Kernville California , May 26, 2023 – The Trail of 100 Giants is OPEN with limited parking available. Parking Fee; $12 This trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in the Giant Sequoia National Monument. It’s accessible by road during the summer months (May 15 – Nov. 15, weather dependent). It provides an easy walk on a fully accessible trail. The trail is a self-guided interpretive trail about 1.3 miles long. The Grove contains 125 giant sequoias over 10 feet in diameter and 143 sequoias fewer than 10 feet in diameter. The largest tree in the grove has a diameter of 20 feet and is 220 feet in height. The age of these trees is estimated to be between 500 and 1,500 years old.
What is the Trail of 100 Giants?
Trail of 100 Giants offers an easy, accessible walk through the Long Meadow Grove, one of the premier groves of giant sequoias in our area. Along the trail, you’ll see impressively large giant sequoia trees, estimated up to 1,500 years old. A 1.3 mile paved trail has several loop options with interpretive signs for some of the highlights. Located on the Western Divide Highway (M 107), facilities include a paved parking area, restrooms, picnic area and Redwood Meadow Campground nearby. A $10.00 per vehicle fee is charged to help maintain and improve these facilities. The roads leading to the Trail are typically closed by snow during the winter months. (November thru April)
On April 15, 2000, President William J. Clinton proclaimed the establishment of the Giant Sequoia National Monument and made his announcement beneath one of the giant trees at the Trail of 100 Giants. The grove contains approximately 125 giant sequoias greater than 10 feet in diameter and more than 700 giant sequoias less than 10 feet in diameter. The largest tree in the grove has a diameter of 20 feet and is 220 feet in height. The grove defined by the outermost giant sequoia trees covers 341 acres. It is estimated that the ages of larger giant sequoia trees in the grove are up to 1,500 years old.
A notable site along the Trail is where two giant sequoias fell on Friday September 30, 2011. The two trees had grown together at the base, appearing as one for approximately the first 30 feet. Then, during the winter 2018-2019 another large tree fell across these trees, damaging the newly constructed boardwalk. In 2021 the Windy Fire burned through the area, destroying the boardwalk, work is ongoing to re-construct this portion of the loop trail.
How do I get to the Trail of 100 Giants?
This trail is ONLY accessible by road during the summer months, weather depending, due to annual closures by Tulare County. The trail is located on Western Divide Highway (107) across the road from Redwood Meadow Campground and Trail of 100 Giants parking area. The trail is about an hours drive (45 miles) northwest of Kernville, a 90 minute drive (41 miles) southeast of Springville, and a 30-minute drive (15 miles) northeast of California Hot Springs.
In 2023 however damage to Highway 190 out of Springville sustained major damage in several locations, making it impassible between Springville and Ponderosa. Caltrans is working on repairs in anticipation of having it open from Springville to Camp Nelson by late summer and from Camp Nelson to Ponderosa before winter sets in. Access to day use areas along the Tule River; Lower and Upper Coffee Camps, as well as several campgrounds; Wishon, Belknap and Coy Flat, will not be available until Highway 190 is fully open to the public.
Great Western Divide recreational Updates as of Memorial day weekend 2023
CABIN RENTALS: The Wishon Guard Station, Poso Gruard Station, Grouse Valley Cabins and Quaking Aspen Cabin are CLOSED for the season. For general questions about the cabins, call the Springville Ranger Station at (559) 539-2607. For reservations, please call NRRS
toll free at (877) 444-6777 or www.recreation.gov
CAMPGROUNDS: Here is the status on the following campgrounds at this time. There is a fee ($8) for an additional vehicle. No more than 6 people (or one family) are allowed at each campsite, unless it is a group site. There are limited spots for first-come, first-served or you can make reservations.
- Leavis Flat OPEN : $15/night, 9 sites
- Wishon CLOSED: $32-$64D/night, 31/4 sites:
- Belknap CLOSED $32/night, 15 sites, no trailers:
- Coy Flat CLOSED $32-$64D/night, 19/1 sites:
- Quaking Aspen CLOSED $32-$64D/night, 32/3 sites:
- Redwood Meadow OPEN $32/night, 15 sites:
- Lower Peppermint CLOSED $25/night, 17 sites:
- Upper Peppermint CLOSED Free; First come First Served, 12 sites:
- White River CLOSED $26/night, 12 sites:
- Holey Meadow CLOSED $30/night, 9 sites:
- Long Meadow Group OPEN $158/night, max 36 visitors:
- Quaking Aspen Group CLOSED $55/$110/$220, max 12/25/50 visitors:
- PICNIC/DAY USE: Lower Coffee Camp is CLOSED, due to road damage. Unknow when it will re-open.
