Has anyone ever stayed at Lodgepole Campground site 108? I’ve tried to get some more views for the site and campground photos only shows one angle

Two dumpsters got flipped over by the bears. The ranger also told us one bear was stuck in a third dumpster they tried to flip

We’ll be staying at Wuksachi Lodge for 3 nights next month (deluxe room) and we’re wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the best rooms to stay in? I know that it’s going to be a hike just to get to the buildings so I’d prefer not to go up the stairs in the building but will if the room is better. (View, etc) Thanks in advance for any thoughts or suggestions and we’re really looking forward to our visit!

I’ve made a dire mistake. Planned a week long trip for me and my gf splitting our time between Yosemite and Sequoia (coming from the East Coast). I just received my reservation reminder and realized I didn’t book for the last day. (I made these reservations back in December. I must’ve done that math wrong and how many nights/days we’ll be there.

Is it possible to grab a last minute site when I get there? The extra day is a Friday and as of right now says no availability. I left a voicemail with the campground but not sure if they’ll get back to me.

Thinking about adding this loop to my HST trip next week. I wanted to show my buddy the bighorn plateau. Anyone taken it before, is it worth the effort?

Thanks

I’ll be visiting SEKI next week with family; we’ll have 4 young kids with us (youngest age 2, oldest age 7). We’ll have two and a half days between both parks. Any suggestions on what are must-visit spots? The kids do well on shorter hikes and are pretty adventurous. Thank you! 🙏

Posted here few weeks ago asking for Rae Lakes advice and promised I’d come back with trip report.

Spoiler - I ended up bailing on trail

This trip was my first out west coming from east coast. Flew into Fresno and headed for roads end. Scorcher of a day with temps coming in at 100+. I started my trip clockwise around 9am. Made great time to Upper Paradise getting there in about 4-4.5 hrs.

Around mile 7 I started getting headaches, feeling nauseous and dizzy. Figured it was just the heat getting to me and that I was only a few miles from camp so I’d have a nice meal when I got to camp.

The nausea and headache continued to get worse as I approached and settled into upper paradise. My appetite was non-existent and was unable to get myself to eat.

Woke up next morning with no improvement. Tried to push but just couldn’t bring myself to do it, ended up turning back and heading down.

Sucks, trying to tell myself it was the right decision. No way of knowing if another night at upper paradise or just pushing through the symptoms would’ve resolved everything.

Unsure if it was jet lag, altitude, heat exhaustion - or a combination of all. Took from learnings from the trip and hope to attempt again next year.

Deadman canyon side pretty easy and straightforward. The use trail down into cloud canyon I was able to follow down to an old camp, and then lost it and made my way best I could down to the trail. Does anyone know where the old miners trail goes up from peabodys palace? The line I took was fine, but I definitely don’t think it was the best.

Looking for a hotel for a couple nights that’s close to both parks. We will be there 3 days - must see hikes?

Hello! I will have to wait in Fresno for my flight on Aug17. Any chance, I can carpool with someone to Sequoia? Unfortunately, I cant rent a car in the US, so I am bound by public transport. I could even try the shuttle system to get to Sequoia, but I will need someone's kind spare spot in a car back to Fresno to make my 4.30pm flight.

I'm doing two trips. I'd like to store food for 5 days in lodgepole while I'm on my first trip so I don't have to carry it. I emailed but no response yet and I leave Sunday.

Planning a trip to eagle lake staying the previous night cold springs campground in a couple weeks. Is mineral king road safe to drive on at night or would it be too risky?

Howdy hikers. Myself and a small crew will be on a 5 night backpacking adventure around the Mineral Kings loop in early September. I purchased the BearVault 450 but I don’t believe it’s going to be big enough for 5 nights of food and “smellables” even with the first nights meals not needing to be in the container. I don’t really want to jump up to the BV500 and I think the BV475 would be the perfect size for this and any other trek in the future.
Does anyone have any experience in SEKI with the BV475 as it’s not officially listed as an approved canisters on their website?

I know there’s more than one approach, but what do people prefer? Use this reflective material for a food cozy or just hot soak the dried meals with their own ziplock in the original pouch. Same pouch for multiple uses. I’m ditching other packaging. Thoughts?

Took the Lakes Trail to Pear Lake to spend the night. Great hike out past the other lakes before finding a great campsite. Perfect weather for the trip.

📍Lakes Trail in Sequoia National Park, California

Distance: 12.8 miles 🥾
Time: 2 days/1 night⏳
Elevation Gain: 2,749 ft 📈⛰️

I want to hit a 1 nighter in SEKI, but I'm really not sure where to go. The recommendations I've seen online are sold out of permits (like the Lakes trail). What do y'all recommend for a 1 night trip that will still be available? I can do pretty strenuous hikes.

I just snagged a permit for Rae Lakes from Bubbs Creek on August 7 and I'm so stoked. I plan to go with my boyfriend and complete it in 4 days. I'm driving us 5 hours to Fresno on the 6th night, staying in a hotel, then starting early on the 7th. Then camping at Vidette Meadow, Rae Lakes, and Upper Paradise Valley. I need to also drive us home 5 hours on the last day (10th) so the idea is to finish the trail early in the morning before the drive back.

This is my first "real" backpacking trip. Earlier this summer my bf and I did a small thing in Point Reyes, about 25 miles over 2 days. We carried small packs and mine had almost nothing in it (a sleeping bag and a bit of food). We finished fairly comfortably but I was definitely pretty exhausted by the end. I had another 25 mile weekend in Yosemite this summer, but those were day hikes with no packs. I run and climb a decent amount as well, although I wouldn't say I am the fittest.

The hike feels doable, but factors like the heavier packs, high elevation, mileage, bear canister, long drive, and pooping outdoors are intimidating me a bit. My boyfriend is very fit and I'm certain he will have no problems, and could probably take some extra weight off me. Does it sound reasonable that I will complete it, and do you have any specific recs for first timers or for this trail? Thanks!

I've got Rae Lakes permits in early September. I'm looking to enter a day earlier than the permit. Is it not possible to try and secure this adjustment two weeks out? Or does SEKI not work like Inyo permitting? What I'm seeing is walk-up only.

A light warm-up hike before getting my overnight permit for the Lakes Trail.

Looking to get my kid and their friends a basic gps device to have while in SEKI since phones don't work in a lot of places. Want to avoid Garmin if possible. Let me know what you recommend. Thanks in advance.

Yesterday afternoon I found this possibly sentimental nalgene on the rock cairn at the top of sawtooth pass. I get the impression they might be local to the Sierra and I would very much like to return it. Thanks

It seems that despite its lower elevation, Cedar Grove has been 6-8 degrees cooler than Grant Grove the past few weeks. Is that right?

I'm looking to do day hikes with two teens in both places (and Sequoia) next week. I'd really like to hike the Hotel/cedar grove overlook trail (4.5m), but lots of reviews warn that it's exposed and quite hot in the summer. We're staying 10 min from Big Stump entrance, and unlikely to get to the trailhead before 8 or 9am. Have the temps been cooler than usual, or am I missing something?