at Federal recreation sites including in the Department Sequoia Parks Foundation National Parks, National Forests, FWS, BLM, & Bureau of of Agriculture. 1-559-739-1668 Reclamation. Admits all passengers in a single private non-com- Both agencies manage wilder- www.sequoiaparksfoundation. org mercial vehicle where per-vehicle fees are charged, or the passh- ness and other areas where they U.S. Forest Service (FS) older plus up to 3 persons (age 16 & older) for per-person fee maximize protection of natural 1-559-784-1500 areas, for 12 months. Not valid at Crystal Cave. resources. For example, part of www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia Sequoia National Forest has been Delaware North Companies designated Giant Sequoia National Parks & Resorts (DNCPR) • Seniors: America the Beautiful Interagency Pass: $10 one- Monument to emphasize protec- 1-888-252-5757 time fee buys a lifetime pass for entrance fees for U.S. citizens & tion of sequoias. www.visitsequoia.com permanent residents 62 or over. (Previously issued Golden Age Parks, forests, and monuments Kings Canyon Park Services (KCPS) passes remain valid.) Not valid at Crystal Cave. may have different rules in order 1-866-KCANYON (522-6966) to meet their goals. Read “Where www.sequoia-kingscanyon.com • Accessibility: America the Beautiful Interagency Access can I...” on the next page to learn U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Pass: Free to blind or permanently disabled U.S. citizens and what activities are permitted 1-559-565-3171 permanent residents. Take appropriate documentation to any where. Despite confusion over www.werc.usgs.gov park entrance station or visitor center. (Previously issued Golden names, we get a wide range of ben- efits from these diverse areas. Page 1 illustrations ©SNHA by Rick Wheeler Access passes remain valid.) Not valid at Crystal Cave. 2 S P R I N G 2 0 1 1 S E Q U O I A & K I N G S C A N Y O N N A T I O N A L P A R K S Tour Sequoia’s amazing Crystal Cave! No tickets are sold at the cave, only at Lodgepole and Foot hills visitor centers. 1 Buy tickets at least 1 ⁄2 hours in advance (see traffic-delay information on back page). White nose syndrome is a disease that has killed millions of bats in other states. This summer, the parks may have simple screening and decontamination steps at park caves in order to protect these amazing mammals. Learn more about the benefits of bats and support their protection! Crystal Cave Road : 15 miles from Sequoia Park entrance at FREE W ALKS & TALKS : Ranger-led programs are Hwy 198; 3 miles south of the offered at Giant Forest, Lodgepole, Grant Grove, or General Sherman Tree (see back- the Foothills. Programs in Cedar Grove and Mineral page map). Maximum vehicle King start by early June. Check bulletin boards and length is 22' (6.7 m) on this road. visitor centers for schedules, and see pages 8 and Use parking-lot restrooms; the 9 for more information. cave has none. Wear sturdy VISITOR CENTER EXHIBITS & STORES: 1 shoes; the ⁄2-mile trail (.8 km) to Each center offers different exhibits and an excel - the cave is steep. Wear a jacket; lent selection of books, maps, postcards, posters, it’s 50 °F (10 °C) inside. No baby and other items. All your purchases there help to backpacks, strollers, or tri pods. support the parks! See pages 8-9 for details. Not wheel chair accessible. Ask about group reservations and JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM Learn how these curtains of stone formed! wild cave tours: 1-559-565-3759. FREE for all ages. If you are 5 to 105 years old, you can become a Sequoia & Kings Canyon Junior • 45-minute Cave Tours daily starting May 14 th Ranger! To earn your badge, pick up a free booklet Note: Opening depends on snow. Tours are subject to change. at any visitor center and complete the activities • 5/14 through 6/24: Weekdays 11am-3pm. Saturday-Sunday for your age group. Have fun! 11am- 4pm. Memorial Day weekend (5/27-30): 10:30am- 5:30pm. TEACHERS: Fun, curriculum-based programs for • Starting 6/25: Weekdays 10:30am- 4:30pm. Saturday, Sunday & 2nd , 3 rd , and 4 th grades offered in spring and fall. July 4 th weekend (7/1-4) 10am-5pm. Topics include sequoia life cycles and adaptations, Fees: Age 5-12 $7; age 13-61 $13; age 4 and under free; Golden Age species interdependence, and local cultural history. (age 62 & up) and Golden Access passholders $12. National Park Call for details and reservations: 1-559-565-4303. and Interagency passes do not apply. Discount for SNHA members! Flashlight versions of the tours may be substituted for regular tours. 1 • 1 ⁄2-hour Discovery Tours start June 20 th Weekdays only, 4:15pm. Enjoy a more in-depth tour of this fabulous cave. Limited to 18 people aged 12 & up. Fee: $16 each. 1 th • 1 ⁄2-hour Historic Candle-Light Tours start June 23 Activities Thursday-Friday, 5:30 pm; Saturday-Sunday 6pm. Experience the cave as its discoverers did! Limited to 18 people aged 12 & up. Fee: $16.