- Upper Coffee Camp is CLOSED for the season. Parking Fee; $12
TRAIL OF 100 GIANTS: The Trail of 100 Giants is OPEN with limited parking available. Parking Fee; $12
This trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in the Giant Sequoia National
Monument. It’s accessible by road during the summer months (May 15 – Nov. 15,
weather dependent). It provides an easy walk on a fully accessible trail. The trail is a
self-guided interpretive trail about 1.3 miles long. The Grove contains 125 giant
sequoias over 10 feet in diameter and 143 sequoias fewer than 10 feet in diameter. The
largest tree in the grove has a diameter of 20 feet and is 220 feet in height. The age of
these trees is estimated to be between 500 and 1,500 years old.
TRAILS & WILDERNESS: Golden Trout Wilderness;
Permits are required for overnight stay in the Golden Trout Wilderness year-round.
They can be obtained free of charge by calling one of our offices for directions.
Changing weather conditions this time of year could bring snow even at the lower
elevations. Always check the weather forecast before you go and tell someone you trust
of your plans. Please exercise extreme caution when crossing streams and rivers. Check
with the local ranger station for current information and weather conditions prior
to any travel.
Please remember: Dogs are NOT Allowed on Sequoia National Park trails. However,
Dogs ARE Allowed on Sequoia National Forest, Giant Sequoia National Monument
trails.
ROADS: Llyod Meadow Road (22S82) will be closed until repairs are completed. It is
currently under a winter closure order. Check weather reports and call the ranger
station about the status of particular roads before heading out. Changing weather
conditions this time of year could bring snow even at the lower elevations. Always
check the weather forecast before you go and tell someone you trust of your plans.
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Always carry tire chains in your vehicle as well as extra food, water, and warm clothing
while traveling in the mountains.
PACK STATIONS: Golden Trout Wilderness Pack Station: (Call for reservations).
Under Special Use Authorization with the Sequoia National Forest, the Golden Trout
Wilderness Pack Station offers a variety of horseback riding opportunities. The Pack
Station is located off the North Road, Forest Road 21S50, north of Quaking Aspen
Campground. For more information please call (559) 535-5304 or visit
www.goldentroutpacktrains.com
Balch Park Pack Station: CLOSED for the season: Located near Balch County Park
and Mountain Home State Forest, the Balch Park Pack Station offers a variety of
horseback riding opportunities. For more information please call Tim at: (559) 539-
2227 or visit www.balchpark.com
FISHING AND HUNTING: Fishing season is open in some area’s year around, such as the Tule River Drainage.
Other areas are open the last Saturday in April through November 15. Be sure and
check the Fish and Wildlife regulation book (available at district offices) for specifics
and current rules and regulations. You must have a valid fishing license in your
possession if over the age of 16. This information is also available on the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife website: www.dfg.ca.gov .
OTHER CAMPGROUNDS: Balch Park Campground: CLOSED for the season. Tent: $20; RV: $25; Pet: $5 per
night. Disable with documentation: Tent: $10; RV: $15 per night. Day Use; $5 per
vehicle. Summer: Phone (559) 539-3896 or Winter: Phone (559) 624-7000.
Mountain Home State Forest Campgrounds: CLOSED for the season. Call for
updated info. Summer: Phone (559) 539-2321 or Winter: Phone (559) 539-2855.
Both of these campgrounds have limited spaces available.
GLASS BOTTLES NOT In response to large amounts of broken glass found along the Tule River the Forest
ALLOWED ON THE Service prohibits alcoholic beverages and food in glass containers along portions of the
TULE RIVER River. This prohibition is to protect public health and safety for visitors in the “area,”
said District Ranger Eric LaPrice. Possessing or storing alcoholic beverages or food in
glass containers is prohibited along the Tule River from Wishon Campground to its
intersection with Highway 190 and from the Forest Service boundary along Highway
190 to the Moorehouse Fish Hatchery located just below Camp Nelson.
Recreation Report available on inciweb at https://inciweb-prod-media-bucket.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazon…
