Hiking the Big Stump Loop Trail in Kings Canyon National Park
Distance: 2.2 miles / 3.5 km
The Big Stump Trail, more commonly known as the Big Stump Loop Trail, is one of my top recommendations when visiting the Grant Grove District in Kings Canyon National Park!
I say this because the Big Stump Trail is, without a doubt, the best trail to see and learn about just how close Sequoia trees were to being lost to the logging industry, much like the Redwoods in the northwestern part of the state.
That being said, there are a handful of different optional routes that one can take on the Big Stump Loop Trail, which is why the distance above is a bit longer than in other sources, such as AllTrails and others, as this includes the longest route around Big Stump Meadow and the side trail up to the Sawed Tree near the end.
Big Stump Loop Trailhead Parking
The Big Stump Loop Trail can begin at either of two different trailheads.
First, there is the main trailhead, beginning from the Big Stump Picnic Area. Alternatively, there is the optional and lesser-known trailhead near the Kings Canyon entrance station, where the trail crosses over Highway 180.
With that in mind, I don’t feel that it makes too much of a difference where you choose to begin the loop, except that the Highway 180 trailhead is the closest parking area to the Mark Twain Stump if that’s all you’re interested in seeing.
Google Maps Directions: Big Stump Loop 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.
Hiking the Big Stump Loop Trail
Beginning from the Big Stump Picnic Area, the loop begins behind the restroom.
Initially, the trail descends about 130 ft. (40 m) from the picnic area to the Big Stump Meadow, which is the most significant elevation change on the entire hike, outside of the optional Sawed Tree Trail.
At this first unnamed stump, the trail continues toward the meadow on the far side.
This split is nothing more than a short out-and-back trail to another, unnamed stump shown in the photo below.
With that in mind, the main Big Stump Loop continues to the left.
West Big Stump Meadow-Shattered Giant Junction
Shortly after the split above, the Big Stump Loop Trail comes to another junction.
Here, the trail to the left loops around the Big Stump Meadow, and the shorter Shattered Giant Trail that bypasses the meadow goes to the right.
Personally, I recommend going left around the meadow, but that’s not to say there aren’t more Sequoia stumps to see on the bypass, a few of which are shown below.
Big Stump Meadow Trail
Since I enjoy hiking around the meadow more than the bypass, this is the direction shown here, adding only about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) to the overall hike compared to the Shattered Giant Trail.
Even though it may appear that the Big Stump Loop cuts across the meadow, the trail to the right is nothing more than a social trail, meaning a trail created by hikers over time.
However, the true Big Stump Loop Trail around the meadow continues to the left.
Aside from the many stumps along the loop, this hollowed-out Sequoia was one of the most unique features on the entire trail.
Feather Bed Junction
This split to the left is an optional 0.1-mile (0.2 km) loop that leads to a historic trench, known as a 'Feather Bed.'
In short, a Feather Bed is a trench dug by loggers and then filled with sticks in order to cushion the fall of a Sequoia when it came down. This was done to prevent the tree from shattering on impact.
In any case, you can click the link below to skip ahead to the end to see this short loop, or continue reading, as I chose to go right on the much more common trail toward the Mark Twain Stump.
Skip Ahead: Feather Bed Trail
East Big Stump Meadow-Shattered Giant Junction
After going right at the Feather Bed junction, the Big Stump Meadow Trail meets back up with the Shattered Giant Trail that bypassed the meadow.
Here, go left to continue on the Big Stump Loop toward the Mark Twain Stump.
Second Feather Bed Junction
This next split is where the short 0.1-mile (0.2 km) Feather Bed Loop meets back up with the main trail.
That being said, go right at this split, and the Mark Twain Stump will be found about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) away.
Mark Twain Stump
The Mark Twain Stump is the most iconic of any on the Big Stump Loop Trail.
This is because this specific Giant Sequoia was chosen to provide a cross-section for the American Natural History Museum in New York City.
Yes, this Giant Sequoia died simply so that people on the East Coast in the late 1800s could marvel at a tree growing to this size!
Nevertheless, the Mark Twain Stump today is one of the easiest to reach, as the alternate Highway 180 trailhead is only a short distance away.
On a different note, I highly recommend hiking in a hooded sun shirt to stay safe on these exposed upper-elevation trails, like the Big Stump Trail.
Big Stump Loop Trailhead (Highway 180)
After the Mark Twain Stump, the Big Stump Trail climbs up to Highway 180 near the Kings Canyon entrance station, beginning the north side of the loop back to the picnic area.
This is also where hikers have the option of parking, which is obviously the most convenient trailhead for hiking the short out-and-back trail to the Mark Twain Stump if that’s all you’re interested in seeing.
Once on the far side of the highway, the Big Stump Loop climbs slowly, as it regains the elevation lost in the beginning sections.
Big Stump Loop-Sawed Tree Junction
After roughly 0.25 miles (0.4 km) since crossing the highway, the Big Stump Loop comes to a short side trail that leads to the Sawed Tree.
Sawed Tree Trail
This is the short out-and-back trail that leads to the Sawed Tree, located about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) away from the main trail.
Sawed Tree
The Sawed Tree is a uniquely different Giant Sequoia that narrowly survived the logging industry of the late 1800s.
Today, visitors can still see the deep scars from this era. However, the Sawed Tree is reportedly a healthy Sequoia, despite its troubled past!
Big Stump Loop-Sawed Tree Junction
Once back on the Big Stump Trail, go right to finish the remaining 0.5 miles (0.8 km) back to the picnic area.
Just before the Big Stump Loop returns to the beginning, the trail passes through this unique tunnel directly under the highway!
Big Stump Loop-Hitchcock Meadows Junction
On the far side of the tunnel, go left to finish the Big Stump Loop Trail.
Big Stump Picnic Area
Overall, the Big Stump Loop Trail is a fairly easy and beautiful Kings Canyon day hike, and it’s one that I recommend checking out after the General Grant Tree if you have the option to arrive first thing in the morning.
I say this because the General Grant Tree is the busiest day hike in Kings Canyon National Park, which is why it’s nice to hike it first, saving other adventures like the Big Stump Loop for later in the day, as it will never be as busy in comparison.
Feather Bed Trail
This is the short 0.1-mile (0.2 km) Feather Bed Trail after the Feather Bed junction shown above.
That being said, these photos begin right after the junction and bypass the Big Stump Meadow-Shattered Giant junction that is reached by following the main Big Stump Loop, as previously shown.
Second Feather Bed Junction
In all, the Feathered Bed Trail is nothing more than a short loop around the same stump that can be seen from the main trail, except that the man-made trench from this stump is still fairly noticeable, considering all the years that the overgrowth has had to fill it in.
Skip Back: Feather Bed Junction
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