Mountain Biking Sequoia National Forest

This 16.6-mile round-trip out-and-back ride takes you through some wonderful redwood groves and to some great views of the Monarch Divide. The ride to the turnaround point is a long, moderately difficult ascent punctuated by some short, steep hills. The first one-quarter mile is strenuous, and then the climbing gets easier. The majority of the route is over a four-wheel-drive, hard-packed dirt road in good condition. You will encounter some short stretches that are rocky, bumpy, and rutted; these sections of road are technically demanding.

After riding for 5.5 miles, you'll come to a magnificent vista. At the roadside the mountain drops off steeply, leaving you with a grand view of Monarch Divide. The gray and bluish rock faces of this geologic formation are striking. Spanish Mountain and Obelisk can be seen high up; below is the Monarch Wilderness Area bordering the South Fork of the Kings River.

This outing takes you through several stands of the mightiest trees in the world — the giant Sequoias of the High Sierra. Although shorter than coastal redwoods, Sierra redwoods (Sequoia gigantum) have enormous diameters, some reaching up to 40 feet. The trip back down is fast and fun. You may wish to conclude your ride with a refreshing swim in nearby Hume Lake.

Finding the trail: From Fresno, travel east on CA 180. After approximately 55 miles you will enter the General Grant Grove Section of Kings Canyon National Park. Stay on CA 180 and pass through Wilsonia and out of the park. Drive about seven miles beyond Wilsonia to a small sign for Hume Lake; the sign for Hume Lake and the road down to the lake are just beyond the Sequoia National Forest Princess Campground. Turn right onto Hume Lake Road and proceed downhill. Follow the signs to the Hume Lake Christian Camp, passing it as the road takes you around the lake and past some summer homes. Go over the bridge that crosses Ten Mile Creek and continue on the main road where a side road leads left to public beaches. Drive uphill 0.5 mile beyond the bridge to the signed FS 13S05 on the left. There is room to park one small vehicle at the start of FS 13S05. You can also park in a large turnout a little farther uphill on the paved road.

Notes on the trail: The ride starts at the small sign for FS 13S05. After riding for 1.2 miles you'll reach a Y intersection; stay right and follow the main road. Well into the ride, seven miles from the start, a secondary road enters from the right. Continue straight on the main road. We turned around after 8.3 miles of pedaling; you may wish to explore farther along this road. Return the way you came.

Forest Service Road 13S05

• Length/configuration: 16.6-mile out-and-back (8.3 miles each way).
  
• Aerobic difficulty: Moderately difficult; intermediate climbs with some short steep grades; a rather long ride.
  
• Technical difficulty: Moderately difficult to difficult; most of the route's four-wheel-drive roads are in good condition; some rocky and rutted road bed.
  
• Scenery: Wonderful view of Monarch Divide and the South Fork of the Kings River.
  
• Special comments: Route passes through several stands of mighty Sequoias.
  
• General location: The ride starts near Hume Lake in the Sequoia National Forest, approximately 70 miles east of Fresno.
  
• Elevation change: The ride begins at 5,300 feet and climbs to a high point of 6,600 feet on FS 13S05. Total elevation gain: 1,300 feet.
  
• Season: Late spring through early fall. Cool temperatures at higher elevations make this a nice place to ride in the summer. The only access road, CA 180, is closed in winter.
  
• Services: There is no water available on this ride. Piped water can be obtained seasonally at the nearby Hume Lake and Princess Campgrounds. Food, lodging, telephones, and limited groceries can be found at the Hume Lake Christian Camp during the summer. All services are available in Fresno.
  
• Hazards: Portions of the ride traverse rocky terrain. Watch for loose rocks, ruts, and sandy sections. Anticipate other recreationists, including motorists. Control your speed on the descent. Expect sudden weather changes.
  
• Rescue index: Help is available at the Hume Lake Christian Camp.
  
• Land status: Sequoia National Forest.
  
• Maps: A map of the Sequoia National Forest may be obtained at the Hume Lake Ranger Station. This station lies outside the national forest boundary; it is located approximately 30 miles east of Fresno on CA 180.