Part 3

=_Alta Trail._=--Nine miles from Giant Forest to Alta Peak (11,211 feet); passes through the Plateau of the Giant Trees and Panther, Mehrten, and Alta Meadows. The view from Alta Peak has been pronounced by members of the Sierra Club as fine as any in the California mountains. It is the nearest point to Giant Forest from which Mount Whitney may be seen. Horses may be ridden to the summit. Alta Meadows is a delightful place to camp. A full day should be allowed for this trip.

=_Trail of the Sequoias._=--Connects the High Sierra Trail from the saddle near Crescent Meadow, 3.7 miles to the Alta Trail, and passes through Big Tree groves rarely seen by the public before the opening of this trail.

=_Circle, Crescent, and Congress Trails._=--All lead from the Alta Trail through the thickest Sequoia forests to meadows and mammoth trees within 2 miles of Giant Forest. From 2 hours to 2 days could be spent covering this area.

=_Soldier and Bear Hill Trails._=--Lead from Giant Forest, 2 miles to Moro Rock, passing near the Parker Group and past the Roosevelt Tree, Hanging Rock, and other points. A half-day stroll.

=_Sugar Pine Trail._=--From Moro Rock, 1 1/2 miles along the plateau edge to Crescent Meadow and Kaweah Vista, with side trip to Bobcat Point.

=_Twin Lakes Trail._=--From Lodgepole Camp, 5 miles to Clover Creek, and 2 miles farther to Twin Lakes, famous for unsurpassed scenic setting at 9,750 feet, and for good trout fishing. Several hundred feet above Twin Lakes on Silliman Shoulder is one of the finest panoramas of mountain scenery in the world. A day is well spent on this trail.

=_The Watchtower and Heather Lake Trails._=--These two trails lead to major scenic spots. From the Watchtower there is a 2,000-foot drop to Tokopah Valley; and Heather, Emerald, and Aster Lakes are mountain jewels on the west slopes of Alta Peak. All of these trips may be made from Giant Forest in half a day, although it is preferable to allow a full day for them. Ranger naturalists conduct nature hikes to these points during the summer.

=_The High Sierra Trail._=--This trail, one of the finest mountain routes in America, extends from the Big Trees of the Giant Forest to the summit of Mount Whitney (14,494.7 feet), the highest mountain in continental United States. In Sequoia National Park the largest trees in the world are now linked by a splendid trail to the highest mountain peak in the country.

The main features along the High Sierra Trail, with distances shown from Giant Forest, are: Bearpaw Meadow, 12 miles, with view of waterfalls, great cliffs, and River Valley; Hamilton Lake, 16 miles, conceded by those who know the Sierra Nevada to be the "cream of Sierran scenery"; Hamilton Gorge suspension bridge, 18 miles; Kaweah Gap, 20 miles, with expansive views of Kaweah peaks and main crest of the Sierra Nevada, as well as the Big Arroyo immediately below; Moraine Lake, 30 miles; Kern Canyon at Funston Meadows, 34 1/2 miles; Kern Hot Springs, 37 miles; Junction Meadow, 44 miles; Crabtree Meadow, 54 1/2 miles; Mount Whitney summit, 62 miles. From the summit of Mount Whitney there are 13 miles of trail down the east side to end of automobile road, at Whitney Portal, 16 miles from the town of Lone Pine.

Meals and comfortable beds may be obtained at reasonable rates at the outpost station located at Ibex Meadow, making a trip possible to the summit of Mount Whitney and return from the east side without the necessity of packing heavy supplies and equipment.

FAUNA AND FLORA

=_California mule deer._=--So-called because of their large ears. They are abundant everywhere and often tame near campgrounds.

=_American black bear._=--Found throughout the park and are very plentiful at Giant Forest during the spring and early summer months, where several at one time may be seen at the Bear Hill. These bears are not ferocious, and under all ordinary circumstances will run from man. Young of the same litter often vary in color from cinnamon to brown or black. Visitors must not feed the bears. They are fed daily from camp garbage.

=_Columbia gray squirrel._=--A delight to the eye as it dashes across a road or trail, a blue-gray furry vision that at times appears to be all tail--the largest squirrel.

=_Douglas squirrel or Sierra chickaree._=--Very abundant and thrusts itself upon the public by its quarrelsome and scolding disposition. About two-thirds the size of the gray squirrel, and gray-brown in color.

