Hiking the Dead Giant Trail in Sequoia National Park
Distance (One Way): 0.4 miles / 0.6 km
The Dead Giant Trail in Sequoia National Park is one of the park’s best-kept secrets, and it’s not for reasons that are inherently obvious.
I say this because the Dead Giant Trailhead begins off Crescent Meadow Road, which includes very popular destinations such as Moro Rock, Hanging Rock, Tunnel Log, and Crescent Meadow, to name a few.
That being said, the Dead Giant Trail is often missed by most who drive or take the free Sequoia shuttle, as the trailhead off Crescent Meadow Road is one of the easiest to miss, and the trail is not very convenient to get to from other nearby day hikes.
In any case, I highly recommend visiting the quick and easy Dead Giant Trail, as the hike takes very little time and effort to enjoy, and it’s the easiest route to get to the old Squatter’s Cabin, located where the Dead Giant Trail meets the Huckleberry Trail at the end.
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!
Dead Giant Trailhead Parking
As previously mentioned, finding the Dead Giant Trailhead can be fairly obscure, which also means that parking for the Dead Giant Trailhead is not in a very obvious location off Crescent Meadow Road.
That being said, parking for the Dead Giant Trail can be found in one of a few small turnouts off Crescent Meadow Road, about 0.3 miles (0.5 km) away from the High Sierra Trailhead in Crescent Meadow.
Google Maps Directions: Dead Giant 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 Dead Giant Trail
In my experience, the Dead Giant Trail begins at this unmarked trailhead off Crescent Meadow Road.
However, the trailhead may only be temporarily unmarked because of the damage from the 2021 KNP Complex Fire.
Almost immediately after the trailhead, the Dead Giant Trail becomes much more distinct, as this is a trail maintained by the National Park Service, regardless of the obscure trailhead.
Dead Giant
After just 0.2 miles (0.3 km) from Crescent Meadow Road, the trail reaches the 'Dead Giant,' a giant sequoia that fell victim to wildfire many years ago.
That being said, even dead sequoias still play an essential role in these ecosystems, most notably as a habitat and shelter for animals such as squirrels, woodpeckers, and owls, among many other less obvious ecosystem benefits.
After the Dead Giant, I recommend continuing for just another 0.2 miles (0.3 km) to reach the Squatter’s Cabin at the end of the trail.
Squatter’s Cabin (Dead Giant-Huckleberry Junction)
The end of the Dead Giant Trail is the Squatter’s Cabin, located just 0.4 miles (0.6 km) away from the trailhead off Crescent Meadow Road.
With that in mind, this T-intersection is likely the end of the adventure for most hikers interested in hiking back to the road in order to park elsewhere, like Crescent Meadow. However, one of the best things about Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park is the free shuttle, which allows you to continue one way in either direction without having to consider the return hike.
That being said, the Huckleberry Trail to the west leads toward the larger complex of trails near the Giant Forest Museum, and the Huckleberry Trail heading east leads out to Crescent Meadow and the High Sierra Trailhead.
Furthermore, a short loop could easily be created by hiking east toward Crescent Meadow, as it is only a 0.3-mile (0.5 km) walk back on the road to return to the Dead Giant Trailhead, creating a roughly 1.3-mile (2.1 km) loop along the west side of the Crescent Meadow Loop Trail.
Read My Separate Post: Crescent Meadow Loop 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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