Hiking the Crescent Meadow Loop Trail in Sequoia National Park
Distance: 1.4 miles / 2.3 km
The Crescent Meadow Loop Trail in Sequoia National Park is one of the best day hikes that begins from the High Sierra Trailhead, and it’s one of my personal favorites when it comes to looking for wildlife within Giant Forest.
This is because less-popular trails, like the Crescent Meadow Trail, are much better for experiencing the wildlife in Giant Forest, as opposed to busier day hikes like the Congress Trail—especially if you hike Crescent Meadow in the late evening hours, as shown here.
In any case, the Crescent Meadow Loop is often paired with the Tharp’s Log Trail to create a return loop out of the simple out-and-back trail to Tharp’s Log. However, I personally recommend hiking the full loop around Crescent Meadow separately, and instead creating a return loop to Tharp’s Log with the Log Meadow Loop Trail.
To learn more, I highly recommend reading more in my separate article about Tharp’s Log using the link below.
Read My Separate Post: Tharp’s Log Trail
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!
Crescent Meadow Loop Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Crescent Meadow Loop Trail is located at the High Sierra Trailhead, at the very end of Crescent Meadow Road, about 2.6 miles (4.2 km) away from the Giant Forest Museum.
That being said, the High Sierra Trailhead is one of the most popular trailheads in Sequoia National Park, as it is used by both day hikers and overnight backpackers traveling as far as Mt. Whitney in the eastern Sierra.
Therefore, parking at the Giant Forest Museum and riding the free Sequoia shuttle during the busy summer travel season may be the easiest option for reaching places like Crescent Meadow.
Google Maps Directions: High Sierra Trailhead (Crescent Meadow)
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 Crescent Meadow Loop Trail
The Crescent Meadow Loop Trail begins at the High Sierra Trailhead and follows the High Sierra Trail for the first 0.2 miles (0.3 km) before it branches off toward the meadow.
Crescent Meadow Loop-High Sierra Junction
This split is where the Crescent Meadow Loop leaves the High Sierra Trail and others, like the Trail of the Sequoias.
That being said, go left to continue on the loop around Crescent Meadow.
Read My Separate Post: Trail of the Sequoias
Crescent Meadow
If you’re someone who is interested in having the opportunity to see bears, deer, and other wildlife in Sequoia National Park, I highly recommend hiking this and other trails similar to Crescent Meadow around the late evening hours, as shown here.
It’s a little-known secret, but this is when wildlife tends to gravitate toward the meadows within Sequoia and Kings Canyon.
Crescent Meadow Loop-Log Meadow Loop Junction
The next split in the Crescent Meadow Loop Trail is the Log Meadow Loop Trail.
This is the trail I recommend returning on after visiting Tharp’s Log, but in any case, go straight (left) to continue on the loop around Crescent Meadow.
Read My Separate Post: Tharp’s Log Trail (Log Meadow Loop)
Crescent Meadow Loop-Tharp’s Log Junction
Next, the Crescent Meadow Loop splits with the popular Tharp’s Log Trail, which is the most visited day hike from the High Sierra Trailhead.
That being said, go left once again to continue on the Crescent Meadow Loop Trail.
Read My Separate Post: Tharp’s Log Trail
Cleveland Tree
After the Tharp’s Log Trail, the Crescent Meadow Loop passes by my favorite Sequoia on the entire trail, the Cleveland Tree.
I can only hope this one continues to stand for many more years instead of falling, like so many Sequoias do that grow around the many meadows within Giant Forest.
Crescent Meadow Loop-Tharp’s Log Connector Junction
Toward the back of the loop (the far northern end), the Crescent Meadow Trail splits three times as it begins the return loop to the High Sierra Trailhead.
That being said, go left at all three junctions to remain on the Crescent Meadow Loop Trail.
Read My Separate Post: Tharp’s Log Trail (Log Meadow Loop)
Crescent Meadow Loop-Washington Tree Junction
This is the second of the three different splits.
Again, go left to continue on the Crescent Meadow Loop.
Crescent Meadow Loop-Huckleberry Junction
Finally, the Crescent Meadow Loop splits for the last time before returning to the beginning.
That being said, the Huckleberry Trail heading right can make for a great 1.3-mile (2.1 km) loop with the Dead Giant Trail along the west side of the Crescent Meadow Loop, which you can learn more about in my separate post.
In any case, go left to finish the remaining 0.4 miles (0.6 km) to the High Sierra Trailhead.
Read My Separate Post: Dead Giant Trail
At this final split, it doesn’t matter which direction you choose to take in order to return back to the parking area.
Overall, the Crescent Meadow Loop Trail is a great kid-friendly day hike, and it will always be one of my favorite adventures in Giant Forest, as far fewer visitors tend to hike the loop compared to the adjacent and much more popular Tharp’s Log 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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