Hiking the Bear Hill Trail in Sequoia National Park
Distance (One Way via Giant Forest Museum): 1.7 miles / 2.7 km
The Bear Hill Trail in Sequoia National Park is one of many alternative day hikes that visitors in Giant Forest typically use to create any number of loops throughout the Giant Sequoias.
That being said, the Bear Hill Trail can also be an alternative option to hike to Moro Rock from the Giant Forest Museum—an option that so few visitors tend to explore in comparison.
At any rate, I think the Bear Hill Trail makes for a great day hike if it isn’t your first time visiting Sequoia National Park. I say this because there are many other day hikes where the Giant Sequoias grow in much more pronounced clusters, but if you’re the type of visitor that prefers to escape the majority of crowds in the busier parts of a National Park, then the Bear Hill Trail may be the perfect choice for you—especially if you’re interested in seeing wildlife as you hike!
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
Bear Hill Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Bear Hill Trail is located either at the Giant Forest Museum or at the trailhead parking for Hanging Rock, the far southern end of the Bear Hill Trail.
Considering these options, know that the Giant Forest Museum is one of the most popular trailheads in Sequoia National Park, meaning that it may be easiest to find parking elsewhere and ride the free Sequoia shuttle to the museum to begin the Bear Hill Trail.
Google Maps Directions: Bear Hill Trailhead (Giant Forest Museum)
Hiking Checklist - Sequoia-Kings Canyon
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.
That being said, bear spray is purposefully excluded from this list because, while the Sierra Nevadas are home to a large black bear population, bear spray is not allowed in either Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Park.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Bear Hill Trail
Since the most common parking area for the Bear Hill Trail is located at the Giant Forest Museum, the route shown below begins here, about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) away from the start of the trail.
Big Trees-Sunset Rock Junction
Following the Giant Forest Museum, go right toward the Big Trees Trail, and the split for the Bear Hill Trail will be found shortly ahead.
On a different note, the trail to the left leads to Sunset Rock, which, for obvious reasons, I highly recommend considering during the late evening hike, as the views down the Marble Fork of the Kaweah are truly second to none at sunset!
Read My Separate Post: Sunset Rock Trail
Bear Hill-Big Trees Junction
About halfway between the Giant Forest Museum and the start of the Big Trees Loop, the Bear Hill Trail branches off from the paved trail.
At this split, go right to begin the Bear Hill Trail. However, if you’re interested in hiking the Big Trees Trail and the Hazelwood Loop located shortly ahead, I recommend checking out my separate articles linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Big Trees Trail / Hazelwood Nature Loop Trail
Bear Hill Trail
Hence the name, the Bear Hill Trail immediately begins climbing after the split, and this continues for the first 0.6 miles (1.0 km) until the trail passes by the summit.
That being said, the Giant Forest Museum Trailhead to Hanging Rock is still the route I recommend hiking Bear Hill, because after this quick ascent, the rest of the trail follows a nice, easy descent for the majority of the hike down to Crescent Road.
When the Bear Hill Trail begins to curve to the right, the top of the hill will be found shortly ahead.
Bear Hill-Old Bear Hill Road Junction
This is the first of two times that Old Bear Hill Road meets the Bear Hill Trail.
At this split, simply go straight toward the second junction shortly ahead.
Bear Hill
This is where the trail passes by the summit of Bear Hill on the left-hand side.
From here, the remaining distance down to Hanging Rock is almost entirely downhill.
Second Bear Hill-Old Bear Hill Road Junction
Immediately after the Bear Hill Summit, the Bear Hill Trail/ Old Bear Hill Road splits once again.
Here, go left to continue on the Bear Hill Trail toward the Charles Young Tree.
Bear Hill-Auto Log Junction (Colonel Young Tree)
Finally, the last split in the Bear Hill Trail is where the hike meets the Charles Young Tree and the trail that descends down to the Auto Log, about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) down toward Crescent Road.
That being said, hiking down to the Auto Log via Bear Hill is one of the easier ways to visit this fallen Giant Sequoia, as parking in the small lot next to the log can be challenging during the day, especially during the peak summer travel season!
In any case, go left to remain on the Bear Hill Trail to Crescent Road and the Hanging Rock Trail just beyond.
After the Charles Young Tree, there is roughly another 0.5 miles (0.8 km) left to reach Crescent Road.
Crescent Meadow Road
The end of the Bear Hill Trail is where the trail crosses over Crescent Meadow Road to meet the Moro Rock, Hanging Rock, and Sugar Pine Trails, located just down Moro Rock Loop Road from this junction.
That being said, hikers can also choose to walk the road down to the Moro Rock Shuttle Stop and ride the free Sequoia shuttle back to the Giant Forest Museum for a much easier one-way adventure!
Read My Separate Post: Moro Rock Trail / Hanging Rock Trail / Sugar Pine Trail
More Sequoia-Kings Canyon Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Sequoia National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
Most importantly, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park is bear country, and while hiking in black bear territory generally presents less of a risk as opposed to hiking with grizzlies, it‘s important to never get complacent.
That being said, bear spray is not allowed within either Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Park, but storing your food properly, both on your person and in your vehicle, is not only necessary but required. For this reason, always keep your food and trash with you, and follow these basic rules from the NPS with regards to food in your vehicle.
On a different note, there is one venomous snake found in both parks known as the Western Rattlesnake, and surprisingly, I have encountered it many times, both in dry landscapes and in the meadows of both parks.
Finally, during winter months, you may be required to carry tire chains or have them on your vehicle before entering either park. In addition, micro-spikes may be necessary to stay safe on certain trails, such as Little Baldy and many others during the early and late summer season.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park website.
National Park Service: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
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