=_Chipmunks of several species._=--The Alpine, Sierra Nevada, and Sequoia are abundant everywhere in the pine and Sequoia. They become very tame and steal from campers' tables or food supplies.

=_Sierra golden-mantled ground squirrel._=--Often mistakenly called a chipmunk and having much the same habits. At Giant Forest it is as abundant as the chipmunk and may be distinguished by its golden color and larger size.

=_California Valley ground squirrel._=--Has recently arrived at Giant Forest, but it is not plentiful enough to do damage.

In addition to the above, marmots, mountain lions, wildcats, mountain beaver, coyotes, foxes, trade rats, and other animals are found in the park. Information about them may be had at ranger stations, the museum, or the superintendent's office.

The birds commonly noticed by visitors near Giant Forest are the blue fronted or stellar jay, western tanager, western robin, chickadee, junco, red-shafted flicker, white-headed woodpecker, several warblers, sparrows, and finches. The golden eagle and the red-tailed hawk are sometimes seen from Moro Rock. A list of all the birds may be obtained at the Giant Forest Administration Building.

Even a slight acquaintance with the park flora will vastly increase the pleasure of your visit, and park rangers will gladly answer inquiries.

The trees most noticed near Giant Forest are the Big Trees, sugar pine, yellow pine, white and red fir; the western white pine and the lodgepole pine are found higher up; the incense cedar is abundant; lower down are many varieties of oak, maple, and other hardwoods.

Among shrubs and bushes, the many kinds of sweet-scented ceanothus or deer brush, manzanita, chokecherry, chinquapin, and dogwood are most noticed.

The flowers which by their profusion and brilliancy most attract attention are, among myriads, the lupine, yucca, goldenrod, shooting star, ragwort, Queen Ann's lace, bears clover, false hellebore, many gilias, pentstemons, and monkey flowers.

KERN CANYON AND MOUNT WHITNEY

The entire upper watershed of the Kern River, and the widely known Kern Canyon, added to the park in 1926, is a spectacular area containing the roughest and loftiest peaks of the entire Sierra Nevada, with Mount Whitney at 14,494.7 feet elevation, the highest point in continental United States, only barely thrusting its head above many others of nearly equal height. In the center of this mass of mountain wonderland is the Kern Canyon, with its colorful walls 3,000 feet high extending north and south 25 miles. Hot springs and mineral springs are added attractions, while fishing is unsurpassed anywhere in the Sierra. A minimum of 2 weeks for a trip either by pack or foot is necessary adequately to cover the wonders of this region, but it may be reached in 1 day from Mineral King to Kern Canyon Station (Camp Lewis or Soda Springs). The new High Sierra Trail has linked the Big Trees of Giant Forest to the Kern Canyon by a graded trail. It is a good 2-day journey from Giant Forest to Kern Canyon.

MOUNTAINEERING

The peaks of the Sierra Nevada and Great Western Divide, as well as the Kaweah Peaks, in Sequoia National Park, offer excellent opportunities for mountaineering. Devotees of this greatest of outdoor sports are visiting the park in increasing numbers. Those interested in mountaineering in the park should communicate with the Sierra Club. Members of that club have made some notable ascents and are fully conversant with the technique of climbing in the Sierra of California.

Among the high peaks in the park, many of them over 14,000 feet, which offer opportunities for mountaineering may be mentioned Mount Whitney, highest in the United States outside of Alaska, Muir, Langley, Russell, Tyndall, Williamson, Junction, Stanford, Table, Milestone, Kaweah, Sawtooth, and Silliman.

Of the approximately 60 peaks in the United States over 14,000 feet, 13 are in California; and of these, 6--Whitney, Muir, Langley, Russell, Barnard, and Tyndall--are in Sequoia National Park.

Information about mountaineering may be obtained by applying to the superintendent of the park, or at any ranger station therein. Full information about equipment and types of climbs may be obtained by writing to the secretary of the Sierra Club, Mills Tower, San Francisco.

PACK TRIPS TO HIGH SIERRA

Many inquiries are received relative to hiking and pack trips in the Sierra within and adjacent to the Sequoia National Park. The following information about maps, trails, camps, routes, etc., will be useful to prospective visitors; but in view of the wild nature of the territory and inaccuracy of existing maps, the information must be accepted with reservations.

