Hiking the Park Ridge Trail in Kings Canyon National Park
Distance: 5.2 miles / 8.4 km
The Park Ridge Trail to the Park Ridge Fire Lookout is arguably the easiest and most casual ridge hike in Kings Canyon National Park.
On top of this, the Park Ridge Trail is one that is not often seen in its entirety by most who visit the area.
By this, I mean that most visitors typically only visit the first 0.5-mile (0.8 km) loop up to Panoramic Point and the Park Ridge Overlook, leaving the remaining 2.4 miles (3.9 km) relatively quiet in comparison.
That being said, this all goes without saying that the Park Ridge Fire Lookout at the summit is not open to the public. However, there are numerous unnamed vantage points along Park Ridge before the top that can make for amazing places to catch the sunset—all without having to hike as far back as the Fire Lookout to the trailhead in the dark if sunset was an option you were considering.
To skip ahead to the beginning of the Park Ridge Trail at the upper overlook, 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!
Park Ridge Trailhead Parking
The Park Ridge Trailhead, better known as the Panoramic Point Trailhead, is located at the very top of Panoramic Point Road, about 2.3 miles (3.7 km) up the hill from Grant Grove Village.
That being said, the road past the John Muir Lodge can be a bit windy and narrow, which is why it’s important to take your time, as there are a number of blind turns to look out for.
Google Maps Directions: Panoramic Point 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 Park Ridge Trail
The Park Ridge Trail begins on the paved Panoramic Point Loop, following a paved path to the upper overlook where the Park Ridge Trail splits away.
Panoramic Point Loop Trail
After 0.1 miles (0.2 km), the Panoramic Point Trail splits into a loop that leads to both overlooks along the upper trail.
That being said, the fastest route to the start of Park Ridge is to the right.
However, if you are interested in seeing both Panoramic Point and the Park Ridge Overlook, go left to follow the route that passes by both.
Personally, I chose to go right, which, as previously mentioned, is the most direct route to the beginning of the Park Ridge Trail, starting at the Park Ridge Overlook.
Panoramic Point-Park Ridge Junction
Just before the Panoramic Point Loop reaches the top, the trail splits, with one route leading to the Park Ridge Overlook and the beginning of the ridge trail, as well as the return loop that leads down to Panoramic Point.
That being said, go right toward the Park Ridge Overlook to find where the true ridge trail begins.
Read My Separate Post: Panoramic Point Trail
Park Ridge Overlook
The Park Ridge Overlook is the uppermost viewpoint on the Panoramic Point Trail, which is also where it leaves behind the paved path and begins the 2.4-mile (3.9 km) hike up Park Ridge to the fire lookout at the summit.
Park Ridge
After the Panoramic Point Trail, the Park Ridge Trail simply traverses the ridgeline up and down a number of hills along the Kings Canyon park boundary.
Even though photos like this may lead you to believe that the Park Ridge Trail gradually climbs to the summit, the net elevation gain is essentially negligible, as the beginning of the Park Ridge Trail and the Park Ridge Fire Lookout are more or less the same.
I can honestly say that I was very happy to be wearing one of my hooded sun shirts, as it helped me stay safe from the upper-elevation exposure on the trail.
This beautiful California wildflower is known as Leafy Fleabane, and it’s a common California native that can be found throughout Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and much of western North America.
In my opinion, open areas like this are much better for catching the sunset on Park Ridge compared to the fire lookout at the end.
That being said, be sure to come to Kings Canyon with a quality headlamp for this and other amazing sunset hikes, such as the nearby Buena Vista Trail.
At numerous points along Park Ridge, the trail begins a gradual descent down to the Fire Road, which is one of the main reasons there is no net elevation gain on the Park Ridge Trail.
Park Ridge Fire Road
After about 1.6 miles (2.6 km), the Park Ridge Trail meets the Park Ridge Fire Road for the first of two separate times on the hike.
That being said, the trail simply follows the Fire Road for less than 0.1 miles (0.2 km) before branching away again to regain the ridge on the right-hand side.
This is where the Park Ridge Trail splits away from the Fire Road on the right-hand side.
Park Ridge-Azalea Junction
The continuation of the Park Ridge Trail is also where the Azalea Trail begins, which is more commonly hiked as a 4.3-mile (6.9 km) loop with the South Boundary and Manzanita Trails in Wilsonia below.
In any case, go left up the ridge to continue to the Park Ridge Fire Lookout, located about 0.8 miles (1.3 km) away.
Upon beginning this final stretch up Park Ridge, I entered an area that had recently undergone a controlled burn.
It was interesting, to say the least, how the trail was the boundary between what did and did not burn.
Park Ridge Fire Road
When the Park Ridge Trail meets the Fire Road for the second time, the trail ends, and the remaining 0.2 miles (0.3 km) simply follow the dirt road up to the top.
Park Ridge Fire Lookout
The end of the Park Ridge Trail is the Park Ridge Fire Lookout, with an elevation of about 7,540 ft. (2,298 m).
To put this into context, this is only about 10 ft. (3 m) higher than the Park Ridge Overlook, where the trail began about 2.4 miles (3.9 km) away.
Nevertheless, the Park Ridge Fire Lookout can be a great and relatively easy hike to see what a staffed fire lookout looks like, but this inevitably means that the fire lookout is not open to the public.
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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