1. Lakes Trail To Watchtower

    1. Lakes Trail To Watchtower

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    CA, CA

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    Lakes Trail To Watchtower

    5.0 (2 reviews)

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    Crystal Cave - Second inside room

    Crystal Cave

    4.3(86 reviews)
    6.8 mi

    We made reservations to see the crystal cave and arrived early. They were able to move up our time…read morewhich was really nice since there's not much to do around there. Once it was time to hike down they made some general announcements and we met the guide at entrance of the cave. It was nice to have someone tell us the history of the cave and guide us through. The 20 minute hike down and up wasn't too bad and was completely doable for my 6 year old son. Overall, it was a unique experience and I'm glad we made the stop during our Sequoia trip!

    Crystal Cave was closed for 4 years for renovations and reopened last season. We made reservations…read morefor this year as soon as they opened the roster. My boyfriend is very interested in exploring different caves & caverns and I thought this would be a fun weekend getaway for us. There is a long trail down to the mouth of the cave, the decent is not too bad, but it is quite a trek back up. The trail is about half a mile to the cave opening and half a mile back up. When you check in for your tour (tickets are not sold at the cave and must be purchased in advance) they go over some safety information and tour information. The staff has you cleanse the soles of your shoes prior to heading down to the cave to help prevent white nose syndrome to the bats that inhabit the cave. On the trail down there are many beautiful sights including waterfalls. I would recommend stopping at the sights on the way back up when breaks from the steep trail will be needed. The trail back up is not the most difficult we have endured, but it is up there on the list due to the steepness of the path. There is a large area at the mouth of the cave for the tour group to gather with the guide who is waiting at the gate for you. No items besides cameras and plastic water bottles are permitted within the cave and must be left outside the gate during your 50 minute cave tour. There is a large gate that the guide will unlock and you will walk through to enter the cave. The gate is a huge spiderweb with a large spider in the center, it was really wicked. Crystal Cave has crystal clear water running through it, you could see the marble that is natural there that the water has washed out over the years, as well as many stalagmites & stalactites, cave bacon, cave popcorn and many other interesting formations that have taken hundreds of thousands of years to form. Among the many caverns & caves we have toured this one was very different with the marble and flowing water within. Shirley was our tour guide, and though she was new she was so passionate and knowledgeable about the cave!

    Photos
    Crystal Cave - This one looks like the abominable snowman!

    This one looks like the abominable snowman!

    Crystal Cave
    Crystal Cave

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    General Sherman Tree

    General Sherman Tree

    4.6(139 reviews)
    2.7 mi

    Visited the General Sherman Tree at Sequoia National Park and overall it was a good experience, but…read morethere are definitely a few things to be aware of. The tree itself is truly impressive and worth seeing at least once--it's amazing to stand in front of something that massive and historic. That said, expect large crowds and long lines, especially during peak times. It can take a while just to get close enough for photos. Parking was also a challenge during our visit. Spots fill up quickly, so you may need to circle around or wait. We started from the top parking lot, and while going down is manageable, the hike back up is pretty exhausting, so be prepared for that. One downside was the restroom condition--they were quite dirty and looked like they hadn't been maintained well that day. Also, just a heads-up: not everyone we encountered was friendly, so patience helps in crowded areas. Despite these issues, it was still a memorable visit. Just plan ahead, bring water, and be ready for a bit of a workout.

    If you haven't seen the largest tree(s) on earth, you are missing out, get your hiking boots on…read morecome witness some of the most beautiful trees and landscape to be found. Parking can be a beyotch, especially when the main lot is closed, but stay patient and people are coming and going constantly, but whatever you do... DO NOT PARK on the road itself. Don't do it. You can do small short hikes around the grove or during winter you can strap on some snow shoes, or crampons, based on conditions, and you can get further out into the grove or park itself. I just be prepared for whatever you're planning on doing that will guarantee you have a successful outing

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    General Sherman Tree
    General Sherman Tree
    General Sherman Tree

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    Marble Falls

    Marble Falls

    3.9(9 reviews)
    7.7 mi

    Marble Falls , Sequoia National Park…read more First time I did this 5 years ago it was breathtaking gorgeous. Misty , foggy , a bit dark in lush green rainforest like tropical jungle. Second time was like that also. Third time today (04.10.22) not so rainforests - like due to burns. Really sad. Almost the entire place was affected by the fires. Looked completely different from last two times I did this hike. Nevertheless the water was raging at the falls. Some sketchy areas on the trail due to washouts. Sad to see graffiti on some boulders ( they weren't there 4,5 years ago). Tons of native species like Mariposa Lilies , Ithuriel's Spears, Pink Fairy Lanterns, a few blooming Yuccas , birds eyes gills, popcorn flowers, fiddlenecks, Madia , Chinese Houses , Tritelea, California Goldfields, Brodiaea, baby blue eyes etc. First time I did this 5 years ago and second time 4 years ago , my hiking buddies and I did not see a single other hiker but today tons , too many to count. It's too crowded now. Because of the burns and the crowd , 4 stars otherwise if this was 5 years ago definitely 10 stars.

