Hike Crescent Meadow
Sequoia National Park, California
Details
Distance
1.6 miles
Route Type
Loop
Description
Added by Dane
Giant Sequoia Forest. Lush green meadows. Bears, deer and fawns. Backpacking. Eagle View look out over the Great Western Divide. The main loop is 1.6 miles, with the option to add side trips.
Crescent Meadow is a collection of loops in the Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park. The trailhead is located just past the tunnel log east of General's Highway 198. The main loop is 1.6mi total. However you can take any of the loops to the General Sherman tree 3mi, Tharp's Log trail 0.5mi, or the High Sierra Trail 1mi to Eagles View. If you continue past Eagles View, the trail will take you 60mi to Mt. Whitney.
The meadows are an abundance of bright green ferns, Sequoia trees, and damp forest floors with creeks and small rivers. The Giant Forest is covered in green moss and rays of sunlight, making this place a must go.
The main loop is great for children and families with easy access and a moderate climb. In the summer and spring time you will see a lot of bears so be prepared and informed of what to do. If you plan on stopping on trail to snack, do so somewhere high up where you have a 360 view because the bears will flock toward your food almost instantly.
The trail to Tharp's log is a black paved road. I recommend doing this last when you loop back toward the parking lot. Start off on the High Sierra Trail to Eagle's View, then continue the loop to Tharp's Log. About 0.2mi passed Tharp's Log you can also visit Chimney Tree, on the way to the parking lot. These trails are absolutely beautiful and so much fun to explore.
I came here for some backpacking and photography past Eagles View on the High Sierra trail (you will need a permit to camp over night). The trail goes 60mi to Mt. Whitney and offers great views and great camp spots off trail.
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Hike Crescent Meadow Reviews
Went late in the day and it was like a magical forest with the sun shining through the trees. There are some giants strewn about the trail here and there. So much lush greenery and beautiful ferns, I half expected to see a dinosaur.
4.0
My buddy from San Diego has never been to a “meadow”. And I hadn’t really gotten excited to go to one. Man am I glad I did. This place is amazing. And nearby is the cabin sequoia. The giant trees mixed with grass lands made a awesome sunset on our last night in the national park.
5.0
Leave No Trace
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Nearby
Backpack the High Sierra Trail
Drive through Tunnel Log
Hike Moro Rock
Hike through the Giant Forest in Sequoia NP
Hike the Congress Trail
Camp at Buckeye Flat in Sequoia National Park
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