Hiking the Little Baldy Trail in Sequoia National Park
Distance: 3.4 miles / 5.5 km
The Little Baldy Trail is the best all-around sunrise and sunset hike in Sequoia National Park!
I say this because the summit rises to just over 8,000 ft (2,438 m), high above the surrounding landscape, with expansive views of the high Sierras to the east and amazing views across central California to the west.
That being said, the Little Baldy Trail is truly the sister hike of Big Baldy, a similar but completely separate hike located just a few miles north off Generals Highway in Kings Canyon National Park. However, the west-facing views from the summit of Big Baldy Peak are much better at sunset, as opposed to sunrise, making the Little Baldy Trail the better all-around day hike, regardless of the time of day you plan to visit!
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!
Little Baldy Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Little Baldy Trailhead is located directly off Generals Highway, about 6.7 miles (10.8 km) up the road from the Lodgepole Visitor Center.
With that in mind, the Little Baldy Trailhead can, unfortunately, be one of the more dangerous trailheads as traffic passes by, which is why it’s important to be mindful of yourself and others in your party when starting or ending the hike.
Google Maps Directions: Little 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 Little Baldy Trail
The Little Baldy Trail begins on the east side of Generals Highway, adjacent to the road.
Following the highway, the Little Baldy Trail begins climbing almost immediately, ascending roughly 700 ft. (213 m) from the trailhead to the summit.
That being said, the Little Baldy Trail is all about the three main switchbacks that climb up the side of the mountain, excluding the initial quick switchbacks shown below that immediately follow the trailhead.
This is the first longer stretch that ascends up Little Baldy toward the first switchback.
After about 0.5 miles (0.8 km), the Little Baldy Trail reaches the first of the three major switchbacks that climb the mountain.
On a different note, it’s important to mention that I have hiked the Little Baldy Trail in both the early and late summer travel season, and from experience, micro-spikes were a necessity during my visit to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks when the winter snowpack was lingering around trails like Little Baldy in mid-June.
This is the second of the three main switchbacks, which also climbs the shortest distance before the trail turns back around toward the summit of Little Baldy.
Then, the Little Baldy Trail reaches the third and final switchback, with only about 200 ft. (61 m) of elevation to gain in order to reach the summit.
These flatter sections before the summit are a nice break from the constant elevation gain at the beginning, but in my experience, they can also be some of the snowiest parts if you’re hiking Little Baldy during the early summer season.
This is where the final ascent to the summit of Little Baldy begins, with only about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) remaining.
Little Baldy
According to the National Park Service, the summit of Little Baldy in Sequoia National Park is 8,044 ft. (2,452 m).
In any case, don’t forget to pack a good headlamp if you plan on hiking Little Baldy for sunrise or sunset, as the slopes through the lower forest can make the trail much darker compared to the areas toward the top of the hike.
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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