    Not a difficult hike, and pretty close to the main entrance of Sequoia National Park. You have to…read morego through the Potwisha campgrounds and park your car at a small parking lot. You start by following an aqueduct and then at a sign, you turn right and start going up. It is a moderate distance, 3.5 miles to get there. The views are breathtaking and you have a waterfall reward at the end. Which actually may vary if in the dry season. Alternative: If you don't want to hike that long and still want to see a nice amount of water, instead of going left on Powisha Campgrounds, go right and park at this little construction site. Follow a small trail, that will lead you to a bridge. Before you reach the bridge, will see to your left ancient paintings and if you keep an eye on the grounds around the bridge, you will see holes in the granite (mortars) that were made by local tribes to grind nuts. We were advised not to go too far past the bridge because it "gets snaky". We didn't see any rattlesnakes, but kept close to the bridge, which was gorgeous with a swimming hole and a little private beach.

    Photos
    Marble Falls
    Marble Falls
    Marble Falls - Marble Falls Sequoia National Park 04.10.22 Sun

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    Marble Falls Sequoia National Park 04.10.22 Sun

    Eagle Lake

    Eagle Lake

    5.0(10 reviews)
    12.3 mi

    Lengt:h 7.2 Total Miles…read more Elevation Gain: 2,100 feet Trail Type: Out-and-back Skill Level: DIFFICULT Duration: Backpack or day hike Season: Best July through September Trailhead Elevation: 7,900 feet Top Elevation: 10,000 feet In September, this sun-exposed trail was lined with a scattering of Indians Paintbrush, a sampling of the fuller wildflower bouquet, which blooms on these slopes in the spring. After 1 mile, turn right at the White Chief Trail junction. The Eagle Lake Trail shifts in style from a straight track to a series of switchbacks that chew into the elevation. At the junction with the Mosquito Lakes Trail, turn left and set your sites on Eagle Lake, 1.7 miles away. Alternatively, hikers could turn right here and hike the same distance to the lowest of four Mosquito Lakes located one ridge west of Eagle Lake. The ascent tapers as you follow Eagle Creek to its source, passing a pair of unique "sink holes" where the water disappear underground into strange craters. Pass through a wooded meadow and dissect an alpine bounder field. The trail mounts a rock slope beneath Eagle Lake and offers fine northeast views toward Sawtooth and Mineral Peaks. The route to this lake follows the same trail for the first 2 miles, ascending steadily up the west side of the Mineral King Valley. The trail ends at the north end of Eagle Lake, where a small dam, maintained by Southern California Edison, enhances the volume of the lake. A path continues through the trees along the eastern shoreline. Large rocks act as islands in the lake, which gets more picturesque the further you walk.

    We just went to Eagle Lake for an overnight camping trip. It's mid-August…read more We first stopped at the ranger station to get some information about the trail. That's where we rented bear can for our food. The rangers were really nice and knowledgeable. We pay $15 for camping permit and $5 for bear can rental fee. It was 4 of us and our 2 year old son. We started hike just OK, but it's ALL UPHILL till the lake. Our son did great, covered good mileage, but of course we ended up carrying him later. If you are going with little kids, it's best to have proper carriage because the terrain gets pretty rocky and steep. It's best if you have both hands free to climb up there. Hiking sticks strongly recommended. It is one of the hardest back-country camping trip, but it was rewarding! The meadows were so beautiful, saw wild life, and the sense of accomplishment was priceless!

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    Eagle Lake
    Eagle Lake - Hike to Eagle Lake

    Hike to Eagle Lake

    Eagle Lake - Hike to Eagle Lake

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    Hike to Eagle Lake

    Middle Fork Trail to Panther Creek

    Middle Fork Trail to Panther Creek

    5.0(2 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    A really lovely, rewarding trail that winds around a ridge far above the Kaweah River. To get to…read morePanther Creek/Falls the trail is mostly uphill. The hills aren't very steep and it shouldn't be an issue unless you've got about 50lbs of gear on your back, like myself. I definitely needed to take breaks often as this trail did not offer much shade and it must have been around 75F outside. The trail is narrow and shared with horses so you'll have to dodge horse poop from time to time. Lots of lovely flowers and amazing views of the river. Watch out for snakes and poison oak (there is a TON of poison oak...make sure you know what it looks like before going!) There are 3-4 streams to cross, mostly just rock hopping. The water is pretty shallow if you just want to walk through. Gorgeous waterfalls and lots of lizards! Once you arrive at Panther Creek, you'll hear the turbulent waters of the river below and will be offered spectacular scenery. There is a campsite right at the end of the trail if you plan on staying overnight, otherwise this is the turnaround point for this hike. If you continue on uphill past the campsite, you'll find the continuation of the trail that will take you to the lovely Redwood Meadow.

    I actually am not sure if I should do this, because more people will find out how awesome it is,…read moreand will start going there. I just got back from a backpacking trip in Sequoia. Our original trip was canceled by closed road to the trail, so we randomly picked one that was available. All along the trail is gorgeous, and very soothing with the sound of massively flowing river. Pretty wild flowers and cute marmots, if you are fortunate, may be some black bears? you need to cross few creeks, which is not that hard at all. Beautiful massive granites everywhere, and tasty water. I really enjoyed this trip. Oh, plus very cute camping spot as well.. Only thing that bothered me was campers before us left some trash at the site, so we had to bring it out. Please take your own trash out and don't be such shitheads. Bad karma will follow you til you pay for your deed. I am feeling pretty awesome now after this trip :-) -moderate, short hike, no hardcore up or downhills.

    Lakes Trail To Watchtower - hiking - Updated July 2026

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