Hiking the Moro Rock Trail in Sequoia National Park
Distance (One Way): 0.3 - 2.1 miles / 0.5 - 3.4 km
The Moro Rock Trail is one of the most iconic and popular trails across both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, as it is not only one of a few locations within Giant Forest to see panoramic views of the High Sierras, but it is also one of the best hikes in Sequoia National Park to catch the sunset on a clear evening!
That being said, most visitors aren’t aware that the Moro Rock Trail is not just the short 0.3-mile (0.5 km) section up Moro Rock that begins at the shuttle stop, but rather, the full Moro Rock Trail begins at the Giant Forest Museum at the beginning of Crescent Meadow Road.
With that in mind, I began this hike from the Giant Forest Museum in order to hike the entire trail. However, if you’re most interested in the final ascent up Moro Rock that begins at the Moro Rock Shuttle Stop, I encourage you to skip ahead using the link below, which hopefully helps explain why the distance listed above is so variable.
To skip ahead to the trailhead at the Moro Rock Shuttle Stop, click here.
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!
Moro Rock Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Moro Rock Trailhead is located at either the Giant Forest Museum or at the base of Moro Rock, depending on how much of the trail you prefer to hike.
That being said, the closest parking, adjacent to the Moro Rock Shuttle Stop, is one of the most difficult trailheads to park at during the busiest hours of the day in the summer. This means that it may be easiest to park at the Hanging Rock Trailhead, just up the road, and walk the short 0.2 miles (0.3 km) down Moro Rock Loop Road to get to the start of the hike.
Google Maps Directions: Moro Rock Trailhead (Museum) / Moro Rock Shuttle Stop
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 Moro Rock Trail
As previously mentioned, the Moro Rock Trailhead can begin from either the Giant Forest Museum or the Moro Rock Shuttle Stop.
However, this article is about the entire trail beginning from the museum.
Within almost no time, the Moro Rock Trail begins to pass through areas that burned in the 2021 KNP Complex Fire.
However, these exposed areas don’t continue throughout the hike, as the trail transitions back into a more typical-looking Sequoia forest, as shown below.
This is where the Moro Rock Trail makes a hard transition from what was burned in the 2021 fire, and what wasn’t.
The difference really is night and day when walking through this stretch.
As the Moro Rock Trail begins to parallel Crescent Meadow Road again, the least-trafficked section from the Giant Forest Museum to the Bear Hill Trail begins to come to an end.
Moro Rock-Bear Hill Junction
After about 1.3 miles (2.1 km), the Moro Rock Trail meets the Bear Hill junction at Crescent Meadow Road, with the Hanging Rock Trail located just a short distance away.
That being said, go right to continue on the Moro Rock Trail toward Hanging Rock.
Read My Separate Post: Bear Hill Trail
Moro Rock-Hanging Rock Junction
This is the Hanging Rock Trailhead, which you can learn more about in my separate article.
On a different note, I personally recommend the Hanging Rock Trail over Moro Rock when it comes to watching the sunset in the Giant Forest District of Sequoia National Park, due largely to the fact that Hanging Rock attracts far fewer visitors.
Read My Separate Post: Hanging Rock Trail
Following the Hanging Rock Trailhead, the Moro Rock Trail continues on the far side of Moro Rock Loop Road for another 0.25 miles (0.4 km).
Moro Rock-Soldiers Junction
This is where the Soldiers Trail, which leads toward the Hazelwood Loop, splits away from the Moro Rock Trail.
At this junction, go right to continue down to the most popular Moro Rock Trailhead.
Soldiers Trailhead
Finally, after 1.8 miles (2.9 km), the Moro Rock Trail reaches its most popular and busiest stretch of the entire hike: the Moro Rock Shuttle Stop.
Moro Rock Shuttle Stop
This is the Moro Rock Trailhead, located at the Moro Rock Shuttle Stop, which also serves as a joint trailhead with the Sugar Pine Trail.
In any case, this final 0.3-mile (0.5 km) stretch is the most iconic part of the entire trail, which inevitably makes it the most popular stretch of anything shown thus far.
With that in mind, it’s important to be patient on the climb up Moro Rock, given that many sections are narrow and can get congested, as they are truly only suitable for one-way traffic.
Read My Separate Post: Sugar Pine Trail
Once past the shuttle stop, the Moro Rock Trail begins climbing a series of steps built into the granite rock, ascending roughly 250 ft. (76.2 m) in just 0.3 miles (0.5 km) from the shuttle stop shown above to the top!
This overlook right in the middle of Moro Rock can make for a nice place to take a break.
A number of these final sections can be among the most narrow and congested on the entire Moro Rock Trail.
Warning
Afternoon thunderstorms in high Mountain West areas, such as this, are a serious concern during the summer monsoon season.
Even if the weather forecast doesn’t predict any storms, I can tell you from personal experience that they may show up out of nowhere and can put you and your entire group in a very dangerous situation.
I say this to emphasize the importance of turning around at the first sign of lightning, thunder, or even heavy cloud buildup. However, if you ever get caught in a storm unsuspectingly, follow the steps linked below to reduce the risk of getting struck.
U.S. Forest Service: Lightning Safety Tips
Moro Rock
From the summit of Moro Rock, at about 6,725 ft. (2,050 m), the views to the east of the High Sierras are second to none!
In fact, the summit of Mt. Whitney is visible from Moro Rock, but you need to know exactly where to look and what to look for in order to distinguish it from the other surrounding summits.
Paired with this, the views to the west can be among the best in all of Giant Forest for watching the sunset on a clear night. However, if you’re someone interested in a much quieter place away from the crowds on Moro Rock, I highly recommend the Hanging Rock Trail just up the road.
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!
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