• GO PICNICKING - See picnic • RIDE BICYCLES - In the Parks : symbols on back-page map. Due Keep bikes on roads only, not on WHERE CAN I... to bears, never leave food any trail (other than the Your visit may include both • HUNT - Not in the Parks . Visitors unattended! Most sites have designated bike trail in Cedar a National Park (NPS) and are responsible for understanding tables, restrooms and fire grills, Grove). In the National Forest : a National Forest (USFS). and complying with all applicable except: No fire grills at Foothills Ask a ranger which trails permit Activities that are illegal state, local, and federal firearms and Sandy Cove. No fires permitted bicycles. In both areas : Be care - in the Park may be legal in laws before entering this park. It at Lodgepole & Crescent Meadow. ful: You are sharing the narrow the Forest (see page 2 for is prohibited to discharge a firearm No water at Halstead, Powdercan, road with wide RVs. Be careful & details). Know which area in the parks. In the National Lodgepole, and Crescent Meadow. courteous near ped es trians & hors - you are in (see back page)! Forest : Only during the season • SNOWMOBILE Not in the es. People younger than 18 must with a license: 1-559-243-4005. Parks. In National Forest : Only wear helmets. - In the Parks : • WALK A PET • GO CAMPING - In the Parks : on designated snowmobile routes. • GET CELL-PHONE SERVICE - Not on any trails. It’s o.k 100 feet Only in numbered sites in desig - Snowmobile trailheads at Cherry See top right of page 4, Be Safe. from roads in developed areas (pic - nated campgrounds. In the Gap, Big Meadows, & Quail Flat. nic areas, campgrounds). In the National For est : In campgrounds For information: 1-559-338-2251. National Forest : Pets can go on • RIDE HORSEBACK or, unless posted otherwise, near • HAVE A FIRE In the Parks : Spring opening dates trails. In both areas : Pets must roadsides. Pull a safe distance off Only in fire grills in campgrounds depend on weather. Rides, be on a leash less than 6 feet the road but no further. & some picnic areas. In National backcountry spot trips, or (1.8m) long. Never leave pets in Forest : Free fire permits required, guided trips. cars when it’s warm as they • DRIVE OHV S OFF-ROAD - • Cedar Grove - late May Not in the parks . Stay on roads. even for gas stoves and lanterns. overheat quickly. Some areas are more restricted 1-559-565-3464 summer In the National For est : Off-high - 1-559-337-2314 off season • COLLECT THINGS TO TAKE way-vehicle (OHV) routes are avail - than others. Get permits at Kings - Not in Parks : Leave • Grant Grove - early June HOME able. Get details at USFS Hume Canyon Park Visitor Center (in things where you find them to play 1-559-335-9292 summer Lake office in Dunlap on Hwy 180 Grant Grove) or USFS office in 1-559-799-7247 off season their natural role in the ecosystem. or Kings Canyon Visitor Center at Dunlap on Hwy 180. • Horse Corral - early June In the National Forest : Keeping Grant Grove. • GO FISHING - In both areas : at Big Meadows in a few cones or rocks for personal Sequoia National Forest • CUT WOOD - Not in the Parks . Permitted during fishing season. use is permitted. In both areas : 1-559-565-3404 summer In the National Forest : Call Cal ifornia fishing licenses are re - Archeo logical sites and artifacts quired for ages 16 & up. Ask for 1-559-679-3573 cell are protected by law. Hume Lake Ranger District for per - mit and guidelines: 559-338-2251. cop ies of park reg u la tions. & SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST / GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT SPRING 2011 3 WILDERNESS Change: Natural & unnatural OVERNIGHTS A permit is required for all over- night wilderness trips into these We often think of parks as outdoor museums. Caretaking a living ecosystem, parks. Between late May and late however, is very different than protecting unchanging objects. September (the quota season), each park trail has a daily entry quota for Both natural features and human facilities may be different each time you visit. Both are changing all overnight trips and a wilderness the time. How we take care of those features and facilities may also affect your visit. You won’t notice camping fee of $15 is required. The the ozone monitor that works 24 hours a day, but you will see other activities such as revegetation, road quota and fee are tools to help pro - work, painting, or trail maintenance. Some activities may unavoidably affect you, such as smoke from a tect your wilderness environment prescribed fire, campsite closures due to revegetation, or bear management. and experience (they are not requir- ed for day hikes, or for overnight The park staff uses such actions as tools to maintain the landscape and protect its inhabitants and trips in the adjacent US Forest Ser- visitors. Your visit gives you but a snapshot of this process; Nature decides the timing of many of these vice Monarch and Jennie Lakes actions. They all share one goal: preservation of these parks for us all, now and in the future. wildernesses, but a free fire permit is required for any open flame on USFS land). Outside the quota season, permits Fire: A natural change are still required, but are on a self- Years ago, we tried to banish fire from the land - issue basis. Get self-Issue permits at scape, believing it was destructive. In sequoia groves, the station nearest your trailhead (see pages 8 & 9). Trail condition that meant putting out lightning-caused fires that information is limited; be careful and naturally start as frequently as every 5 to 15 years. expect winter conditions. As time passed, we saw unanticipated conse - Requests to reserve a permit for a quences from this. Fire suppression blocked important certain date within the quota season ecological processes and caused many problems. Two are accepted beginning March 1 and at least 2 weeks before your trip's problems were glaring: start date. First, sequoias were not reproducing. We learned Permits must be picked up either that fires create the conditions that sequoias need to the afternoon before, starting at regenerate: Fires leave behind a seedbed fertilized 1pm, or by 9am on the day of depar - with ash and they open the forest canopy, allowing ture at the park permit station/visitor sunlight to reach the seedlings. center nearest your trailhead. If delayed, call the Wilderness Office or Second, the amount of dead wood and dense you may lose the permit. growth of small white-fir trees increased tremendous - If the quota for your preferred ly. Natural fires used to burn these away frequently. trail is full, you can choose another Now, after fire’s long absence, these fuels feed bigger, trail for that day or another day to hotter blazes that are more dangerous for people, start, if space is available. Permits are not issued after mid-afternoon as plants, and wildlife. minimum distances must be reached For over 40 years at Sequoia and Kings Canyon, before you camp. we have studied fire and its effects on the land. Now, Camping in the park's "frontcoun - to protect human safety and benefit giant sequoia try" is permitted only in camp - trees, the National Park Service works with fire to grounds. Camping or sleeping in restore the benefits it brings. vehicles is not allowed in parking lots, pull-outs, picnic areas, or trail - We still put out fires that threaten life and property heads in the park. but, when and where it’s appropriate, we may ignite Wilderness Permit Reservations prescribed fires or allow lightning fires to spread natu - Sequoia & Kings Canyon N.P. rally, reducing fuels and improving resource condi - 47050 #60 Fire in the Sierra usually hugs the ground. Its tions. Strong evidence shows that we are succeeding. Three Rivers, CA 93271 1-559-565-3766; Fax 565-4239 low flames clear dangerous built-up fuels. With- Why is this important? The National Park System out it, these fuels would feed intense, hard- to- exists to conserve resources “unimpaired for the For more details, visit Wilderness control wildfires. The natural burn pattern enjoyment of future generations.” We once thought Information at www.nps.gov/seki/ planyourvisit/wilderness.htm or call. includes occa sion al hot spots. These leave that aggressive fire suppression met this goal. A more complete understanding of fire tells us that excluding important openings in the forest — the sunny, HIGH SIERRA LODGE bare places where sequoia trees regenerate best. this important natural agent of change only hurts what we are trying to protect. ©NPS Photo • BEARPAW HIGH SIERRA CAMP (DNCPR) 1-888-252-5757 Unnatural change: Alien invaders! Plants and animals evolve together in Two immediate threats: communities over time. Often they keep Star thistle is one of the most damaging each other in check. When species get non-natives in the state. Dense, thorny brought in from other places, the newcom - patches completely exclude native plants ers may multiply wildly since the competi - and limit wildlife movements. It is not yet tors, predators, and diseases they evolved established here! If you recognize it from with in their home communities are not your home or travels, make sure not to here. They break links in the local web of bring it in. life, badly disrupting species that depend on each other. Sometimes they completely New Zealand Mud Snails completely replace native plants and animals. take over and change waterways that they Practice alien hygiene! Look for seeds invade. Due to their biology, just one snail NEW and tiny animals attached to shoes, clothes, can start a huge population! They stick on ZEALAND waders, equipment, tires, and pet fur. gear; check boots & waders thoroughly for MUD Wash mud from under cars and on tires this tiny invader. Common just east of the SNAIL before coming into the parks. STAR THISTLE parks, they could easily be carried into the The natives will thank you! High Sierra. 4 SPRING 2011 SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR SAFETY! RATTLESNAKES , found in much CELL PHONES rarely work well in of these parks, are especially com - these mountains; don’t rely on Natural areas present hazards. Rocks roll, trees topple, and mon in the foothills and near water. them. Note where pay telephones limbs drop without warning. Icy or uneven ground, wild animals, Watch where you put your hands are available (see pages 8 & 9). and changing weather pose dangers. People may create other and feet! Do not harass or kill them; hazards through campfires, traffic, snowplay, and poor decisions. COUGARS roam throughout the this is when most bites occur. Bites Water is the main cause of death here. Many drowning victims parks, but you are unlikely to see are rarely lethal, were walking or climbing near rivers and unexpectedly fell in. one. Attacks are rare, but be aware. but tissue dam - The Park Service works to reduce risks, but your safety is in your Watch children closely; never let age can be own hands. Keep alert. Read warnings and ask a ranger for advice. them run ahead. Cautiously severe. If bit - move away if you find a par - ten, avoid tially buried animal carcass. panic; call a If you see a cougar, the goal is ranger or 911. to convince it that you are not prey: LIGHTNING :See dark • Don’t run; it may trigger pursuit. clouds or lightning or hear thunder? • Try to appear as large as possi - Get inside a large build ing or a vehi - ble. Don’t crouch or try to hide. Be Safe! cle (not convertible), if possible. Do • Hold your ground or back away not stand under trees or in shallow slowly while facing the cougar. caves. Avoid projecting above the • Pick up children. surrounding landscape such as • If the mountain lion acts ag gres - DROWNING : The #1 cause of TICKS : Common in foot hill and standing on a ridge, on Moro Rock, sively, wave your hands, shout, death in national parks! Be extra Kings Canyon grasses; check your - or in open mea dows. Stay away and throw stones or sticks at it. careful around water; falling in is as self after a walk. Their bite from open water, wire fences, and • If attacked, fight back! dangerous as swimming. Once in a is painless, but a small per - metal railings, which can carry light - • Report any cougar sightings. ning from a distance. river, getting out can be nearly centage carry Lyme disease. BE SAFE : Avoid going alone. Tell impossible: Rocks are smooth and Remove them carefully with WEST NILE VIRUS is passed by someone your plans and return slippery; swift, cold water rapidly tweezers; seek a doctor’s advice. bites from infected mosquitos. time. Watch and listen for potential saps your strength. Currents are GIARDIA in lakes and streams can Human illness is not common, but hazards above you, around you, and always stronger than they appear. cause intestinal upset. Iodine and take steps to avoid mosquito bites. on the ground. Beware of trails and sidewalks slippery with ice or leaves. PLAGUE : Please do not feed or other chemicals may not be as reli - CARBON MONOXIDE : This odor - Slow down to safely share roads touch ANY park animals. Fleas on able as heat in killing bac teria and less, colorless gas can be fatal. and trails with people and wildlife. rodents can carry plague. Deer mice Giardia, but can be effective if used Never burn charcoal in closed feces can carry hantavirus. properly. Boil drinking water at least spaces, e.g. a tent, camper, or RV. SAFE DRINKING WATER : The 3 minutes. 13 park water systems are tested to POISON OAK : This OZONE POLLUTION : See air-qual - ensure that they meet federal and common shrub grows up HYPOTHERMIA : This life-threaten - ity forecasts in visitor centers. Most state standards. Ask at visitor cen - to 5000 feet eleva - ing condition can occur year-round. ozone rises into the Sierra on warm ters about the Annual Consumer tion: Red leaves Stay dry; snack often. If others don’t winds. Levels of this colorless gas Con fidence Reports. with whitish berries respond to the need for warmer are highest May to October, peaking in fall; bare in win - clothes or are stumbling, forgetful, in late afternoon. The peaks some - OPERATION NO-GROW ter; shiny green or extremely tired and drowsy, get times reach “unhealthy” state/fed - Prevent illegal marijuana growing! leaves in groups of three in spring. warm sugary drinks into them eral standards, and can affect respi - Keep parks safe, natural, and free If you touch any part of the plant, immediately. Get them into dry ratory systems. Ozone forms from from illegal activities! Report suspi - wash skin and clothes right away. clothing, sleeping bags, and shelter. gases in car and factory exhaust. cious activities: 1-888-NPS-CRIME. lock outs, jump starts, out-of- Moro Rock/Crescent Meadow Rules of park roads gas, minor repairs : call 565-4070. opens 5/21 or sooner if condi - DON’T LOSE YOUR BRAKES tions permit. During shuttle sea - son 5/26-9/25, single vehicles EXPECT TRAFFIC DELAYS on 559-305-7770. Year-round Frequent braking causes over - more than 22 feet long and the Generals Highway south 24 hours with credit card. heating and brake failure. combination vehicles are prohib - of Giant Forest. See details on 11 miles (18 km) north of Instead, always down shift when ited; exception if valid disabled- the back page (page 12). Grant Grove via Hwy 180. going downhill. In automatic • Stony Creek Village: parking placards are displayed. 22’ VEHICLE LENGTH LIMIT vehicles, put the gear shift on 1, 1-559-565-3909. Opens 5/5, Road : Open 5/27, on Generals Hwy between 2 or L. The en gine gets louder, weather permitting. Available weather permitting. Until then, Hospital Rock Picnic Area and but it will save your brakes. 24 hours with credit card. gate closed at Lookout Point Giant Forest Museum due to Between Wuksachi & Grant SPRING OPENINGS OF station requires a free permit single-lane road. Between Pot- Grove on the Generals Hwy. NARROW, WINDING ROADS from Foothills Visitor Center. wisha Campground and Hospital • Kings Canyon Lodge: 1-559- IN KINGS CANYON & N ATIONAL RVs & trailers not recommended Rock, advised maximum vehicle 335-2405. Opens after 4/29; FOREST /S EQUOIA MONUMENT - (not permitted in campgrounds). length is 22 feet (6.7m). Maxi- gas usually sold 9am-dark. Some openings may be delayed South Fork Road : Partially mum limit on other parts of the 17 mil es (27 km) north from due to late winter storms: unpaved. Slippery when wet. Gen er als Highway is 40 feet (12 Grant Grove on Hwy 180. Hwy 180 East to Cedar Grove in Middle Fork Road : Open by mid- m) for single vehicles, 50 feet the Kings Canyon: 4/29 at noon. May; slippery when wet. (15 m) for veh i cl e + towed unit. STILL-ICY ROADS & TRAILS Panoramic Point Road : 5/20. Alter natives: Hwy 180 from Spring storms & cold nights can Redwood Mountain Road (NPS) BICYCLES Ride on roads (not trails), single Fresno is straighter, less steep, mean slick surfaces, especially in & Big Meadows, Quail Flat/Ten file, and with traffic. Wear light and wid er. If towing a car, camp shady areas. Walk & drive care - Mile, Converse Basin (FS): colors after dark. People under in the foothills and use the car. fully! Snow tires or chains may Unpaved, unplowed. Opens be required after storms. 24- 18 must wear a helmet. FINDING GASOLINE when snow melts. hour road-condition recording: MOTORCYCLES No gas stations within the park. Bridge is closed for 1-559-565-3341, press 9, then 4. Avoid oil buildup on pavement. Only Grant Grove market sells replacement. See back page. cans of emerg ency gas. Fill up in EMERGENCY CAR REPAIRS IN SEQUOIA – PREVENT CAR FIRES Three Rivers, Clingan’s Junction, For a tow: 565-3341 then press Crystal Cave Road opens 5/14, Hot brakes & mufflers can easily or in the National Forest at: zero (24 hours). In Sequoia Park Maximum vehicle length 22’. start fires. Stop only on paved • Hume Lake Christian Camp: only, AAA available 24 hours for areas, not on grasses.

& SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST / GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT SPRING 2011 5 GIANT FOREST ROUTE (green): Free. Starts 5/26. Giant Forest Museum to Sherman 1 SEE SEQUOIA BY SHUTTLE! Tree to Lodgepole. Every 15 minutes. First bus 9am, last bus 6pm. ⁄2-hour ride one way. Ask about the 7:30am hiker shuttle from Lodgepole to Wolverton and Crescent Starting May 26th Meadow, and the 6:30pm pickup at Wolverton bound for Lodgepole. Kneeling buses. To Grant Grove, Kings Canyon National Park, and Hwy 180 • Giant Forest Museum / Transfer Point • Sherman Tree wheelchair-accessible trail Parking with disabled-placard only. Dorst Campground  Opens June 25 • Sherman Tree - Main Trail & Parking. Park here to walk down to tree. Lodgepole Market Wuksachi & Visitor Center Lodge & Restaurant • Lodgepole Visitor Center , Lodgepole Campground (2 stops) MÖCwQäfô ^CWä"ô MORO ROCK/ CRESCENT MEADOW ROUTE (gray): Free. Starts 5/26. Leaves Giant Lodgepole Forest Museum every 15 minutes; stops at Moro Rock only on the outbound trip. First Campground & bus 9am, last bus 6pm.15-minute ride one way. On weekends & holidays, this road is Shuttle Parking closed to private vehicles without handicapped placards. Park at any shuttle stop and Al ride a bus. On holidays (5/28-30, 7/2-4, and 9/3-5), you can also park at Wolverton; Sherman Tree - Main Trail the shuttle will stop there regularly. & Parking u^ See bulletin boards for shuttle • Giant Forest Museum Sherman Tree - Wheelchair schedules. Be sure to check Accessible Trail uô • Moro Rock - See description below. what time the last bus leaves • Crescent Meadow- See description below. to get you back to your car. Giant Forest Museum ^Muô

