Sequoia & Kings Canyon Guide

Boyden Cave 180 Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks General Kings Canyon Grant Tree Trip Planner Visitor Center S E Q U O I A N A T I O N A L F O R E S T GRANT GROVE 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 180 180 e K I N G S C A N Y O N N A T I O N A L P A R K ls ra Hw y ay hw Hig KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK ne Ge Pinehurst Big Stump Entrance Ge n ls ra Winter 2021–2022 National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Photo by Kirke Wrench Information in this newspaper can change at any time as we work to safely provide access to these parks. Badger Roads in the parks may close at any time due to storms, snow, debris flows, or other conditions. Visiting after the KNP Complex Fire In October 2021, the KNP Complex Fire burned over 88,000 acres in and around the parks. Impacts from the fire create risks. Trees can fall at any time. Narrow, winding roads with steep drop-offs are even more hazardous during storms. Travel within the speed limit, watch for falling rocks and landslides, and stay in your lane. Please be careful—your safety is in your hands. To protect the safety of park visitors and employees, we've made changes that will affect your visit. For current updates, check signs at entrance stations and other areas, the free park mobile app, and our web pages at www.nps.gov/seki. S E Q U O I A N A T I O N A L P A R K The Generals Highway may close at Hospital Rock at any time. Potwisha Campground Availability of Services Park lodges are closed until spring. For more information, go to www.visitsequoia.com. General Sherman Tree GIANT FOREST Giant Forest Museum Hospital Rock Picnic Area e FOOTHILLS Ash Mountain Entrance Foothills Visitor Center G n Camping is available at Potwisha and Azalea campgrounds. No reservations are needed. Sites are available on a firstcome, first-served basis, but availability is extremely limited. Expect to camp in the snow at Azalea Campground. y wa gh i sH al er Wolverton Snowplay Area 198 Open and Closed Areas Three Rivers Winter storms may close park highways, epsecially at higher elevations. The KNP Grant Grove Market is open daily in Kings Canyon National Park. In Sequoia National Park, bring everything you need for your visit. 216 198 Foothills and Kings Canyon visitor centers and Giant Forest Museum are open for information and travel planning. Hours of operation vary. Park stores in visitor centers are open for sales of maps, books, and gifts. Complex Fire impacted most of the Generals Highway, increasing the potential for slides and debris flows. When roads are plowed and cleared, they will reopen. If the Generals Highway is closed at Hospital Rock Picnic Area: Look for activities in the Foothills area (see page 6). If you'd like to see sequoia groves, consider driving to Grant Grove. The entrance to Kings Canyon National Park via highways 63 and 180 is two hours from the Sequoia entrance. Check conditions before you travel. Highways there may also be closed or may require tire chains. For 24-hour road information, call (559) 565-3341. General Information ........... 2 Wildlife Safety ........................5 Grant Grove ...........................8 Información en español ..... 10-11 Camping............................... 3 Foothills ..................................6 Wilderness Trips .....................9 Información de seguridad ...... 10 Safety ................................... 4 Giant Forest ...........................7 National Forest Lands ............9 Winter Roads & Driving .......... 12 2 General Information Contacts Frequently Asked Questions Accessibility Cell service Pets Cell service is extremely limited here, and mainly is available for some networks near entrance stations. Pets are not permitted on any trails in Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Pets must be kept on a leash at all times, or appropriately crated or caged. Pets cannot be left tied and unattended at any time. The leash must be no longer than 6 feet (1.8 meters) long. We are committed to a continuing effort to improve the accessibility of our trails and facilities so they can be enjoyed by all. If you have questions or suggestions about accessibility, please email us at SEKI_Interpretation@nps.gov or call us at 559-565-3341. EMERGENCY — DIAL 911 No coins are needed in pay phones for 911 calls. Pay phones are located at: • Potwisha Campground • Hospital Rock Picnic Area • Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove (near the restrooms) Drones Unmanned aircraft are not allowed in these parks. This includes drones and other remotely piloted vehicles. Marijuana Sequoia & Kings Canyon (NPS) (559) 565-3341 (24 hours): Recorded information is available for road conditions, weather, current fires, camping, lodging, wilderness, and more. www.nps.gov/seki @sequoiakingsnps @sequoiakingsnps @sequoiakingsnps Sequoia National Forest/ Monument (USFS) (559) 338-2251, fs.usda.gov/sequoia Yosemite National Park (NPS) 209-372-0200, nps.gov/yose California Road Conditions (CalTrans) (800) 427-7623, dot.ca.gov Campground Reservations Visit Recreation.gov or call (877) 444-6777 TDD: (877) 833-6777). Delaware North (Authorized Concessioner) Visit www.visitsequoia.com or call (866) 807-3598 for lodging reservations. Possession or use of marijuana and other controlled substances inside the national parks is prohibited. While California law provides for limited possession and use of marijuana, it remains an illegal drug under federal law, which is enforced within the parks. Firearms in these National Parks People who can legally possess firearms under federal, California, and local laws may possess firearms here. You are responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable California, local, and federal firearms laws. Discharge of firearms in the parks is prohibited. GPS GPS programs often misdirect travellers here. Use maps and signs, or ask for directions. If you use GPS or online maps, don't use the "avoid toll roads" option. Translations Welcome - You may borrow a Braille copy of the park map & guide at visitor centers. Bienvenidos - Hay un folleto en español disponible en los centros de visitante. Bienvenue - Une guide officielle est disponible dans les centres d’information. Accessibility Guide Ask at any visitor center for a printed accessibility guide. This booklet offers details about accessible park features by area and for different user groups. The information in the guide is also available online at www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm. Visitor Centers All visitor centers and museums have paved, flat paths leading from parking areas to information desks, exhibits, bookstores, water bottle filling stations, and restrooms. Cedar Grove Visitor Center (summer only) is small, and may be difficult for people in wheelchairs to navigate. Mineral King Ranger Station (summer only) has steps leading to the entrance and may not be accessible to people with mobility impairments. Wheelchairs may be borrowed at no cost at Kings Canyon Visitor Center or Giant Forest Museum. They can be used anywhere in the parks but must be returned by the end of the day, before each visitor center closes. Be prepared to provide your address and phone number. Assistive listening devices and open captioning are available for ranger programs and park films. Borrow a device at park visitor centers. Wheelchair-Accessible Trails General Sherman Tree Trail (Giant Forest) This short trail leads a few hundred feet from an accessible parking area to the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on earth. Big Trees Trail (Giant Forest) Wilkommen - Eine Landkarte ist auch in deutscher sprache im Besucher-zentrum erhaltlich. This level trail is a 0.75-mile (1.2 km) loop. It circles a meadow surrounded by giant sequoias. Benvenuti - La traduzione in lingua Italiana della mappa e’ disponibile in tutti i centri di informazioni. Hazelwood Nature Loop (Giant Forest) Free Mobile App Install the new free National Park Service app for more trip-planning information. Search for National Park Service in the iTunes or Google Play stores, and then choose Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Be sure to download content for use offline during your visit. WiFi may not be available at visitor centers; we recommend you install the app before you get to the parks. This firm-packed trail leads through a quiet area within the Giant Forest. The entire loop is 0.3 miles (0.5 km). Exhibits along the way describe the natural history of the area. Park at the pullout just north of the Big Trees Trail parking area. Tunnel Rock Stop at this feature in the Foothills area of Sequoia National Park to see the large granite boulder that once covered the highway. Parking spaces just uphill from Tunnel Rock provide the most level pathway to the road under the rock. 3 Camping Campground Location Nightly fee Toilets Dump station Showers Potable water Other information Azalea Grant Grove $22 Flush – – Yes Twenty snowy