Continuing on from Moro Rock, the trail resumes behind the shuttle stop, descending through a tangle of cut logs, probably the victims of a bark beetle infestation. Some river access is available. I’ve seen visitors hiking the loop as far as Tharp’s Log and then taking the shuttle back from Crescent Meadow, but in so doing they miss the best of the giant sequoias. There’s a rather impressive cluster of sequoias just past Moro Rock, but otherwise there aren’t any sequoias between here and Crescent Meadow. Moro Rock Sequoia National Park, California To count yourself among the hikers lucky enough to reach the summit of this 6,725-foot rock fin, make your way along the General’s Highway to Crescent Meadow Road—the Moro Rock turnoff is located at the southern end of the drive. Home > Sierra Nevada > Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks > Giant Forest > Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow More photos. At the trailhead find restrooms, picnic tables, bear boxes, and informational signs. Along the way, travelers can drive beneath Tunnel Log, a Sequoia that fell over the road. Here’s the trailhead location in Google Maps and Google Street View. The giant Sequoias in Sequoia National Park are amazing. Click map to show all roads and trails This area has some really impressive sequoias. The road is unpaved beyond the park entrance and may be rough for some vehicles; it is slippery during rainy or snowy weather. The trailhead for the loop through Crescent Meadow is just a mile from Moro Rock and is a great trail to visit in combination with this one. The trail climbs up to Badger Point, where there’s a superb view to the west. Be sure to fill your tanks before you enter the park, or ensure that you have enough gas to reach one of the two gas stations in the neighboring national forest: Hume Lake (open yea… The right takes you to Moro Rock and the left takes you to Tunnel Log and Crescent Meadow. Tire chains can be required at any time on park roads and are available for purchase or rent at locations near park entrance stations. Hume Lake remains accessible year-round. Continue on to the end of the road past the almost always fil… It may open earlier during light-snow years. The Crescent Meadow area can get a little busy; at peak times you might see a group every minute. At the intersection with the Badger Point Trail, go right; the trail emerges onto a sunny granite face where a crystal-clear creek cascades down a little channel carved into the rock. What is Moro Rock? The outbound half of this loop mostly passes through typical Sierra pine woodlands with some sweeping views, a few big trees, and a chance to climb Moro Rock. There are no gas stations within these national parks. Interestingly, although the west side of the hill is much more lush, the sequoias are, at least at first, smaller. Follow this road to the end for Crescent Meadow, or take the turnoff onto the loop for Moro Rock and Hanging Rock. When: Weekends: 8:00 am and 8:45 am, then every 10 minutes 9:00 am – 6:00 pm. Moro Rock is a granite dome located in the center of the park, at the head of Moro Creek, … Some river access is available. There are no gas stations within these national parks. The outbound half of this loop mostly passes through typical Sierra pine woodlands with some sweeping views, a few big trees, and a ch… It may open earlier during years with little snow. There is a vehicle-length advisory for vehicles 22 feet and over from Potwisha Campground to Giant Forest Museum. Trail Map of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Generals Highway. This road is typically open year-round. Two roads lead from Highway 180 to Hume Lake, one from Princess Campground and one from Quail Flat. Moro Rock-Crescent Meadow Road is closed to private vehicles on weekends and holidays. From the Generals Highway turn onto Crescent Meadow Road and then after 1½ miles onto the road to Moro Rock. The trail climbs a small hill studded with half a dozen immense sequoias. The Moro Rock walk is a unique experience, and the Crescent Meadow trail is nearby for an up close encounter with giant Sequoias. The view from Moro Rock. Learn more about chains and other winter driving information before you plan your visit. This road is generally open daily until it becomes impassable due to snow, and is then plowed from Friday to Sunday plus Wednesday and holidays to allow access to the snowplay area at the end of the road. Near the south end the path runs alongside a small elongated meadow, crosses the Crescent Meadow Road then meets the Moro Rock Trail shortly before the final climb to the overlook. Instead, the trail winds through typical and very pleasant Sierra pine forest. Though ski trails lead to the parking area, the stairway is closed due to the danger of the icy or snowy steps. The redwoods become more common but smaller in this area. A small parking lot is accompanied by restrooms and informational kiosks. It dead-ends at a trailhead and picnic area. Click the picture to zoom in to a view of the trail that climbs the rock. Follow the sign and turn right. In winter, tire chains are often required. Snow removal along this road is limited to removal of drifts that block road access once the road is open. For an optional side trip, when the Moro Rock Trail meets a paved road, take the trail to the right toward Hanging Rock. Record numbers of vehicles have been entering these parks recently. The trail offers a brief glimpse of a large burned area, then descends into an attractive fern-filled glade. Much of Highway 180 is in Sequoia National Forest-national