Hiking the Sugar Pine Trail in Sequoia National Park
Distance (One Way): 1.5 miles / 2.4 km
The Sugar Pine Trail, named after the Sugar Pine trees that can drop cones ranging anywhere from 12 - 24 inches (0.3 - 0.6 meters) on average, is an adventure not often experienced by most who visit Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park.
This is because the Sugar Pine Trail isn’t known for its many Sequoia trees or panoramic views. Rather, it’s typically treated as a connector hike between Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow, given that most visitors hike the Sugar Pine Trail to create longer loops in Giant Forest, with the option of riding the free Sequoia shuttle back to the starting trailhead.
Nevertheless, the Sugar Pine Trail is a great, uncrowded Giant Forest adventure—especially for those interested in seeing Bobcat Point, a panoramic viewpoint above the Middle Fork Canyon that few go out of their way to see!
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!
Sugar Pine Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Sugar Pine Trail is located at either the Moro Rock Trailhead or Crescent Meadow, the two trail termini.
That being said, the Moro Rock Trailhead is typically much more difficult to find parking, being that Moro Rock is one of the most popular day hikes in Giant Forest.
Therefore, it may be easiest to park up the road at the Hanging Rock Trailhead or start at Crescent Meadow to avoid an unnecessary walk to the start of the hike.
Google Maps Directions: SP Trailhead (Moro Rock) / SP 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 Sugar Pine Trail
On this day, I chose to hike the Sugar Pine Trail from west to east, beginning at the joint Sugar Pine-Moro Rock Trailhead.
To the left of the most popular trailhead up Moro Rock, the Sugar Pine Trail begins descending downhill, as it leaves one of the busiest areas in Sequoia National Park behind.
Upon beginning the hike from Moro Rock, the Sugar Pine Trail traverses the steep slopes of the Middle Fork Canyon, offering views that extend far up into the high Sierras on a clear day!
At roughly 0.3 miles (0.5 km), the Sugar Pine Trail passes through the largest Sequoia grove on the entire hike—most of which is located slightly off the trail and unseen by almost all that visit Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park.
After the hidden grove, the Sugar Pine Trail simply traverses in and out of several small drainages as it nears the junction with Bobcat Point.
For exposed trails like this, and many others throughout Sequoia and Kings Canyon, I could not recommend hiking in a hooded sun shirt more in order to stay safe at these upper elevations.
Sugar Pine-Bobcat Point Junction
After roughly 1.0 miles (1.6 km), the Sugar Pine Trail reaches the junction for Bobcat Point.
Here, go left to continue on the Sugar Pine Trail, which is the fastest route to Crescent Meadow, about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) away.
Alternatively, the hike out to the two main viewpoints along the Bobcat Point Trail is absolutely worth going out of the way for, especially if you’re hiking late in the day during golden hour!
Depending on the time of year and time of day you visit, these low-lying areas can be particularly buggy, much like the Long Meadow Trail just north of here.
For this reason, I highly recommend carrying this cheap bug net with you, as it can make an adventure like the Sugar Pine Trail that much more comfortable when the mosquitoes are at their worst!
Crescent Meadow
The end of the Sugar Pine Trail is also the beginning of the world-renowned High Sierra Trail, which extends from here to the Mineral King Loop and on to the summit of Mt. Whitney in Lone Pine, in the eastern Sierra.
On top of this, other amazing day hikes include the Crescent Meadow Loop, the Log Meadow Loop to Tharp’s Log, and the Trail of the Sequoias—all of which branch out from this one trailhead in Giant Forest.
With that in mind, visitors hiking west to east, as I did, have the option to continue hiking further or take the free Sequoia shuttle back to Moro Rock.
To learn more about all of these different trails, I encourage you to check out my separate articles linked below.
Read My Separate Posts: Crescent Meadow Loop / Tharp’s Log / Trail of the Sequoias
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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