1 LODGEPOLE/ WUKSACHI/ DORST ROUTE (blue): Free. Starts 5/26. Every ⁄2 hour. Crescent Meadow b First bus 9am, last bus 5:30pm. Moro Rock u • Lodgepole Visitor Center & Market , Lodgepole Campground (3 stops) To the Foothills, Three • Wuksachi Restaurant & Lodge Rivers, and Hwy 198 • Starting 6/25 - Dorst Creek Campground (3 stops) Giant Forest Route - Free Lodgepole / Wuksachi / Dorst Route - Free GIANT FOREST TO VISALIA ROUTE: $15 round trip. No additional park entrance fee. Moro Rock / Crescent Visalia Route - Reservations required; call 1-877-BUS-HIKE or www.sequoiashuttle.com. Two-hour ride Meadow Route - Free Reservations required each way. Buses leave Visalia for Giant Forest at 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10am. Buses leave Giant Transfer points: Giant Forest Museum and Lodgepole stops Forest for Visalia every hour starting 2:30pm through 6:30pm. 5/26 through 9/25.

CONGRESS TRAIL: A fairly level NEARBY TRAILS 2-mile loop (3.2 km) from the TOKOPAH FALLS: 1.7 miles (2.7 Sherman Tree into the grove. km) along a river, ending at cliffs MORO ROCK/ & a waterfall. Be careful by the CRESCENT MEADOW water! Start in Lodgepole Read shuttle information above. No Campground (a shuttle stop). For Highlights drinking water is available on this the 500-foot/152-meter elevation 3-mile, dead-end road starting at gain, allow 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Giant Forest Museum. From 5/26 THE FOOTHILLS SEQUOIA PARK through 9/25, use a shuttle. During The low elevations host more different that time, single vehicles more than plants and animals than the rest of the 22 feet long and those towing any- parks. Watch for ticks and poison oak. thing are prohibited, except those HOSPITAL ROCK PICNIC AREA: displaying valid disabled-parking G I A N T F O R E S T an uphill walk back to your car. Exhibits about the Western G I A N T F O R E S T Drive 2 miles (3.2 km) north of placards. Road is closed to vehicles Mono people who once lived without placards on weekends & Snow or ice may still cover some Giant Forest Museum (past the here and a very short trail built by holidays. Highlights: trails, making them slippery and small Sherman Tree parking lot the Civilian Conservation Corps hard to follow. Review safety advice - only for those with disabled plac- MORO ROCK: A granite dome leads to a cascade. Careful; page 5. You are on your own; travel with a steep 1/4-mile (.4 km) stair- drownings often occur here! safely! Starting 5/26, use the shuttle. ards) to Wolverton Road. Turn right, then follow signs. If you case to the summit (300 foot /91 m Always store food from bears. GIANT FOREST MUSEUM can walk down but the walk elevation gain) and a spectacular MARBLE FALLS TRAIL climbs 3.7 The best place to learn about back up is too difficult, starting view. Two miles (3.2 km) from the miles (6 km) to a waterfall. Park sequoias! Shuttle stop. 5/26 you can continue from the Generals Highway. Shuttle stop. across the main road from Potwisha BIG TREES TRAIL tree down the accessible trail to TUNNEL LOG: A fallen sequoia (no non-camper parking in camp- A paved, level, 2/3-mile (1 km) the shuttle stop on the Generals that was tunneled through; the ground). From the trailhead near site #14, follow the dirt road across loop. Trail-side panels describing Highway, and ride the north- only “tree you can drive through” the concrete ditch; the trail starts sequoia ecology. Start at Giant bound shuttle (toward Lodge- in these parks. There is a by-pass along the steep bank to the right. Forest Museum (parking at the pole) back to your car. for larger vehicles. 2.7 miles (4.3 trail is only for cars with placards.) • Wheelchair-accessible trail km) from the Museum. PARADISE CREEK: At Buckeye Flat Camp ground, take the path 1 hour round trip. from Generals Highway to CRESCENT MEADOW: A mead- across from site #28 across the GENERAL SHERMAN TREE: Sherman Tree - parking for ow of summer flowers. Use only footbridge over the Middle Fork. Two trails go to the world’s largest those with disabled placards only. fallen logs to walk into meadows. Fol l ow Paradise Creek (not the tree. Starting 5/26, the shuttle If you have no placard but can’t Try the 1-mile (1.6 km) route to stops at the beginning of each: Tharp’s Log, a cabin in a fallen Middle Fork) for 1-1/2 miles (1.6 make the walk down the main km) until the trail grows faint. • Main Sherman Tree Trail & trail, ask at any visitor center for a sequoia, or the High Sierra Trail (71 Parking: Trail runs 1/2 mile down temporary permit or, starting 5/26, miles/114 km to Mt. Whit ney, MINERAL KING to the tree; it has some stairs. It is take the shuttle. 14,494 feet /4417 m). Shuttle stop. See page 8 for information. 6 S P R I N G 2 0 1 1 S E Q U O I A & K I N G S C A N Y O N N A T I O N A L P A R K S BIG BALDY RIDGE: Great TAKE A HIKE! views out and down into Red- 1 MIST FALLS: One of the park's wood Canyon. 2 ⁄4-mile trail (3.2km) to the summit at 8209 largest waterfalls. Allow 4-5 feet (2502m). From Grant Grove, hours; 9 miles (14.4 km) round go 8 miles (13km) south on trip. Fairly flat at first; 600-foot Generals Highway to trailhead. elevation gain in the last 2 miles Highlights Elevation gain 600 feet (183m); (3.2 km). Park at Road’s End. round trip 4.5 miles (6.4km). DON CECIL TRAIL : The main KINGS CANYON OVER - route into the canyon prior to the KINGS CANYON LOOK: View of the High Sierra 1939 completion of Highway wilderness, about 6 miles 180. It starts .2 miles (.3 km) east (9.5km) south of Grant Grove. of the village, climbs a north-fac - ing slope past Sheep Creek REDWOOD MOUNTAIN Cascade (1 mile/1.6 km up) to OVERLOOK: Six miles good views. Lookout Peak (13- (9.6 km) south of Grant Grove, mile/21-km round trip, 4000 across the Generals Highway foot/ 1220 m elevation gain) has from Quail Flat junction, it looks a great panorama. Stren uous; west over one of the world’s allow all day. largest sequoia groves. Studies here proved the positive rela - HOTEL CREEK TRAIL : Starts tionship between fire and .2 mile (.3 km) north of the mar - sequoia reproduction. ket at the intersection with the pack station road. Climbs THE KINGS through chap arral to forest and views from Cedar Grove Over- CANYON & look. 5 miles (8 km) round trip; CEDAR GROVE 1200-foot/365 m elevation gain. The Kings River Bridge to Cedar Strenuous; allow 3 -4 hours. Grove is being replaced this sum - Return via Lewis Creek Trail for an 8-mile (12.9 km) loop.