forest updates may be available online, or call (800) 427-7623. This is due to rockfall from the cliffs, which is common once temperatures fall below freezing at night. There is no drinking … After Tharp’s Log, the trail climbs over a low ridge and finally enters real sequoia forest. Check this page for current information about what's currently open in the parks. To find the road, turn into Grant Grove Village parking lot, continue past the visitor center, then turn right just before John Muir Lodge. The lush look mainly comes from the hazel shrubs that grow here. No drinking water is available along this road, so be sure to take some with you. Sugar Pine Trail: 1.4: 200: The Sugar Pine Trail links Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow, running through the forest a little way south of the paved Crescent Meadow Road. The best part of the side trail isn’t Hanging Rock but the dramatic views of Moro Rock, which actually looks a lot more impressive from this vantage point than it does when climbing it. This side trip adds 0.2 miles to the hike. If your vehicle is longer than 22 feet, consider using the entrance to Kings Canyon National Park along Highway 180. As this is where several major trails begin, it's a perfect stop for day-trippers and families. Road closures begin just north of Wuksachi Lodge, ending at a gate near the junction of the Generals Highway and Highway 180 (near Grant Grove). Weather and chain control advisories can change rapidly, often multiple times per day. At the top of the hill the trail emerges into an open area before beginning its descent down the other side of the hill. Overall, the constantly-changing scenery and many points of interest make this a really fun hike and a great introduction to the Giant Forest. The trail pushes through some dense brush and then climbs to a somewhat anticlimatic ovoid boulder sitting on a granite outcropping with a view to the west. The trail briefly vanishes at the rock face. But only the Giant Forest Museum area and Moro Rock are really crowded. This road leads to campgrounds, trailheads, and a pack station. This road is not recommended for trailers or RV's. Located in the southern portion of the park just off the General’s Highway is one of the most popular areas of the park and during the summer months it can be very congested so to avoid the crowds we advise going in the early morning hours. It is located about a mile from Moro Rock, another popular spot, and it provides access to a stunning meadow that you will not soon forget.Here is all the information: If you drive an RV or a vehicle with a trailer, check advisories before you visit. RVs and trailers are not recommended (they are not permitted in the Mineral King campgrounds). The Mineral King Road, Highway 180 into Cedar Grove, and … Pack a picnic to enjoy at the nearby Crescent Meadow Picnic Area. Along the way, travelers can drive beneath Tunnel Log, a Sequoia … Although it’s one of the more scenic sights of the hike, there aren’t actually a lot of sequoias around this meadow. Moro Rock Trailhead. Turn left onto the High Sierra Trail and then immediately right onto the paved Tharp Log Trail, which briefly skirts Crescent Meadow. There is a. Closed until spring are Mineral King Road, Highway 180 into Cedar Grove, and Crystal Cave Road. The General Sherman Tree is popular, but can be skipped in favor of less crowded Sequoias. This road generally opens by the Wednesday before Memorial Day in late May and closes when it becomes impassable due to snow. Moro Rock is a granite dome rock formation in Sequoia National Park, California, United States. To get to the trailhead:Take Generals Highway (SR 198) east to Crescent Meadow Road, which is just south of the Giant Forest Museum. It generally opens on the Wednesday before Memorial Day in late May and closes when it becomes impassable due to snow. It’s a fun climb up to the top of the rock. Crescent Meadow John Muir is said to have called this lovely, grassy open area the "gem of the Sierra." The road from Princess Campground is usually open all year. The road offers the option of taking a passageway through a fallen Sequoia log or driving around on a short bypass. After three miles, the road ends at the Crescent Meadow Parking Area. It is located in the center of the park, at the head of Moro Creek, … The road joins Highway 198 in the town of Three Rivers, about 6 miles south of the Sequoia park entrance. Moro Rock is easy to get to, particularly if you are allowed to take your private vehicle to the parking area (which depends on the time of year). On weekends, the road closes to private vehicles and shuttles are the only way to reach Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow. Since 2011 visitors haven’t been allowed to drive to Crescent Meadow on summer weekends, so the only ways to get to Crescent Meadow is to take a shuttle or walk. The trail winds through pine woods, offers a brief view of the Central Valley, and then passes through an area with lots of dead trees. Stay to the left, skirting the edge of the rock and crossing the creek, to pick up the trail again. Turn right just before the museum on Moro Rock/Crescent Meadow Road and follow the signs straight up to the Moro Rock parking lot. It generally opens on the Wednesday before Memorial Day in late May and closes when it becomes impassable due to weather. When the road is closed, it becomes a ski trail. Follow the Hazelwood Trail toward the Giant Forest Museum. This main highway is closed occasionally during and after snowstorms for plowing. 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