General Grant Tree Guide
Giant sequoia trees are big--why do you think they have the word giant in their name? The largest tree on the planet is in the aptly named Sequoia National Park, but the widest is found just down the road in Kings Canyon National Park. The General Grant Tree, residing in the Grant Grove area, one of the widest trees on the planet, the second largest by volume, and maybe it's highest honor: being the nation's Christmas tree.
When to Visit
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Unlike some sections of Kings Canyon National Park, the Grant Grove area stays open year-round--even in the winter. Do check conditions ahead of time though, as occasionally snowstorms can shut the General's Highway (Highway 198) connected Kings Canyon and Sequoia down. If you're coming from Fresno into Grant Grove, the road is more likely to be clear; nonetheless, tire chains are required to at least be in your vehicle in the winter regardless of inclement weather. Unlike the Cedar Grove area at the bottom of Kings Canyon, Grant Grove gets quite a bit of traffic in the busy summer months--it's easily the busiest part of the park. By fall the crowds lessen, and winter snows make for amazing views with very few other visitors.
How to Get There
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If you're coming from Sequoia National Park, take the General's Highway (198) heading east until it terminates, then turning right until Highway 180 which will take you into Grant Grove Village; pass the John Muir Lodge until you come to an intersection, turning left which takes you to Grant Grove and the parking lot. For those coming from the south, take Highway 180 as a straight shot into the park and Grant Grove Village.
The General Grant Tree
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Time: 45 minutes - 1 hour.
Distance: .5 miles.
There's a large parking lot with bathrooms at the Grant Grove trailhead, but if it fills, there's an overflow area just down the road from it near the North Grove trailhead. Giant sequoia greet you everywhere you look, before you've even started hiking. The trail is essentially a loop, but can get a bit confusing as there are a handful of criss crosses and short cuts. Start the trail off by hiking to the right.
Grant Grove parking area.
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Besides all of the standing giant sequoia around you, one of the things likeliest to catch your eye is the Fallen Monarch: a felled sequoia that's been hollowed out, and that you can walk through from one section of the trail to another. In the past the hollowed out tree was used as a living quarters, horse stable, and even saloon--talk about being a hybrid. If you choose to walk through it, you'll want to take the trail until you reach the Gamlin Cabin, and then turn right to go towards the General Grant. If you don't walk through it, continue forward until you reach a junction, turning left to head to the General Grant.
The Fallen Monarch.
This is a short, and relatively flat trail--with a handful of gradually uphill portions mixed in. If its your first time seeing sequoia though, don't be afraid to stop and enjoy the views--these trees are like no other, and there's many of them here.
Giant sequoias in Grant Grove.
The General Grant is marked by a sign, and a large fence around it--the roots of sequoia are shallow, and walking on the earth above them can cause damage. Standing 267.4 feet fall and 107.6 feet wide, it's the second largest tree on the planet by volume. For the largest, you'll have to head to Sequoia National Park next door. If you're trying to capture a picture on your phone, you're likely going to need panorama mode (goes for most sequoia)--it's that big, otherwise you'll need an ultra-wide lens. As for being the nation's Christmas tree, it received this designation in 1926, and every Christmas, a wreath is laid at its base.
The General Grant Tree.
Fire scar on the General Grant Tree.
The North Grove is full of giant sequoia, and much quieter than the General Grant.
Kings Canyon National Park Video Guide
Explore the giant sequoias of Grant Grove, amazing Sierra Nevada views, countless waterfalls, the jaw-dropping Boyden Cavern, and venture deep into the backcountry to the stunning Paradise Valley--all in this video guide to one of America's less-traveled national parks!
The trail loops around the Grant Tree, revealing a large fire scar near its back. Giant sequoia are no stranger to forest fires, and are not only resistant to it, but actually need the heat from the flames to release the seeds found in their cones. Many sequoia in the Sierra Nevada range bear fire scars.
There are other trails nearby in Grant Grove to be explored, but if you've had enough of the big trees any want to see more of what Kings Canyon National Park has to offer, click here. If you've got the hankering for more sequoia but want less crowds, a short drive down from the General Grant parking lot puts you at the North Grove trailhead, with far fewer crowds but plenty of those amazing big trees.