sites. First-come, first-served until spring, then make reservations at Recreation.gov. Potwisha Foothills $22 Flush Maybe – Yes Sites are usually snow-free. First-come, first-served until spring, then make reservations at Recreation.gov. South Fork Foothills $6 Vault – – – The road to this campground is very rough, especially after rain. High-clearance vehicles are recommended. The following campgrounds are closed until spring or summer: Buckeye Flat, Lodgepole, Dorst Creek, Crystal Springs, Sunset, Canyon View, Sheep Creek, Sentinel, Moraine, Cold Springs, and Atwell Mill campgrounds. First-come, First-served for Winter RV and Trailer Length Limits This winter, camping is available on a first-come, first served basis and no reservations are available. We recommend that you pay for only one night at a time. Campgrounds may close at any time due to weather, road conditions, or other causes and refunds cannot be issued. For campers at Azalea Campground, snow removal can take up to 24 hours after a heavy winter storm. Consider checking out prior to a major storm, or prepare for an extended park stay if you are unable to leave due to impassable roads. If you're driving an RV or trailer, check length limits on park roads and at campsites. Reservations Roadside Camping Make camping reservations at Recreation.gov, or call (877) 444-6777 (TDD: (877) 833-6777). You can also purchase your entrance pass online here. Roadside camping is not permitted in the park. Camp only in designated sites in campgrounds. Check-in and Check-out Check-in and check-out is at noon. Dump Station The Potwisha dump station is under construction and will be closed for part of the winter. Campsite Amenities Each campsite has a table, food storage box, and accommodates up to six people and one vehicle. There are no RV hook-ups in the parks. Quiet and Generator Hours Noise should be audible in your site only. Quiet hours are 10 pm–6 am (no generators). Activities All activites are free of charge. Teachers & Parents, Take Note! Ranger Walks & Talks Invite a ranger to your class, visit the parks with your school group, or download lesson plans. We also have activities for students and families that can be used before and after your visit, creating a more immersive experience. All education programs are standardsbased and free! Visit nps.gov/seki/learn/education. And ask about the Every Kid Outdoors free pass for 4th-graders and their families! Free programs are offered in the Foothills, Giant Forest, Grant Grove, and other locations! Check bulletin boards for schedules of ranger-led activities. Junior Ranger Program Pick up a free booklet at any visitor center, complete the activities, and earn your badge! Interested in volunteering? Log in to volunteer.gov and enter keywords “Sequoia and Kings Canyon” to see available opportunities, or call the volunteer office at (559) 565-4232. Volunteers are needed for invasive plant control, special events, and routine clerical and maintenance tasks. Individuals and groups welcome! Sequoia Parks Conservancy (SPC) is the official nonprofit partner to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. We work hand-in-hand with the National Park Service to provide tours and retail services, fund critical projects, and protect and preserve park treasures for future generations. Visit us online to learn more about everything we do. We’ve saved a place for you—come join us! @SequoiaParksConservancy @SeqParksCon Shop our online store! SPC Adventures We're here to help you have a fun and memorable journey in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Join our private group tours and we'll connect you to the biggest trees, the darkest skies, and the wildest wilderness. Everything is here waiting. The only thing missing is you. For more information, call (559) 565-4251, or visit www.sequoiaparks.org/adventures. 