Hiking the Big Baldy Trail in Kings Canyon National Park
Distance (Roundtrip): 4.6 miles / 7.4 km
The Big Baldy Trail, also known as the Big Baldy Ridge Trail, is a favorite in Kings Canyon National Park because of its mild elevation gain and beautiful panoramic views from the summit!
That being said, watching the sunset on Big Baldy Peak is a personal favorite of mine, but that’s not without saying that it is on the longer end to be considered a sunset hike, much like the Hotel Creek Trail in Cedar Grove. Nevertheless, this inevitably means that sunset from the summit is almost always uncrowded, as the neighboring Buena Vista Trail is much more popular late in the day because of the difference in distance between the two.
With that in mind, I still highly recommend hiking Big Baldy for sunset. However, I strongly encourage this only for experienced hikers with good navigational skills, as a longer adventure in the dark, like Big Baldy, may not be for everyone.
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!
Big Baldy Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Big Baldy Trail is located in a turnout directly off Generals Highway, adjacent to the trailhead.
Here, hikers should exercise caution along the highway, as drivers tend to pass by quickly because the trailhead is hard to see from the turns in either direction.
Google Maps Directions: Big Baldy Trailhead
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 Big Baldy Trail
Unlike the Little Baldy Trail in Sequoia National Park, the Big Baldy Trail is much easier in comparison.
By this, I mean that the Little Baldy Trail gains more elevation over a shorter distance, whereas the Big Baldy Trail climbs much more gradual slopes over a slightly longer distance.
To put the statement above into context, the Big Baldy Trail climbs about 625 ft. (191 m) over the course of 2.3 miles (3.7 km), while the Little Baldy Trail, the sister hike to the south, climbs about 700 ft. (213 m) in 1.7 miles (2.7 km).
In my experience, this difference in difficulty is noticeable between the two trails.
After the initial ascent, the Big Baldy Trail becomes a bit easier as it passes through much flatter sections with more mild elevation changes.
This is where Big Baldy Peak becomes visible for the first time on the trail.
On account of the high elevation and open areas throughout the Big Baldy Trail, I highly recommend wearing a hooded sun shirt to stay safe.
That being said, I personally find hooded sun shirts to be most useful over a multi-day visit in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, as almost all of the best things to do involve some amount of hiking.
Just prior to the final ascent, the Big Baldy Trail descends slightly before it begins climbing to the top.
This is the low point below the Big Baldy Summit, where the trail begins a continuous ascent from here to the end, gaining only about 390 ft. (119 m) in the last 0.8 miles (1.3 km).
Big Baldy-Montecito Junction
With about 0.4 miles (0.6 km) left, the Big Baldy Trail reaches the one and only junction on the entire hike.
This is where the Big Baldy Trail branches to meet Big Baldy Spur Road below, which connects Generals Highway to the telecommunication tower that can be seen from the summit.
That being said, Big Baldy Spur Road is another route up Big Baldy Peak from the Montecito Sequoia Lodge, but there is more elevation to gain if you choose to begin from this trailhead.
In any case, go straight (right) at the junction to continue up to Big Baldy Peak.
Big Baldy Peak
According to the National Park Service, the summit of Big Baldy in Sequoia National Park is 8,209 ft. (2,502 m).
In any case, don’t forget to pack a good headlamp if you plan on hiking Big Baldy for sunset, as the trees through the lower forest can make the trail much darker compared to the more exposed areas along the ridge.
Hiking Further
It may or may not be obvious, but the trail doesn’t end at Big Baldy Peak; rather, it continues for about another 0.8 miles (1.3 km) to the far southern end of the ridgeline.
However, I personally don’t recommend hiking past the summit because it’s simply not worth the effort.
The best views are from the top of Big Baldy Peak, which are especially beautiful at sunset!
There’s nothing quite like Chipotle and beer to go along with a sunset in Kings Canyon!
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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