The country from the Sequoia National Park to Yosemite National Park is shown on the United States Geological Survey quadrangles: Kaweah, Tehipite, Mount Whitney, Olancha, Mount Morrison, Mount Goddard, Bishop, Mount Lyell, Kaiser, and Yosemite. The John Muir Trail crosses parts of these quadrangles. Maps of these areas are based on surveys made from 15 to 25 years ago, with only slight corrections since, and the trails and other artificial features have undergone many changes. These maps may be obtained from the United States Geological Survey, Washington, D. C., or from the superintendent, Sequoia National Park, Calif., at 10 cents each. The parts of the maps of the Tehipite, Kaweah, Mount Whitney, and Olancha quadrangles included within the Sequoia National Park are printed on a single sheet, which may be obtained for 25 cents from the chief ranger, or at the Giant Forest naturalist's office.

Sequoia National Park and the area surrounding it includes a region of as great diversity and wild grandeur as any area of equal size in America. Here are more than 75 peaks over 11,000 feet in elevation, of which 7 are more than 14,000 feet, 35 over 13,000 feet, and 20 more than 12,000 feet high. Here are at least 200 high mountain lakes, and over 300 miles of streams containing the famous golden and Kern River rainbow trout. Good mountain trails traverse this area and lead to the outstanding points of interest.

Camping places and fenced pastures are available, so that parties may make camp in comfortable places that also provide adequate facilities for the horses.

Pack outfits start for the high mountains during the season. Packing into the High Sierra starts from Giant Forest and Hospital Rock Camps in the park, from points near the park such as at Three Rivers, the Maxon Ranch, and Mineral King, from points in the national forests both north and south, and from Owens Valley towns to the east.

Giant Forest, elevation 6,500 feet, because of its excellent accommodations and general activities of a mountain resort, is becoming more popular each year as a point of departure for the High Sierra. Automobiles left at Giant Forest will be cared for by the park operators and canvas covers furnished.

Main trails lead north from Giant Forest via J. O. Pass to the Kings Canyon, Roaring River, and Sugarloaf districts north of the park; east and south via High Sierra Trail or Redwood Meadows to the Kern Canyon and Mount Whitney in the park; by either Kaweah Gap or Black Rock Pass to the Big Arroyo or by Timber Gap to Mineral King and a choice of trails southward to the Kern River in the lower canyon.

Three Rivers, on the paved highway and a few miles below the park entrance, is the local center for packers and guides to the High Sierra. There are hotel accommodations, stores, and post office located here.

Mineral King, 7,800 feet elevation, 32 miles above Three Rivers by mountain road, is in the Sequoia National Forest, which here forms an indentation from the south into the park area. It is a center for pack outfits and guides and an excellent place from which to leave for Kern Canyon, Mount Whitney, and the High Sierra. There are limited hotel accommodations, a store, and post office.

Lone Pine and Independence, on the east side of the Sierra on the Midland Trail, are centers for pack outfits. Good hotels, stores, garages, and other conveniences are available at these and other towns in the Owens Valley.

KERN RIVER CANYON

From Giant Forest the Kern is best reached by way of the High Sierra Trail to Hamilton Lake or Big Arroyo, first day; Moraine Lake or Funston Meadow in Kern Canyon, second day.

From Mineral King to the Kern there are several alternative routes, and the trip may be made by way of Franklin Pass and Rattlesnake Creek in 1 long day; or Franklin Pass and Soda Creek; or by Farewell Gap, Rifle Creek, and Coyote Pass. It is 1 long day or 2 easy days from Mineral King to the Kern by either Franklin or Coyote Passes.

KERN RIVER CANYON TO KINGS RIVER CANYON

The trail generally used in the past between these canyons is not shown on the United States Geological Survey topographic map, but passed through Shepherd and Junction Passes east of Junction Peak to the headwaters of the Kings at Center Basin. This has been replaced by a new trail direct from Tyndall Creek to Center Basin, passing just west of Junction Peak over Foresters Pass. It is known as the John Muir Trail Cut-off. In addition to this route, there is a rough but passable trail from Junction Meadow, near the head of the Kern Canyon, via the Kern-Kaweah River and Colby Pass to Cloud Canyon and the Roaring River section of the Kings.

KINGS RIVER CANYON

At an elevation of 6,600 feet, General Grant National Park and places nearby at Hume and Big Meadow are points of departure for the Kings Canyon, Sugarloaf, and Roaring River areas. The most direct routes to these areas are from this park. Good hotel and camping facilities, post office, stores, telephone, and telegraph, repair shops, etc., are located in General Grant National Park.