4 Be Safe You are Responsible for Your Safety Explore Safely Beautiful, yet remote and rugged, these parks present hazards. Mountain weather changes quickly, trees fall without warning, and wild animals pose dangers. People cause other hazards by driving poorly, leaving campfires burning, and making bad decisions. Cell phones can’t be relied on and GPS directions may send you in the wrong direction. Every day, we help visitors who have emergencies. • Avoid traveling alone. Tell someone your plans and expected return time. • Take a map, water, flashlight, and extra layers of clothes. Do not rely on your phone's map or flashlight. Please help us by being prepared—review these safety warnings. Your safety is in your own hands! • Be alert for potential hazards above, around, and on the ground. River Safety á While swimming in the parks' lakes and rivers can be tempting, drowning is the primary cause of death here! Tree Hazards Branches and trees may fall, whether dead or alive, and when there is no wind. Keep eyes and ears open. Run if you hear cracks or snapping from roots, trunks, or branches (sometimes there is no sound). Don't linger under dead, cracked, broken, or hanging branches. Avoid spending any time under trees that are rotten at the base or have cracked bark that is peeling off the trunk. Air Quality Poor air quality often affects the parks, especially during the summer. In summer months, ozone concentrations often exceed federal health standards. Ozone can have negative health effects, particularly for sensitive groups such as children, older people, and those with heart or lung disease. For air quality forecasts, visit the park website. Rivers present great danger due to their swift currents and slippery rocks. In riverrelated deaths, many people did not intend to swim, but fell in. Currents are strong even during low water. Drop-offs and undertows are ever-present. Be vigilant. Once in a river, getting out can be nearly impossible. Cold water rapidly saps your strength and hypothermia can set in quickly even if it is warm outside. • Do not swim in areas with strong currents, or steep drop-offs. • DO NOT leave children unattended. • Swimming and alcohol or drugs do not mix. Swim sober. • Wear sturdy shoes. Sharp objects in the water can cut bare feet. • During storms, get out of the water and exit beach areas. • NEVER SWIM ALONE. West Nile Virus & Tick Bites West Nile virus is passed by bites from infected mosquitos. Human illness is not common but take steps to avoid mosquito bites. Ticks are common in grassy, brushy lowelevation areas. They can carry diseases that harm humans. Check yourself for these insects after walks; their bite is painless. Remove them carefully with tweezers and seek a doctor’s advice. j Rattlesnakes Rattlesnakes are common in the Sequoia foothills and in the Kings Canyon at low elevations. Watch where you put your hands and feet! Do not harass or kill them; this is when most bites occur. Bites are rarely lethal, but tissue damage can be severe. If bitten, don’t panic and call 911. Plague & Hantavirus Plague and hantavirus are associated with wildlife here, but cases of human infection are rare. Rodents and their fleas may carry plague, which may infect humans when bitten. Hantavirus is an airborne virus that comes from infected deer mice. Typically people contract hantavirus after they clean areas or are in enclosed spaces with deer mice feces. ` Keep Pets Safe D Don't Lose Your Brakes To keep pets and wildlife safe, animals must be on a leash at all times. Pets are vulnerable to tick and snake bites. Bears and deer have also been known to charge or attack dogs. Pick up all pet waste and dispose of properly. Pets are not allowed on any park trails. Do not leave pets unattended or in vehicles where they can easily overheat. Poison Oak This common shrub grows up to 5,000 feet (1,524 m) in elevation, and can cause an itchy rash if you touch it. Poison oak has leaves in groups of three. Leaves are red and berries whitish in fall. The plant is bare in winter, and has shiny green leaves in spring. If you touch any part of it, wash skin and clothes with soap and warm water right away. If you keep a foot on the brake for too long, brakes may fail. Instead, always downshift when going downhill. In automatic vehicles, put the gearshift on 1, 2, or L. The engine gets louder, but your brakes won't overheat. Safety in Burned Areas Watch for falling trees. Branches and trees may fall, whether dead or alive, even when there is no wind. Keep eyes and ears open. Listen for cracks or snapping from roots, trunks, or branches. Don't linger under dead, cracked, broken, or hanging branches. Avoid spending any time under burned trees. Keep Bears Wild Bears will grab unattended food and break into cars where food is visible. Some bears have become bold and aggressive because they have obtained human foods. Too often, these bears must be killed as they become dangerous. Food storage is key to keeping humans safe and bears alive. In Wilderness Hanging food often fails! Store all food in a bearresistant storage container. These containers weigh less than 3 pounds (1.3 kg), hold up to 5 days of food, and fit in a