Crescent Meadow Loop

Sequoia National Park, California

Crescent Meadow, a stream-fed, flower-filled meadow encircled by giant sequoias, represents one of the most scenic meadows in Sequoia National Park— in fact, it is so pretty that John Muir called it the “Gem of the Sierras.”

A visit to Sequoia National Park would be incomplete without viewing this natural wonder so from the Generals Highway, drive 2.6 miles to the end of Crescent Meadow Road, bearing left at the Moro Rock turnoff—you will find the parking area at the road’s end. The trailhead, located at the southeast end of the parking lot, marks the beginning of the 1.8-mile loop trail—following the loop in a counter-clockwise direction seems to be the norm.

From the parking area, follow the paved High Sierra Trail, crossing two footbridges that span Crescent Creek—after the crossings, you will reach a signed junction that marks the Crescent Meadow/High Sierra fork. The paved left fork circles Crescent Meadow and the right fork onto the High Sierra Trail leads to several other hiking options—hikers following the High Sierra Trail may be setting off on a journey ranging from the one mile excursion to Eagle View, or Bobcat Point, or the epic 70 mile trek to Mt Whitney.

On a whim, Pick and I decided to follow the High Sierra Trail to Bobcat Point—a rock outcrop with a scenic view of the Middle Fork Kaweah River Canyon and Moro Rock. To reach the overlook, follow the High Sierra Trail to a junction 20 yards down the trail, bear right towards Moro Rock—a left leads to another viewpoint, Eagle View. Climb the forested, wildflower-lined trail to the ridge overlooking the canyon, and then continue hiking along the edge of the canyon to Kaweah Vista—the first overlook along the rim of the canyon. Bobcat Point is just a short distance downhill from Kaweah Vista—wildflowers were abundant at the point and the views of the river valley and Moro Rock were splendid.

Back on the paved loop trail, we rejoined Sully and Banana and made our way to the southern end of Crescent Meadow—a wide-open swath of greenery lined with towering firs and sequoias is your introduction to the meadow. In the spring and summer, wildflowers such as lupine and Indian paintbrush bloom among the green corn lilies and grasses of the meadow—autumn brings a splash a yellow from goldenrods.

Leaving the southern end of the meadow, the trail travels north along the southeast end of the meadow and reaches a dirt track that leads to the Cleveland Tree and Chimney Tree¬—stay on the paved path to view Tharp’s Log and Log Meadow. We followed the dirt track, enjoying our first opportunity to get truly close to a giant sequoia tree—trees along most other trails are fenced in to protect them from the trampling masses. On the Crescent Meadow Loop, you can walk right up to a giant sequoia and give it a hug—if you’re a tree hugger.

Bypassing Tharp’s Log and Log Meadow, we skirted the edge of Crescent Meadow for views of the massive Cleveland Tree and an excursion inside the hollow Chimney Tree—especially fun for kids and the young at heart.

As we made our way back towards the parking area, we were excited to catch a glimpse of a mule deer resting between two giant sequoias—Crescent Meadow is a great place to view wildlife, bears and deer are often sighted in the morning and evening (we glimpsed a bear from the car the night before).

Proceeding west, the trail loops around and skirts the sunlit southern side of the meadow before arriving at the picnic area and trailhead for a roundtrip hike of 1.8-miles.