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glacial history. 1 mile (1.6 km) o t Forest (see page 2 for Park or Forest ). o east of Cedar Grove Village road. h P KNAPP’S CABIN: During the CONVERSE BASIN : Virtually BE CAREFUL : S now or ice may NEARBY TRAILS & Roaring ’20s, a Santa Barbara every mature sequoia in this still make some trails slippery and POINTS OF INTEREST businessman commissioned lav - huge grove was felled early in the 1900s. Walk the 2-mile (3.2 km) difficult to follow. Review safety PANORAMIC POINT ROAD: ish fishing expeditions here, Tree loop to see a advice on page 5. You are on your Open to cars by 5/20, weather storing gear in this small cabin. monarch they spared (6 miles own in the parks, so travel safely! permitting. Until then, hike this A short walk from a turnout 2 north of Grant Grove), or the steep, narrow road to a High- miles (3.2 km) east of Cedar 1 GRANT GROVE ⁄2-mile (.8 km) loop to the Sierra vista. Go east through vis - Grove Village road. TREE: itor-center parking, left around Chicago Stump, a tree cut for A One of the world’s largest living the meadow, right at the sign ROARING RIVER FALLS: exhibit at the 1893 World’s Fair trees. President Coolidge pro - “Panoramic Point, 2.3 miles very short, shady walk to a pow - (2 miles north of Grant Grove) . claimed it the Nation’s Christ- (3.7km).” From the parking lot, erful waterfall rushing through a INDIAN BASIN : A one-mile mas Tree in 1926. It is also a 1 walk ⁄4 mile (.4km) up to view - granite chute. 3 miles (4.8 km) accessible trail and one-mile National Shrine, the only living point. Trailers/RVs not recom - east of the Village road. Paved, unpaved trail. Take Highway 180 me morial to those who died in mended. The 4-mile (6.4 km) accessible with assistance. 7 miles north of Grant Grove; war. Visit historic Gamlin Cabin round-trip Park Ridge Trail ZUMWALT MEADOW: turn into Princess Campground. and the Fallen Monarch along begins here. Trail begins by the host’s site. 1 This 1.5-mile (2.4 km) trail pass - this ⁄3-mile (.5 km) paved trail. A trail guide is sold at the visitor BUENA VISTA PEAK: South of es granite walls, lush meadows, HUME LAKE , formed by a rare, 1 center. North and west of the Kings Canyon Overlook on west and the Kings River. First ⁄2 mile historic, multiple-arch dam, sup - visitor center 1 mile (1.6 km). side of Generals Highway, 7 offers universal access. Trailhead plied water to a flume that float - 1 miles south of Grant Grove. Trail parking is 4 ⁄2 miles (7.2 km) east ed lumber 67 miles (108km) to NORTH GROVE LOOP: This 1 to 360° vista of Redwood Can- Sanger. An easy 2 ⁄2-mile (4 km) 1 of Cedar Grove Village road. lightly traveled, 1 ⁄2-mile (2.4 yon, Buck Rock Lookout, and Purchase a trail guide at visitor trail circles it. Page 9 lists facili - km) trail offers a close look at High Sierra. 2 miles (3.2 km) center or at trailhead. Allow ties. Eight miles (12.8 km) north Big Trees and a quiet walk in a round trip. 1 hour. of Grant Grove on High way 180; conifer forest. Start at Grant 3 miles (4.8 km) south on Hume Tree overflow-parking area. REDWOOD CANYON: Rough ROAD’S dirt road, not plowed, to the Lake Road. DEAD GIANT LOOP: END: High world’s largest sequoia grove. A granite walls BUCK ROCK LOOKOUT :A Speculate on what killed this renewed forest from 30 years of and trails to 1916 tower, still used for spotting sequoia, and enjoy a pictur - prescribed fires shows the posi - the river, Muir fires, offers 360 ° views. Approx- esque view of an historic mill tive relationship between fire imately 6 miles (9.6 km) off Big Rock, and the pond. Follow the old road from and sequoias. Across Generals Meadows Road 14S11, then take High Sierra. the Grant Tree overflow-park - Highway from Quail Flat/Hume Forest Road 13S04. ing area for about a mile. The Lake junction (7 miles south of East of the 1 trail branches off, creating a 1 ⁄2 Grant Grove), to Redwood Village turnoff mile (2.4 km) round trip. Saddle. Turn right (west) and go 5-1/2 miles. 2 miles (3.2km) to parking lot. & SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST / GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT SPRING 2011 7 FACILITIES IN SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK Giant Forest Sequoia Grove Foothills Area 6400’ elevation. Home of the world’s biggest trees, with 40 miles 1300-3500’ elevation. Oaks, chaparral, & river canyons; hot sum- (64 km) of trails. Highlights, page 6. Traffic-delays, back page. mers & snow-free winters. Park headquarters is at Ash Moun tain. • Visitor Center (NPS): Daily 8am-4:30pm through 5/26, then 8am- • Giant Forest Museum (NPS): Open 5/13, 9am-5pm. Starting 6pm. Exhibits, books, maps, bear canisters, first aid. Local wilder- 5/27, 9am-6pm (Lodgepole Visitor Center is open year-round). No ness permits self-issued outside visitor center through 5/26. 1- payphone; closest are at Lodgepole & Wolverton. 559-565-4212. • Giant Forest Shuttle (NPS): Operates 5/26-9/25, from 9am to • Camping (NPS): At Potwisha. Details on page 11. approximately 5:30pm. Stops include Wuksachi, Lodgepole, Sherman • Pay Telephones (cell phone signals are usually poor): Foothills Tree, Giant Forest Museum & Moro Rock. Details on page 6. Visitor Center near front door; Potwisha Campground, Hospital Rock Picnic Area (on restroom wall). Crystal Cave A major park highlight! Tours start May 14. Buy tickets well in Mineral King Area advance at Foothills or Lodgepole visitor centers. Details, page 3. Road to this area opens 5/27, weather permitting. 7800’ elevation. A steep, narrow, twisting road leads to this sub- Lodgepole Village alpine valley. No RVs, buses, or trailers. No electricity or gasoline. 6700’ elevation. Just north of Giant Forest along the Marble Fork • Ranger Station (NPS): Opens 5/27, daily 8am-4pm. Until then, of the . self-register for wilderness permits on the porch. Ask about free ranger-led programs. 1-559-565-3768. • Visitor Center: Daily 9am-4:30pm, 8am starting 5/14. Starting • Pay Telephones: Cold Springs Campground, Sawtooth parking 5/27, 7am-6pm. Bears of the Sierra movie; exhibits on geology & area. Cell phone signals are usually poor. forest life; books; maps. Pay phone. 1-559-565-4436. • Silver City Mountain Resort: Opens 5/27. Cabins/chalets, show- • Wilderness permits required for overnight trips: Self-issue out- ers, restaurant, small store: gifts, supplies, ice, no gasoline or fish- side to the left of the front door of the visitor center through 5/26, ing licenses. Thursday-Monday 8am-8pm. Tuesday-Wednesday then issued inside visitor center. See page 4. 1-559-565-3766. 8am-5pm, pie & coffee only. Pay telephone. 1-559-561-3223; www.silvercityresort.com. FOOD, OTHER SERVICES • Camping (NPS): No RVs or trailers. Details: page 11. • Market, Gift Shop, & Laundry (DNCPR): Daily 9am-6pm through 5/26, then 8am-8pm. Groceries, sandwiches, bear canis- ters, ice cream, souvenirs. Last laundry in 1 hour before closing. Wuksachi Lodge & Dining • Snack Bar (DNCPR): Weekends only 9am-6pm through 5/22. 7200’ elevation. Year-round lodging & food service (DNCPR) in Daily 8am-7:45pm starting 5/27. Sequoia, 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Sherman Tree. • Deli (DNCPR): Starting 5/27, daily 11am-6pm. Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts • Showers (DNCPR): Daily 9am-1pm & 3-5:45pm through 5/26, (DNCPR) and the National Park Foundation then 8am-1pm & 3-7:45pm. make it easy for Wuksachi Lodge guests to • Post Office: Year-round. Weekdays 8am-1pm & 2-4pm. 1-559- contribute to these parks. Ask about the 565-3678. Lobby open 24 hours. Address mail to visitors: c/o Guest Donation Program when you check in! General Delivery, Sequoia National Park, CA 93262. • Dining Room: Daily 7:30-9:30am, 11:30am-2:30pm, 5-8:30pm • Lodgepole Campground (NPS): Open all year. See page 11. through 5/26, then 7-10am, 11:30am-2:30pm, 5-10pm. Dinner • Pay Telephones: Outside visitor center & market. reservations required. Box lunches available. 1-559-565-4070. Lounge 5-8:30pm through 5/26, then 5-10pm. Wolverton • Gift Shop: Daily 8am-8pm. Souvenirs, clothing, crafts. • Wuksachi Lodge: See page 10 for details. Front desk 24 hours. 7200’ elevation. North of Sherman Tree 2 miles. Picnic area. • Pay Telephones: At main lodge. Cell-phone signals are poor. • Wolverton BBQ & Dinner Theater (DNCPR): Nightly 6/12- 9/5, weather permitting. 6-7pm. All-you-can-eat dinner out- doors while you hear family-friendly tales of park history. Tickets at Lodgepole Market or Wuksachi Lodge. FREE NATURE PROGRAMS Join us for ranger-led walks, talks, and campfire programs! Check bulletin boards and visitor centers for details.