From the Kings Canyon main trails lead out as follows: Up Copper Creek and via Granite Basin to Simpson Meadow (and down the Middle Fork to Tehipite Valley and Dome), north from Simpson Meadow to John Muir Trail, and over Muir Pass via LeConte Canyon to Yosemite; up Paradise Valley to Woods Creek and John Muir Trail over Pinchot Pass to the upper basin of the South Fork of the Kings River; up Bubbs Creek to intersection with John Muir Trail, or over Kearsarge Pass to the Owens Valley, or via Center Basin, Junction, and Shepherd Passes to the Kern Canyon.

SUGARLOAF AND ROARING RIVER

This fine scenic area is covered from Giant Forest via J. O. Pass or Silliman Pass entrances to the park, Rowell Meadow, Sugarloaf Meadow, Scaffold Meadow, up Deadman Canyon to Elizabeth Pass, to Bearpaw Meadow, and to Giant Forest.

THE JOHN MUIR TRAIL

The John Muir Trail from Mount Whitney, in the Sequoia National Park, to the Yosemite Valley, in the Yosemite Park, is not clearly defined for all of the way on existing maps, but information concerning it may be secured by writing to the superintendent.

MOUNT WHITNEY

From the Kern, Mount Whitney is reached either by the new Wallace Creek or Golden Trout Creek Trails. The Wallace Creek Trail leaves the Kern Canyon about a mile and a half north of the mouth of Junction Meadow. The Golden Trout Trail leaves the lower end of the canyon near Kern Canyon Ranger Station. At Camp Lewis, near the Kern Canyon Station entrance to the park, is a small resort, with store and accommodations, and telephone communication.

An outpost tourist camp is maintained at Ibex Meadow on Lone Pine Creek, and a special 3-day round trip from Lone Pine to Mount Whitney and return is provided by a Lone Pine packing outfit. Arrangements have also been made by the same packer for an all-expense trip from Los Angeles and return. Lone Pine may be reached by automobile from the San Joaquin Valley at Bakersfield, or direct from Los Angeles through Mojave.

PERMITTED PACKERS

All packers expecting to conduct parties through the Sequoia National Park should obtain a permit from the superintendent. Parties may then be taken through the park, subject to the National Park Service rules and regulations. Business may only be solicited within the park by the Sequoia & General Grant National Parks Co. (Earl McKee, Three Rivers, Calif.).

ACCOMMODATIONS

The following is a general scale of rates for accommodations, subject to change upon approval by the Secretary of the Interior. A detailed schedule of rates may be procured upon application to the superintendent of the park, the Sequoia & General Grant National Parks Co., at the station upon entrance to the park, or travel bureaus.

American plan--Rate includes room and three meals.

European plan--Rate includes room only, with extra charge for meals as taken.

Housekeeping--Rate includes furnished cabin or bungalow tent room with equipment for preparation of meals by occupant.

American-plan and housekeeping accommodations are available in the park throughout the year. Giant Forest Lodge, Camp Kaweah, and Pinewood Shelter Camp are open from May 25 to September 8. Giant Forest Winter Camp (American plan and housekeeping) opens September 8 and closes May 25. Hospital Rock Camp (European plan and housekeeping) is open all the year. For week ends and holidays, American-plan reservations should be made in advance. Reservations for housekeeping accommodations are always necessary, and a $5 deposit should accompany each request for a housekeeping camp. Address the Sequoia & General Grant National Parks Co., Sequoia National Park, Calif.

At Giant Forest Lodge, a colony of rustic cabins under the Big Trees with a central community group for meals, campfire entertainment, etc., the rates range from $5 a day each for two persons in a room without bath to $8 for one person in a 1-room cabin with private bath. There is no charge for children under 3; half rates for those up to 11. The rates for meals only are 75 cents for breakfast, $1 for luncheon, and $1.25 for dinner. Discounts for longer stays.

Camp Kaweah, situated opposite the village store, is comprised of bungalow tents and rustic cabins grouped around a central building containing bathrooms and other modern conveniences. They are completely equipped for housekeeping, including linen and the laundering of the same. By the day, the cost ranges from $2 for one person and $3 for two persons to $4.50 for five persons in a camp. By the week, the cost ranges from $12 for one person and $16.50 for two persons to $27 for five persons in a camp. Children under 3 years of age, no charge. European-plan accommodations are also available here at a cost ranging from $2 for one person to $1.25 each per day for three in a room. Children 3 to 10 years, half rate on European-plan accommodations.