backpack. Rent bearresistant storage containers at park visitor centers. A list of approved containers can be found on our website. Metal boxes are located in a few wilderness locations. Don't enter closed areas. There are identified risks in these areas, including burned bridges, hazard trees, and sections of trail that are unstable due to erosion. Many of these hazards may be hard to spot. Drive carefully. Rocks, debris, and even downed trees may be present on roads at any time. Be alert and drive slowly, especially during rainy or windy weather. Yield to snowplows that are clearing roads, and follow tire chain requirements when they are in place. Watch out for animals. Everywhere Stay on trails. Though it may be tempting to wander, off-trail areas have hazards such as rolling rocks, holes, and unstable soils. Be especially careful if it's rainy or windy. Storms and wind make many of the hazards even more dangerous. Consider waiting until the weather is better before you travel in a burned area. If you encounter dangerous conditions, turn back. Conditions in burned areas can change quickly. Turn around if you see a problem and you're not sure if it's safe to continue. Report dangerous conditions to park staff. Be safe around rivers. Rivers present great danger due to their swift currents and slippery rocks. In river-related deaths, many people did not intend to swim, but fell in. Currents are strong even during low water. Check at trailheads for information about potential hazards or closures. 5 Campgrounds Store food day and night in the metal food storage boxes provided (avoid using coolers that won’t fit; most boxes are 47" long x 33" deep x 28" high. Store ALL food, coolers, related items, and anything with an odor. Even non-food items must be stored 24 hours a day when not in use. This includes unopened cans and bottles. Make sure food storage boxes are completely latched. Food not properly stored will be impounded. Keep a clean campsite. Deposit garbage immediately in trash cans or dumpsters. Do not leave garbage unattended! Take child safety seats out of cars—the smells they absorb may attract bears. Lodges Remove all food and child safety seats from your vehicle. Don’t let bears approach you, your food, picnic area, or campsite. Wave your arms, make loud noises, and throw small rocks toward them (avoid hitting the face or head). Keep a safe distance, but be persistent. Abandoning your food teaches bears that foods come from humans; the bear may hurt a person in the future to get food. If a bear does get your food, NEVER try to get it back. Touring and Picnicking Food items MUST be stored in food storage boxes when provided. If no food storage box is available, food items must be inside your car trunk. If your vehicle doesn't have a trunk, place food items low in the vehicle, out of sight, and keep windows closed. While picnicking, never move away from coolers and tables when food is out. Stay within arm's length of food. Bears can smell anything with a scent—such as hand sanitizer, cosmetics, toiletries, trash, and cleaning supplies—and will mistake these items for food. Store anything with an odor. Wildlife Viewing & Safety Keep Wildlife Safe Wildlife and the KNP Complex Fire Do not feed or touch ANY wild animals. All animals in the parks are wild. View animals at safe distances (the length of two city buses) or through binoculars. While the KNP Complex Fire burned many acres across both parks, and some animals were temporarily displaced from their homes, all wildlife in the parks are capable of adapting to fire. Plenty of good habitat remains here for animals. A plentiful acorn crop offers a food source for bears and other animals, and grasses are already sprouting in burned areas. It is critical that while animals return to their homes and seek foods to fatten up for winter that they are not disturbed. The best way to love wildlife after a fire is from a distance. Never disrupt, approach, or disturb animals from behaving normally. 