IN THE FOOTHILLS Watch for weekend wildflower walks & Potwisha evening campfire programs. IN GIANT FOREST & LODGEPOLE In May, look for walks and talks on weekends & holidays. In June, Sherman Tree talks & Lodgepole campfires begin. IN MINERAL KING Rangers start offering programs in late May.

8 S P R I N G 2 0 1 1 S E Q U O I A & K I N G S C A N Y O N N A T I O N A L P A R K S FACILITIES IN KINGS CANYON PARK & USFS Grant Grove Village Paying Your Entrance Fee at 6600’ elevation. Here you find both a pristine grove & one that Kings Canyon in Grant Grove was logged in the 1800s. Horseback riding — see page 3. Until mid-May, pay the required park and forest entrance • Kings Canyon Park Visitor Center (NPS): Daily 9am-5pm fee just outside the visitor center. After that, the entrance through 5/26, then 8am-6pm. Exhibits, movie in English & station at Big Stump opens. Please stop to purchase or Spanish. Books, maps, first aid, bear canisters. Local wilderness show your pass. One fee covers your visit to both parks and permits issued until 1/2 hour before closing. 1-559-565-4307. the forest! Construction of a new entrance station on FOOD, LODGING & OTHER SERVICES Highway 180 near the park boundary starts this spring. • Restaurant (KCPS): Daily 9am-2pm & 5-7pm (8pm Friday- Expect brief traffic delays. Saturday) through 5/26, then 7am-2pm & 5-9pm. • Gift Shop & Market (KCPS): Daily 9am-7pm (8pm Friday- Saturday) through 5/26, then 8am-9pm. Souvenirs, clothing, ATM. USFS: National Forest & Monument Food, supplies, sandwiches, bear canisters, emergency gasoline. Hume Lake & Big Meadows Areas (FS) • Camping & Lodging: Lodge desk 7am-10pm (midnight starting Giant Sequoia National Monument is part of Sequoia National 5/27). See page 10-11. Showers open 5/26, 11am-4pm. Forest. You are in National Forest when you drive from Lodge- • Post Office: Hours may vary. Monday-Friday 9am-3:30 pm; pole to Grant Grove and from Grant Grove to Cedar Grove. Saturday 10-noon. Lobby open 24 hours. Send mail for visitors to: c/o General Delivery, Kings Canyon NP, CA 93633. 1-559-335- • USFS Hume Lake District Office (FS): 35860 Kings Canyon 2499. Road (Hwy 180) in Dunlap, 19 miles west of Kings Canyon park • Pay Telephones: Kings Canyon Visitor Center (booth by front entrance at Big Stump. Weekdays 8am-4:30pm, daily starting 5/28 door) & outside gift shop & market. Cell phone signals are poor. (closed 5/30, 7/4, 9/5). Maps & books sold. 1-559-338-2251; www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia. PAY TELEPHONES (cell-phone signals are usually poor): Cedar Grove Village in Kings Canyon • Between Wuksachi Village & Grant Grove: Summer only at Road into the canyon open 4/29, weather permitting. Big Meadows trailhead. • Between Grant Grove & Cedar Grove: Hume Lake (year round; 4600’ elevation. This glaciated valley features towering granite see Hume Lake below); Kings Canyon Lodge (summer only). cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, and the powerful Kings River. LODGING & OTHER SERVICES • Visitor Center (NPS): Opens 5/26. Daily 9am-5pm. Books, maps, • Camping (FS) & Lodging (private): See pages 10 & 11 for details. first aid, bear canisters. 1-559-565-3793. • Montecito Lake Resort (FS permittee): Open all year. A resort • Wilderness Permits (NPS): At Road’s End, 6 miles (9.6km) on public land. On Generals Highway 9 miles south of Grant east of the village. Self-issue through 5/26, then 7am-3pm daily. Grove. Meals 8-9am, noon-1pm, 6-7pm through 5/29, then 7:30- 9am, 12-1:30pm, 5:30-7pm. Cabins, hotel, children’s activities. 1- FOOD, LODGING & OTHER SERVICES - Opens May 12 800-227-9900; 1-559-565-3388. • Restaurant (KCPS: Counter-service meals & snack bar; not full • Hume Lake: All year. Facilities on public land open to the public: service. Starting 5/12-6/9, weekdays 8-10:30am & 5-7pm; week- 24-hour laundry (coin operated) & gas station (with credit card). ends 8am-2pm & 5-7pm. Lunch supplies available at market. Market & snack shop. North of Grant Grove 8 miles on Hwy Starting 9/10, daily 7am-2pm & 5-8pm. 180, then right on Hume Lake Road 3 miles. 1-559-305-7770. • Gift Shop & Market (KCPS): Open 5/12-6/9 daily 8am-7pm, • Boyden Cavern: On Highway 180 between Grant Grove & Cedar then 7am-8pm. Salads, sandwiches, supplies, bear canisters, gifts. Grove. Daily 4/29-5/27 tours on the hour 11am-4pm; starting 5/28 • Camping & Lodging: See pages 10-11. Lodge opens 5/12. 10am-5pm. Gift shop. Ask about evening flashlight tours & guided • Showers: 5/12-6/9, 8am-1pm & 3-6pm, then 7am-1pm & 3-7pm. canyoneering trips. Ages 14 & up $13; 3-13 $6.50; under 3 free. • Pay Telephones: Outside lodge & ranger station. AAA 10% discount. Senior and Access Interagency Pass discounts do not apply. Schools/group reservations: 1-559-338-0959. • Horseback Riding: Details on page 3. Open late spring. • Stony Creek Resort (FS): On Generals Highway south of Grant Friends of the holds river cleanups on Grove. Daily starting 5/5-6/10 (hours increase 6/11): Market 8am- 6/4, 7/8, and 9/10. Drop-ins welcome. 7pm; restaurant 4-6:30pm (1 hour later on Friday-Saturdays; For information: 1-916-601-9954; http://sfkingsriver.org. lunch service starts 6/11). Showers 9am-6pm. Laundry 10am- 6pm. Gasoline 24 hours with credit card. Lodge. 1-866- KCANYON; 1-559-565-3909. FREE NATURE PROGRAMS GASOLINE SALES - See page 3, Rules of Park Roads. Check bulletin boards and visitor centers for details on these and other ranger-led programs. IN GRANT GROVE: • Walks or talks may be offered on weekends in April and May. Starting late May - Grant Tree Walks at 10am daily. Starting 6/3 - evening programs nightly at the amphitheater by Azalea Campground. Check locally for times and topics.

