Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park

Colorado Photos: Winter Scenes

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Though Giant Forest offers the widest range of trails for different ability levels, skiing here is restricted to day trips - no camping allowed. More advanced trails start at Wolverton (near Lodgepole), where you can overnight outdoors with a permit, or in the lodge at the end of the Pear Lake Trail. The lodge ills up quickly, so be sure to make reservations far in advance.

Skis and snowshoes are available for rent at the Wolverton Ski Touring Center: 559-565-3435. Trail maps cost $2.

Sunset Rock Loop Trail
Distance: 2 mile loop
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead : Round Meadow Parking area by Giant Forest Lodge

A flat ski along a roadway and walking trail. Leads to a vista where you can watch the afternoon sun sink. Great for warming up or training beginners. The trail is marked by yellow triangles with an S in the center.

Crescent Meadow Road Trail
Distance: 5 miles out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead : West end of Giant Forest VillageFollows a roadbed 1.2 miles to Moro Rock. Track then splits into a 1 mile circle of Moro Rock or 1.3 mile extension to Crescent Meadows.

Easy grades with a 300 foot gain out to Moro Rock. From Crescent meadow, you can backtrack or return on the more difficult Crescent Trail to either the General Sherman Tree (2.5 miles away) or the Giant Forest Village via a link with the Alta Trail (3.3 miles from Crescent Meadows). The prevalence of giant sequoias makes this trail one of the park's most traveled, with good reason.

Crescent Trail
Distance: 5 miles out and back
Difficulty: Intermediate
Trailhead : The General Sherman Tree

A trail running through the Giant Forest to Crescent Meadows. Relatively easy with some short steep spots through the trees. Can retrace your tracks or continue on the Crescent Meadows trail past Moro Rock to the Giant Forest Village (2.5 miles from Crescent Meadows). Alternatively can return to the General Sherman Tree via the difficult Trail of the Sequoias (3.7 mile return). The trail is marked by yellow triangles with a crescent in the center.

Trail of the Sequoias
Distance: 6 miles out and back
Difficulty: Difficult
Trailhead : The General Sherman Tree

A challenging route. Along the eastern edge of Giant Forest, experienced skiiers can enjoy steep pitches through dense trees. Passes through the Congress Group of Sequoias and by Tharp's Log to reach Crescent Meadows. Follow the Crescent Trail back for a great 6.2 mile loop. The trail is marked by yellow triangles with a sequoia in the center.

Alta Trail
Distance: 6.2 mile point to point (with intermediate exit points)
Difficulty: Difficult
Trailhead : Giant Forest Village or Wolverton Ski Area

Combining easy ridges with steep descents, this trail roughly parallels the Generals Highway from Giant Forest Village to the Wolverton Ski Area. The more challenging direction is to start atop the Wolverton Poma and descend 1300 feet to the Village. The opposite direction strains the muscles and the lungs but is easier for the less-skilled to retain control. Connects with several other trails, including Panther, Crescent, and Trail of the Sequoias. The trail is marked by yellow triangles with a leaf in the center.

Old Lodgepole Road Trail
Distance: 2.5 miles point to point
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead : Lodgepole Village or General Sherman Tree

This flat route parallels the Generals Highway, making markers rarely necessary. Because much of the trail is protected from direct sunlight, the snow tends to remain skiable later in the season than many of the surrounding trails. It is marked by yellow triangles with an L in the center.

Panther Trail
Distance: 7 mile loop
Difficulty: Difficult
Trailhead : Wolverton

A serious track that winds under 8600-foot Panther Peak to Panther Gap and Britten Meadow. Be prepared for steep grades and thick trees. You can camp (with a permit) near Panther Gap. The trail is marked by yellow triangles with a panther in the center.

Pear Lake Trail
Distance: 12 mile out and back
Difficulty: Difficult
Trailhead : Wolverton Ski Area

A backcountry route that climbs the 9400 foot Hump to reach a glacial basin containing Heather, Aster, Emerald, and Pear Lakes. The track ends at the Pear Lake Ski Hut, which can be used overnight with wilderness permit and reservation. Whiteout and avalanches make the area hazardous so check conditions with a ranger. The trail is marked by yellow triangles.

Ski Areas:

Grant Grove | Montecito Sequoia Lodge