A day’s hike – Redwood Mountain Grove

Spend a day freed from the crowds which pack the easily-visited sequoia groves by taking the 6-mile loop trail into Redwood Mountain Grove, which begins off the General’s Highway a few miles south of Grant Grove, and reaches into the park’s (and the world’s) largest single grouping of sequoias. Remember that there are no facilities on this route, so be sure to carry plenty of drinking water. You should also get up-to-the-minute advice – such as a weather forecast – from the nearest visitor center before setting out.

A half day hike from Lodgepole

If a 2-mile uphill hike doesn’t sound too daunting, tackle the Tokopah Falls trail, which winds sharply upwards from the Lodgepole camp site, following the course of the Kaweah River to the point where it tumbles over a glacier-carved gorge. Usually, the route turns up many pika: amusing little creatures which look disturbingly like rats but which are a species of rabbit, recognized by their rounded ears.