IN CEDAR GROVE: • Walks, talks, and campfire programs begin 5/27!

S E Q U O I A N A T I O N A L F O R E S T / G I A N T S E Q U O I A N A T I O N A L M O N U M E N T S P R I N G 2 0 1 1 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. S S These rules protect the park & you! * Silver City Mountain Resort * CAMPING DO & DON’T : 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! NO HOLDING CAMPSITES RVS & TRAILERS late May to mid-October. Cabins, It’s required all year! Learn how to You may not hold a site for someone Length limits & advisory : See chalets, supplies, restaurant, gifts, do it correctly — see box below. who has not arrived. Sites not Rules of the Road (page 5) and bakery, showers. No gas. CAMPFIRE RESTRICTIONS occupied for 24 hours are consid - Road Delays & Detours (back ered abandoned; property may be KINGS CANYON PARK Always check bulletin boards. page) for vehicle-length limits impounded. • Grant Grove Lodge & Gather only dead & down and advisories. Dump stations: See chart on page 11. John Muir Lodge (KCPS) wood; do not cut limbs off trees. GROUP SITES & Reservations: 1-866-522-6966 Trailers are permitted in all but Better yet, buy wood locally. MAXIMUM GROUP SIZES Front Desk: 1-559-335-5500 four park camp grounds; check Fires must be out cold before UP TO 6 : Many campgrounds allow www.sequoia-kingscanyon.com. you leave. only one vehicle & six people per the chart on page 11. Many sites Open all year. In Grant Grove. In the national forest & monument site. Check locally for slight varia - are not suitable for trailers or Hotel, cabins, restaurant, showers you must get a free campfire tions in these limits & parking RVs. Sites may not be level. (closed in winter), store, gifts. Vehicles over 30 feet long can fit permit from the Hume Lake locations for extra vehicles. • Cedar Grove Lodge (KCPS) District Office, Kings Canyon 7 TO 19 : In summer, Crystal Springs in a small number of sites. Reservations: 1-866-522-6966 Visitor Center (Grant Grove), (Grant Grove) has first-come, No hookups are available. Front Desk: 1-559-565-0100 or a Forest Service ranger. first-served sites for groups of 7- QUIET & GENERATOR HOURS www.sequoia-kingscanyon.com 15. Canyon View in Cedar Grove Mid-May to mid-October. In the ROADSIDE CAMPING? 10pm-6am. Generator use: At has sites for 7-19; $35/site. Kings Canyon. Motel, public show - It’s not permited in the park. Lodgepole & Dorst only 8-11am LARGER : Call in advance for infor - ers, res tau rant, laundry, store. Camp only in designated sites in & 5-8pm; at other campgrounds mation on requesting summer campgrounds. In the National 9am-9pm only. Music should be SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST/ group tent-camping sites: For Forest & Monument, roadside audible in your campsite only. MONUMENT AREA Sunset or Canyon View 1-559- camping is permitted unless • Montecito Lake Resort (formerly 565-4335 (5/1-10/31: 565-3792 for post ed otherwise. Ask a ranger BE A VOLUNTEER HOST! Montecito-Sequoia Lodge) Canyon View). To reserve a group Reservations: 1-800-227-9900 for possible locations. Live in the park, take care of camp - site in Dorst or in the national grounds & resources, & meet Front Desk: 1-559-565-3388 PROPANE CANISTERS forest/monument: 1-877-444- great people! Learn about volun - www.mslodge.com. Open all year. Do not put propane or other fuel 6777 or www.recreation.gov. teer opportunities here and On Generals Hwy 9 miles (14.5 km) canisters in park trash cans or TIME LIMITS ON CAMPING nationwide at www.volunteer. south of Grant Grove. Cabins, leave them in the parks. Take Camping stays are limited to 14 days gov/gov. restaurant, hotel, lodge, seasonal them with you and recycle at between June 14 and Sep tem ber & children’s activities. home. 14, with 30 days total per year. • Stony Creek Lodge (KCPS) Reservations: 1-866-522-6966 Front Desk: 1-559-565-3909. www.sequoia-kingscanyon.com PROPER FOOD STORAGE IS THE LAW! Open early May through October ears often get unattended food and even break into cars that 9. On Generals Highway between have food in them. They be come bold and sometimes ag gres sive Grant Grove & Lodgepole. Hotel, Bin attempts to get more. Too often these bears must be killed. restaurant, market, showers, gas. This is why you may be fined if you do not store food properly. The • Big Meadows Cabin (FS) following reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of a bear break-in: 1-877-444-6777; www.recreation. • DRIVERS - Never leave any food or scented item in cars. gov. Open mid-June to mid- • CAMPERS - Store food day and night in the metal boxes provided October. An historic guard station (see page 11 for box sizes; avoid bringing coolers that won’t fit). in the National Monument Store ALL food, coolers, related items, and anything with an odor between Grant Grove & Lodgepole. (even if it’s not food) — including unopened cans and bottles. Latch * Kings Canyon Lodge * the box completely. Food not stored properly will be impounded. Reservations: 1-559-335-2405 Where boxes are not provided, seal food to reduce odors, cover it Open mid-April to mid-November. well, and close the windows. Keep a clean campsite. Deposit garbage On Hwy 180, 13 miles (21 km) east immediately in bear-proof containers or store it like food. Take infant of Grant Grove. seats out of cars; the smells they absorb may attract bears. Sales of Note: These two facilities are on • PICNICKERS - Never leave food unattended. * private land and cannot be evaluat - • LODGE GUESTS - Keep cabin doors closed any time you leave. Save-a ed, regulated, or endorsed by the • BACKPACKERS - Hanging food is not effective in these parks! Store National Park or National Forest. all food in a portable canister. Less than 3 pounds, it holds up to 5- -Bear day’s food for one and fits in a pack. Metal boxes in a few backcoun - kits & pins in NEIGHBORING TOWNS try locations offer backup storage. Rent or buy a canister at park visi - Three Rivers, Lemon Cove, Squaw tor centers or markets. visitor centers Valley & others offer year-round • EVERYONE - Don’t let bears approach you or your food. Wave your directly support lodging, camping, & services. Ask at arms, make loud noises, and throw small rocks toward them (avoid visitor centers or check www.nps.gov/ hitting the face or head). Keep a safe distance but be persistent. bear seki, click PLAN YOUR VISI T then link Abandoning your food teaches bears that approaching humans is management. to LODGING . acceptable, but if a bear does get food, never try to take it back. WILDERNESS LODGE & PERMITS See page 4 for details. 1S0 EQUOSIPAR NINATG IO2N0A1L1 F O R E S T & G I A N T S E Q U O I A N A T I O N A L MSOENQUUMOEINAT & KINGS CANYON NASTUIOMNMAELR P2A0R0K1 S 10 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 & 4 -Year-round # One small box per site (47” long x 17”deep x 16”high); Lodgepole (in Sequoia NP) & for b -Summer only F 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 hottest. Potwisha: F Open all year. 40 $18 Flush 4b4 4 Buckeye Flat: F 28 $18 Flush at b4 No trailers or RVs. Potwisha South Fork: # Open all year. 10 $12 May Vault 4 No drinking water. -Oct. MINERAL KING AREA Elevation 6650’ - 7500’. No RVs or trailers. ROAD OPENS 5/27, SNOWMELT PERMITTING. Atwell Mill: # Earliest open 5/27. 21 $12 Vault bb b 44 Opening may be delayed due to snow. Cold Springs: # Earliest open 5/27. 40 $12 Vault at Silver at Silver b4 4 Opening likely delayed due to snow. City City LODGEPOLE AREA Elevation 6700’. *= reservable in summer up to 6 months in advance (see Reservations above.) *Lodgepole: @ + Open all year. 205 $20/18 Flush bbbb4b 44 Reservation period 5/25 through 9/29. $20 during summer reservation period then $18. *Dorst: @ + Open 6/24 through 9/7. 210 $20 Flush bbb 44 IN KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK (NPS) GRANT GROVE AREA Elevation 6500’. Opening dates depend on snowmelt. Azalea: F Open all year. 110 $18/10 Flush 4b 4at village b4 Crystal Springs: F Opens with snowmelt. 36 $18 Flush 4b 4“ b4 Sites for groups of 7-15 (see page 10): 14 $35 Sunset: F Opens with snowmelt. 157 $18 Flush 4b 4“ b4 CEDAR GROVE AREA (ON THE FLOOR OF THE KINGS CANYON) Elevation 4600’. Area opens April 29. Sentinel: 4600’ F+ Open 4/29, 83 $18 Flush bbb bat visitor b4 weather permitting. center Sheep Creek: 4600’ F + First night 5/18. 111 $18 Flush bbb b“ b4 Canyon View: 4600’ F + First night 5/18. 12 $35 Flush bbb b“ b4 All sites are for groups of 7-19 people. Moraine: 4600’ F Open as needed. 120 $18 Flush bbb b“ b4 SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST/GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT (FS) HUME LAKE AREA Opening dates depend on snowmelt. Elevation 4000’ - 5900’. *= reservable in summer. *Princess: Campground & dump station 88 $18 Vault b $7 b44 May open by 5/27, weather permitting. single Dump station not recommended for vehicles over 30 feet long. *Hume Lake: F Open 5/27. 74 $20 “ Flush 44b44 Tenmile: No water. Open 5/27. 13 $16 Vault 44 Landslide: Open 5/27. 9 $16 Vault 44 Convict Flat: Open 4/29. No water. 5 Vault 4 BIG MEADOWS & STONY CREEK AREAS Opening dates depend on snowmelt. Elevation 6400-7500’. *= reservable in summer. * Stony Creek: # May open by 5/27. 49 $20 single Flush bbb bat lodge 44 *Upper Stony: # May open by 5/27. 18 $16 Vault bbb bat lodge 44 Horse Camp: No water. May open by 6/15. 5 Vault 4 Buck Rock: No water. May open by 6/15. 11 Vault Big Meadow: FNo water. May open 6/15. 45 Vault by trailhead 44