6 Foothills Explore the foothills, home to more species of plants and animals than the rest of these parks combined. Chaparral, oak woodlands, and river canyons offer spring wildflowers, hot summers, and mild winters. Open or Available Paradise Creek Marble Falls Closed or Unavailable Buckeye Flat Campground Foothills Visitor Center and Sequoia Parks Conservancy Park Store Paradise Creek Trail Open daily with capacity limits. WiFi available. Maps, books, and other items sold here. Aveces Marble Falls Trail hay guardabosques aqui quienes hablan español. Colony Mill Trail Wilderness Permits Potwisha - Hospital Rock Trail (uphill from the Generals Highway) NPS / Rick Cain 2007 Self-register at the permit station near the visitor center restrooms. For trips beginning at South Fork, self-register at the trailhead. Potwisha Campground and Day Use Area Foothills and Hospital Rock Picnic Areas Tunnel Rock Middle Fork Trail This trail is open for day and overnight use. Park at Hospital Rock and walk to the trailhead. Mineral King The road to this area is closed for the season. Because of the recent KNP Complex Fire, some wilderness areas and trails may be closed to the public. Due to impacts from the KNP Complex Fire, Mineral King Road and some trails will be closed through winter. If you're planning an overnight trip in this area, be sure that all trailheads you plan use for exit and entry are open. ô Tunnel Rock Snap a picture at this iconic pullout off the Generals Highway. Walk on the old road under the rock, but do not climb on top of the rock. Please follow posted speed limits, watch for pedestrians in the roadway, and respect closures. ô Hospital Rock Picnic Area See rock paintings and explore exhibits about the California Native Americans who lived here and still visit and live nearby. If you find an artifact, leave it in place and notify a ranger. Take a short walk to the river or a longer walk on the Middle Fork Trail. Be careful; drownings have occurred in the nearby river and bears are active here. Store your food in a food storage box or keep it within arm's reach. Due to impacts from the KNP Complex Fire, the Generals Highway may close at any time. If the highway closes at Hospital Rock, features in the Foothills area may still be open, but there will be no access to the Giant Forest, including snowplay, sequoia groves, and the General Sherman Tree. The Grant Grove area, two hours from the Sequoia entrance, may be open. Check road conditions before you travel there: (559) 565-3341. Snowplay at Wolverton Wolverton Road starts just north of the Sherman Tree. Turn on this road to reach the snowplay area. It is plowed during daylight hours Fridays through Sundays plus Wednesdays and holidays, through mid-March. After storms, it may take hours or even days to open this road as plows must clear the main road first. Closed or Unavailable Please don't leave broken sleds and trash behind! Mineral King Ranger Station Too often, spring melt reveals piles of trash left in the snow. Closed until late May. Highway Closures Snowplay in Sequoia National Park Sledding is at the end of the road. Paradise Creek North Fork Trail above 2800’ in elevation Wolverton Snowplay Area General Sherman Tree Giant Forest Museum Wilderness Permits Silver City Mountain Resort (private) Closed until late May. Foothills Visitor Center Wuksachi Lodge Giant Forest Welcome to the big trees in winter. Winter trail maps can be purchased at Giant Forest Museum. Road may close to this area at any time. D Visiting the General Sherman Tree Two trails lead to the world’s largest tree: Main Sherman Tree Trail and Parking When snow begins to accumulate, this trail and parking area usually close. This 0.5-mile (0.8 km) trail down to the tree has some stairs; the walk back is uphill. Benches provide rest points along the way. Drive 2 miles (3 km) north of Giant Forest Museum (past the small Sherman Tree accessible parking lot). Turn onto Wolverton Road and follow signs to the parking area. Wheelchair-Accessible and Winter Sherman Tree Trail from the Generals Highway Before snow begins to accumulate, parking here is only for those with disability placards. If you don't have a placard, but can’t walk the hill on the main trail, ask at a visitor center for a temporary permit. When snow begins to accumulate, this parking area is open to all. Check signage at the parking area before parking here if you don't have an accessibility placard. Do not park in the roadway. Congress Trail – From the Sherman Tree, continue along this fairly level 2-mile (3.2 km) loop through the heart of the Giant Forest sequoia grove. Park only in designated spots in parking areas or in paved pullouts. Vehicles parked in unpaved areas along the highway pose a danger to traffic and may be ticketed. If parking areas for the Sherman Tree trails are full, consider coming back later in the day, or visiting sequoias in a quieter area. Options for seeing the Giant Forest sequoia grove include Big Trees Trail, Hazelwood Nature Loop, and hikes beginning at Giant Forest Museum. Once