Pinewood Shelter Camp is about a mile from Giant Forest on the Generals Highway. For 1 or for 2 persons a cabin costs $1.50 a day; each additional person, 50 cents. These cabins are not equipped with bedding or cooking utensils, but such articles may be rented at the camp if desired.

Hospital Rock Camp, on the Generals Highway, about midway between Ash Mountain entrance and Giant Forest, offers housekeeping accommodations at the same rates as those for Pinewood Shelter Camp. Supplies may be purchased at the central building, where there is also a lunch counter.

European-plan accommodations may also be obtained at the rate of $2 for 1 person, $1.50 each for 2, $1.25 each for 3 or more in a room.

Bearpaw Meadow Camp, along the High Sierra Trail, 11 1/2 miles from Giant Forest, provides meals and tent accommodations for hikers and horseback riders. Lodging per person, $1.50 per night. All meals, $1 each.

Giant Forest Winter Camp offers both American plan and housekeeping accommodations as well as a coffee shop, a la carte service, at reasonable rates.

A colony of sealed rustic cabins at Camp Kaweah has been constructed especially for winter use. Rates, American plan, are from $5 a day each for 2 persons in a room, without bath, to $8 a day for 1 person in a room, with private bath. Meals: Breakfast, 75 cents; lunch and dinner, $1 each. Children: Under 3, no charge; 3 to 10, inclusive, half rate. For housekeeping cabins: 1 person in room, 2 days or less, $2.50 per day; more than 2 days, $2 each per day; per week, $12. Two persons, 2 days or less, $2 each per day; more than 2 days, $1.50 each per day; per week, $9 each. Three or more persons, 2 days or less, $1.50 each per day; more than 2 days, $1.25 each per day; per week, $7 each. Housekeeping cabins, partially equipped, are available at the rates given for Pinewood Shelter Camp.

Winter sports equipment and wearing apparel may be rented by the hour or day.

TRANSPORTATION AND SPECIAL TOURS

The Sequoia and General Grant National Parks Co. operates an auto stage daily from June 10 to September 10 over a Circle Tour route, in one direction only from Fresno, Visalia, and Exeter through both Sequoia and General Grant National Parks. Stage leaves Fresno 8:15 a. m., passing through Visalia and Exeter, arriving at Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park, about 12:15 p. m. Stage leaves Giant Forest about 1:45 p. m. for return trip to Fresno by way of General Grant National Park over the spectacular new Generals Highway arriving at Fresno 6:30 p. m. Fare for round trip from Fresno, Exeter, or Visalia, $10.

For the convenience of visitors in planning their trip a 2-day all expense tour called "Two National Parks in Two Days" is featured over this route. This tour provides an overnight stop at Giant Forest Lodge, Sequoia National Park, with all meals and lodging, a sightseeing trip in Giant Forest, sightseeing stop in General Grant National Park, and complete transportation in connection with stage schedule outlined above. Fare for 2-day all expense tour, $17.50. There is a shorter trip of 1 day and also hotel bus service. Regular and special sightseeing trips are available in Sequoia National Park and over the Generals Highway to General Grant National Park and the Kings River Canyon at reasonable rates.

From September 11 to June 9 "On Call" service by advance reservation is provided from Visalia and Exeter to Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park, and return the same route.

HORSEBACK TRIPS

The park's 700 miles of trails are a challenge to visitors, and horseback riding is a favorite way of enjoying them. Saddle horses are rented by the Sequoia and General Grant National Parks Co. to experienced riders without guides for use in the areas between the Sherman Tree and Moro Rock at $2.50 a half day and $4 a day. A burro may be had for 25 cents an hour or $1.50 a day. For a minimum party of four persons, half-day trips will be made to the following places at a cost of $3 each: Through Giant Forest, Keyhole Tree, High Pine, Abe Lincoln Tree, Congress Circle, Bear's Bathtub, Huckleberry Meadow, John Muir's Home, and many other places of special interest.

For parties of four persons or more, 1-day horseback trips at a cost of $4 each may be made to Alta Peak for views of Kaweah Canyon, the Great Western Divide, and Mount Whitney, and to Twin Lakes and Heather Lake. For smaller parties, the charge is slightly more.

A 3-day all-expense trip to Bearpaw Meadow and surroundings can be arranged.

HIGH SIERRA PACK TRIPS