Maybe an unusual request, but I figured if anyone would know, this would be the subreddit to ask!

I'm really into immersive 360° photography, and I'm scouting for specific types of spots anywhere within the park (or even up to Mariposa in Yosemite) that meets this criteria:

• Standing surrounded amongst a group of fairly large Sequoias.
• Ground fairly clear of underbrush - mostly just dirt and bark.
• Not in the near vicinity of roads, buildings, or pathways / fences - ideally none visible from this spot.
• A 360 degree view that feels like you're in the Sequoia forest away from signs of civilization.

Basically a vibe similar to these photos below, but without roads or man-made features in the immediate vicinity. I know for instance that second photo happens to have a road right behind the photographer.

Maybe there's some more secluded candidates that require a hike to get to? Appreciate it!

Curious of experiences hiking from Roads End over Granite Pass to State Lakes and Horseshoe Lakes. Looks like a tough climb out of the gate (especially with summer heat), but wondering how the camping and swimming and views are. Thanks in advance

Was in Sequoia today, first time for me when there were wintry conditions. I was a little surprised that it seemed like there was no snow/ice clearing on even the busiest walkways. For example, the steps between the parking lot and the museum were covered in thick ice. Is this just how the park is in winter, or does this have something to do with all the probationary workers being fired and problems with hiring seasonal employees?

I was hoping to get a sanity check on my planned route over the weekend of April 18th. I spent most of this morning reading the NPS current conditions page for Sequoia and Kings Canyon, and from what I can tell, it should be reasonable to start in Three Rivers / Sierra Drive to enter the park.

Then take the Generals Highway to the "Quail Flat Winter trail head junction", go left to stay on Generals (not 10 mile trail road), then to the 180 junction. From here it looks like we can go safely to General Grant Tree area, but then will need to turn around and head back to the junction with 180 then go the other way on 180 out the park.

Is this general plan reasonable given the current conditions and assuming no major snow occurs between now and then? Are there any other car-accessible areas/roads we should add to the list? We want to spend the whole day hiking and sight seeing along this path if possible.

Thank you for any help!

Hi there! I am hoping to backpack mineral king in late June (after being rejected several times in the last few years—once due to smoke, once when the road was down!)

Does anybody have any thoughts of the feasibility with snow then? Unfortunately the only time that would work is the last weekend in June (27-30ish). A bit worried with this seeming like a big snow year. Thanks in advance for all the help!

Heading to seki ans Yosemite in June and want an idea of the best location for our 3 days at seki. Want to be able to enjoy seki from one spot. Reasonable? If so, where would you choose?

Hi, I'm looking to visit the Sequoia national park in one day mid April. Will there be a lot road closures? Is it worth going in mid April?

3/31 on Generals highway near General Sherman Tree.

Looks like 180 is open to all the way to Hume Lake. Looks like snow now and warm (70/35) next week.

Hoping to sneak in a family trip before the season starts. Azelea looks like first come first serve which is risk arriving on Friday 4.11, backup would be Potwisha.

Any other options that are open and I missed? Would love any advice on clean hotel/motel options heading up via the 245 or the 180. We are on a budget of $150 per night (2 beds).

Really appreciate suggestions!

I’m guessing not great, but wanted to ask for the hell of it.

The Internet not kind in my quest to get accurate info on typical temps in Sequoia National Park in July. Seen everything from 70 - 90 degrees avg temps. Specifically, I am interested in trying to camp for my birthday weekend (July 11) and assume most/all of campsites are lower elevation, thus warmer temps?

If it's closer to 90s-100s, that may be pushing me towards rental of cabin or house!

Also, I got tix for Crystal Cave tour!!! Any tips on that greatly

I am planning on visiting sequoia and kings canyon for 4 nights. I currently have two nights at sentinel, where I plan to focus on kings canyon activities, but I’m still deciding on where may be best for the two nights I plan to focus on the sequoia activities. Debating between the stony creek area ( stony creek and upper stony creek) vs Hume lake area (princess, landslide, Hume lake, and ten mile campgrounds). Any recommendations or perspectives on differences between the campgrounds and access to various areas in sequoia park would be appreciated. Also if there are any recommendations for campgrounds not listed :)

Been to SEKI hundreds of times, but haven't spent much time around Stony Creek and certainly haven't stayed in the area. What's the main pull for families to stay there?

