Planning King Canyon and Sequoia National Park

Hi everyone! 🙂 Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park. Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening! Marcalamar 🙂

Hi there, I’ll point you to my travel journal (days 29, 30, and 31) for these two parks. I think the distance from Oakhurst to Grant Grove Village (right near Miramonte) is barely 100 miles—and it’s mostly fast roads. Double-check on Google Maps and leave early. In my opinion, you’ll have time to make the round trip to the end of the road in Kings Canyon, and it’s totally worth it. It left a strong impression on me—especially since it was during peak snowmelt, so the flow was incredible for both the Kings River and the side waterfalls. If you’re getting back from Kings Canyon a little late, save General Grant Tree and Big Stump Grove for the next morning. It won’t add extra miles since you’re heading toward Sequoia NP anyway. You’ve planned two days (if I counted right), so you’ll have some flexibility if you need it.

Hi there! 🙂 Thanks, Michel, for your reply. I’ll follow your advice. I’m starting to get the lay of the land, and it’s a great solution. Thanks also for the link to your travel journal—I’ll study it carefully since travel journals are goldmines for those of us planning. Have a great day! Marcalamar 🙂

Hello again! 🙂 I just skimmed through (I’m waiting for my grandkids who are on vacation) and I didn’t find days 29, 30, and 31 in your travel journal—because of the photo limit, you jumped straight from day 26 to 33 (the departure day). And your other US journal is about Oregon—too bad! 😕 I’ll go back and read more carefully since we’re passing through some of the places you describe. If you’ve got those missing days hidden somewhere, I’d love to see them!

Little anecdote: the day we’re in Virginia City, they’re holding their annual zebra, ostrich, and camel races, so I don’t think we’ll linger too long—it’s going to be packed!

Your journal is amazing—so pleasant to read and full of details!!! It’s not easy picking photos to stay under 300. I’ve seen that with my latest journals too. Have a great day! 🙂

Hi, the travel journal resumed after an exemption was granted for ongoing journals at the time of that decision...... There was quite a discussion in the journal. And after the exemption for ongoing journals, I picked up again at message 116 (day 26). You should be able to find your way by following that.

Hi Michel 🙂 I found the days I was missing and took the time to read your itinerary in Yosemite, around Lake Tahoe, and Mono Lake carefully since we’ll be passing through there. Have a great day and thanks for these awesome travel journals! Marcalamar 🙂