& S E Q U O I A N A T I O N A L F O R E S T / G I A N T S E Q U O I A N A T I O N A L M O N U M E N T S P R I N G 2 0 1 1 11

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Unpaved road Sunset GRANT GROVE C Azalea Roads close Big Meadows r here in e ek AREA e K I N G S e k r winter C The Wye Kings Canyon Park boundary Overlook Horse 180 G Camp en C A N Y O N e Big Stump Quail ra Entrance ls Flat Weaver f Big Meadows Road a Lake lo STEEP ROADS: r (closed in winter) a N Ag T I O N A L Su

Grades of 5-8%. k e e Eshom r Downshift to avoid C H i P A R K g Jennie Lake Seville overheated or failed h Montecito Lake w Lake a Resort y y F brakes. See page 5. n ROAD DELAYS & DETOUe RS o r t g S u s • New Cedar Grove Bridge - o n R expect d e etours through 11/2011: d DRIVING TIME w Stony Creek Village The b ridge between Hwy 180 and Cedar G o k rove o e re

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e ek k FROM FOOTHILLS TO: e re S CANYO k C Lewis Creek TIrNaGilhead aNs aN turn-around for N K ATI O K ON Y R large vehicles and trailers. A Giant Forest - 1 hour. N A K L A P R PA C A R Lodgepole - 1 hour. S L P r K G A e IN N L v • Generals HiQgUhOwIA aNyA TrIeconstruction

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AT A AL Visalia - 1 hour. N N C PA IO Creek Visitor Center Amphitheater Point to DeRKer RidgBeig B-i rd AT Lake N 6720ft & Village Mineral King - 1-1/2 A 2048m expect delays through 5/2012: OI 6720ft EQU Wuksachi hour. Road closed S 2048m DaytimTokeo:p Tahhrough 5/22 - Expect delays up to Village r ve Falls Nov 1 to late May. Ri 2 hours on weekdays. Starting 5/23 - Expect Giant Forest detail map Halstead delays up to 1 hour on weekdays. FROM GIANT FOREST TO y a Night: Possible night closures 9pm-5am h w a h Heather LODGEPOLE & e g Moose Grant Grove - 1 ho ur. w i MondaLya kne ight - Friday morning with one pass- Crystal Cave a H Wolverton Lake GIANT FOREST K through at 11:30pm. Traffic s signals control l FROM GRANT GROVE T O: AREA a Fork r passage during non-working hours.

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Cedar Grove - 1 hour. N A T I O N A L Pinewood e General Vehicles longer than 22’ lon G g cannot n F O R E S T k Sherma Road closed mid- e Tree travel between Hospital Rock and Giant r re e C v Forest Museum due to Federal Highways Nov to lat e April. i S I E R R A R395 Giant Forest Museum GIANT construction limits; vehicles more than 22’ Fresno - 1-1/2 hours. N A T I O N A L 6409ft FOREST K I N G S a F O R E S T 1954m Crescent long cannot make the tight curves in the one- cc Auto Yosemite south entry C A N Y O N h u Meadow

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a Tunnel struSctioEn sQcheUduleOs, seIe Abulletin boards or P A R K K M Log www.nps.gov/seki/parknews/newsreleases. Moro Rock 6725ft 180 2050m • NOthAer RToaIRdiv ORepNairsA - tLhrough 11/2011: ork Kaweah er S E Q U O I A F Expect intermittent delays on weekdays in LIFE ZONES: NAT I O N A L k Hospital r Potwisha 180 F O R E S T o Rock dle areas of the parks. 1-2 day closures may affect F 2080ft Mid High Sierra - 634m some sinPgleA-lanRe roKads and campgrounds. 9,000 to 14,500 feet. Buckeye Flat h Beware of narrow, rough roads. Se 245 t 2820ft e bul- r Summer: Warm to chilly S E Q U O I A o 860m letin boards at visitor centers for updates

N FOOTHILLS days; nights down to N A T I O N A L AREA and details. Thank you for your patience low 30s. Winter: frigid. P A R K Foothills while we work to improve park roads.

Conifer zone - 198 I N Y O Ash Mountain Entrance 5,000 to 9,000 feet. N A T I O N A L 216 F O R E S T Summer: Warm days & Foothills Visitor Center Silver City cool nights. Winter: deep Park Headquarters Resort snow, cold days. 1700ft Atwell Grove 518m Mineral King Foothills zone - Visitor Center 7504ft er 1,500 to 5,000 feet. iv Atwell Mill 2287m Mild, wet winters; hot, R Road closes Three Rivers here in winter MrINERAL KING Cold dry summers. Cedar 857ft ve Eas Ri Grove is cooler than the 261m t AREA Springs h h a Fo Lookout Point ea foothills, but hotter than e r w w k Entrance Ka a Grant Grove. K 198

I N Y O Third Class Mail N A T I O N A L S P R I N G 2 0 1 1 Postage & Fees Paid F O R E S T r SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS U.S. Department of the Interior G-83 e v i S I E R R A R395 470 50 Generals Highway N A T I O N A L F O R E S T K I N G S Three Rivers, CA 93271-9651

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