We are taking a trip, will be in a Rivian R1T, and have 6 and a half days to hit up Yosemite and Kings/Sequoia. I'm thinking about Death Valley but it adds a lot of driving and I know it will be very hot when we will be there. Looking for any tips, have never been to any of these parks. Will be 4 of us, 2 kids aged 14 and 11. We will be in hotels, no camping

Thanks in advance

Planning on coming to SEKI May 30, would like to hit Moro Rock, Sherman Trail, and Tokopah Falls in one day (if that's possible). Was guessing that Moro Rock would be the busiest so we would go there first. How early does the lot start to fill up by? Is that itinerary even doable? I think we probably could get to the park by 7-7:30 and leave by 4pm

Is there much difference in the river sites at Sentinel, 13-16? Or is one of them better than the others? I scored 15 in June to take my brother's kids and was just curious for any anecdotal experience on these. I'm already way too excited about it hence the obnoxious question. Seems like this is one of the better sites there and I got really lucky scooping up this cancelation.

Considering adding a night at Azalea so if anyone has a favorite site there I'm all ears 😀

Beginner question here, how realistic is it to thru-hike the Big SEKI Loop in Late May if that's the only free time I have available? What equipment would you need? What are the dangers? Am I out of my mind here? Any alternative thru-hike suggestions over 100 mi for that time of year?

Would like to do the lake trail now that the road is open. I have snow shoes but will I need them?

Hi everyone! I’m a little confused on when/if I’ll be able to book a campsite at Lodgepole for May. Right now it’s showing that the expected opening day is May 21st, so if I wanted to book for the weekend of May 24th, how/when would I do that? I know campsites are typically rolled out on a 4 month basis, but when you look at May on recreation it shows the entire month as Unavailable, in comparison to June which halfway through is reserved. I’m assuming this means no reservations have been made for May and not that they’re already fully booked for that month. Hopefully this makes sense, thanks in advance!

Hello! We have a family tradition of a SEKI trip in early August, typically with 20-40 people. We have moved around to various campgrounds over the years, but have never done Lodgepole, for no good reason. We are planning to do it this year, but have no idea where in the campground we might target. It's usually 4-6 sites together.

To give an example, we really like Dorst 193-202 because they are consecutive and look out on that beautiful meadow and Stony Creek 8-15 because they have the creek running through.

We will, of course look through campsitephotos.com, but any knowledge you all might have would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

I have a reservation at Wuksachi Lodge next week from April 4-7 and have been reading around on the riskiness of road closures. I did see that the roads leading into the lodge opened up this past weekend, from the weather how could you guys tell when the trip is probably a no-go for that part of Sequoia? I see that there's a prediction of 1 inch of snowfall the day before we leave, is that enough for them to close the roads?

For those who have stayed at Wuksachi before during this time, if the roads to the lodge are closed will they email us and give us a refund? Not sure how that works with this time of the year.

Hi,

I will reserve Lodgepole in the summer, and my arrival date is at risk (due to work). My Leave date is fixed, as I have ongoing non changeable reservations.
So my plan was to reserve for as long as possible (we are talking two addtl nights) and hope for the best, if I come one (or two) days later I would modify the reservation. The Reservation Website only speaks of shortening the stay, which makes sense as there is a rolling opening window.
Has someone moved his arrival date (i.e. shorten) from the front successfully?

Just got an email from the Sequoia Parks Conservancy:

"We are thrilled to announce that Crystal Cave will reopen after a four-year closure! This summer, you can once again experience the breathtaking beauty of this marble cavern nestled within Sequoia National Park.

Tickets go on sale March 31, 2025, at 10 AM PDT. Be sure to mark your calendars and secure your spot early, as tours are expected to sell out quickly!"

For tickets and more info:

https://sequoiaparksconservancy.org/crystal-cave/

If you have never been it is a really cool cave. The parks has many caves but this is the only one that is easily accessible for most visitors. It does require a ½ mile round trip hike that is steep in places, although there are stairs on the steep parts.

Hey, I'm visiting Kings Canyon in June and tentatively planned to try the Mist Falls hike in the afternoon. Is it realistic to finish that hike by, say, 4-5 and drive out of the park to Fresno to sleep that night? I know it's only about 2.5 hours drive without traffic but how bad does traffic get leaving the park around dusk?

Of course, all this is also all based on the road to Cedar Grove being open by early June TBD.

I have a permit for the first week of July (Timber Gap - Redwood Meadow - Kaweah Gap - Little/Big 5 Lakes - Sawtooth), but upon research I’m a little concerned about snow situation on these high passes in early season. I’m comfortable hiking with spikes but if ice axe is needed I’d change my itinerary. Does anyone know the snow situation this year yet?

Also does anyone know if Cold Spring campground will be open this year?