snow accumulates, the Sherman Tree Main Trailhead and Parking Area may close. Use this map to find parking and hiking options for the General Sherman Tree. ô Big Trees Trail A level, paved loop with trailside exhibits about sequoias. Start your walk at Giant Forest Museum for a 1-mile (1.6 km) round-trip walk. Ski or snowshoe once snow gets deep. There are no yellow ski-trail markers along this trail. If you have a disability placard, park at the trailhead for a 0.75-mile (1 km) loop. Check signage at the parking area before parking here if you don't have a placard. Open or Available Closed or Unavailable Giant Forest Museum and Sequoia Parks Conservancy Park Store Lodgepole Area (visitor center, market, campground, and area trails) Open with capacity limits. Winter trail maps, books, and other items are sold here. Aveces hay guardabosques aqui quienes hablan Español. Wuksachi Lodge & Restaurant Wilderness Permits Self-register outside Giant Forest Museum. Moro Rock / Crescent Meadow Road Big Trees Trail The road is closed to vehicles due to impacts from the KNP Complex Fire, but is open to hiking. Walk along this road to reach Moro Rock, the Colonel Charles Young Tree, and Crescent Meadow. Crystal Cave Hazelwood Nature Loop General Sherman Tree and Congress Trail Wolverton Picnic and Snowplay Area C Bearpaw High Sierra Camp Some Trails, See Closure Signs B A Wolverton Main Sherman Tree Parking Sherman Tree Trail accessible parking Giant Forest Museum To A Sequoia entrance (1 hour) B 7 Lodgepole Campground Crescent Giant Forest Museum Meadow This lot usually fills early in the day. Moro Rock and Winter Sherman Accessible Tree Parking This parking area is on the main park highway. When the main parking area closes, this parking is open to all. C Main/Summer Sherman Tree Parking Take Wolverton Road and follow signs. This parking area usually closes when snow accumulates. D Wolverton Snowplay Area This area is at the end of Wolverton Road. If you use this area for snowplay, have fun and stay safe! Paradise Creek Snowplay Safety Sled Safely Every winter, people get hurt badly while sledding in the park. Sledding accidents send over 20,000 people to emergency rooms each year in this country. Don’t let an accident ruin your winter fun. • When sledding, slide feet first. • Consider wearing a helmet. • Make sure your path is clear. Don’t slide near rocks, trees, branches, or other people. • After sliding, look uphill. Move out of the way of people coming downhill after you. • Don’t slide into roads or parking lots. • Avoid hard-packed snow or ice, where speed and direction get out of control. • Sliding devices that can be steered may be safer than others. In an emergency, contact a ranger at Kings Canyon Visitor Center or Giant Forest Museum, or call 911. 8 Grant Grove Wander through snowy sequoia groves or snowshoe through a forest logged at the turn of the century. The Grant Grove area offers a chance to explore, with some amenities nearby. Grant Tree Trail This is the only intermittently plowed trail in the area. Beware of slippery ice and packed snow! This 0.3-mile (0.5 km) paved loop trail leads to the world’s second-largest living tree. Drive 0.1 mile north of Grant Grove Village and look for road signs leading to the parking area and trailhead. On the trail, look for tactile exhibits about sequoias. North Grove Loop This lightly traveled, 1.5-mile (2.4 km) loop with a 400-foot (120 m) elevation change offers a close look at sequoias and a quiet forest walk. Start at the Grant Tree bus and RV overflow parking area. Visitor Center to Grant Tree Trailhead Grant Grove Snowplay Areas Big Stump and Columbine picnic areas are designated for snowplay. Big Stump may close due to facilities maintenance. Snowplay is prohibited in all other areas in Grant Grove, including Azalea Campground, which is for campers only. A pay telephone is located outside of Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove Village. Have fun and stay safe! Nearby Forest Service Areas Snowplay is allowed at Cherry Gap Trailhead and Quail Flat (when the Generals Highway is open). Other national forest areas offer opportunities for skiing and snowshoeing. Cherry Gap Snowplay Area General Grant Tree Columbine Snowplay Area Kings Canyon Visitor Center GRANT GROVE 180 180 Big Stump Entrance Big Stump Snowplay Area Quail Flat Snowplay Area ls ra Big Stump Basin Visit the site of a historic, 19th-century lumber mill and count the tree rings of the Mark Twain Stump. Start the 2-mile (3.2-km) round-t