wildpumpkin

I will be traveling to L.A. this fall for work. Being from the east coast and bringing up two kids on two teacher salaries I won't likely get back out to CA for a looooooong time. That being said, I really want to see the Giant Sequoias, or even just one. I realize the ideal situation would be to spend days at the park, but I can't....so, is it possible to travel from L.A. area to Sequoia Nat'l Park in a day? I realize traffic can be a nightmare, so I'm not sure how accurate the 3.5 hour drive is that the GPS is giving me?? Even if it meant spending enough time to hike to one tree, spend 10 minutes and hike out; I would be OK with that!

janisj

'Los Angeles' is a huge (ENORMOUS) area so where in the basin will you be? Location in LA could easily add 1+ hour to the drive time. But inless you are in farthest northern LA county, plan on a minimum of 4 hours each way to get in to the park.

>>time to hike to one tree,

jamie99

Mapquest is telling me 4hr 40 minutes at 1:30pm on a weekday (outside of rush hour) using the boring I-5. No way would I drive all that way to look at a tree, and turn around and drive back.
Stay overnight, if you can't get in park lodging, there are motels in nearby Three Rivers.

mlgb

The Google Map times only take you to the edge of the park, and don't include drive time to the nearest grove.

If you will be here in October, Trail of 100 Giants is a great place see Giant Sequoias, closer to LA and with easier access to lodging. A lot of our northern California "experts" have never heard of it, I'm sure. The road isn't plowed but I don't think until mid November you should be okay. Just check first. I'd print out the trail map because there may not be an attendant at the lot all the time.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sequ...a/?recid=79825

$5 concession fee for parking.

I'd probably not want to do it in a day, but if wanted to leave after work you could stay in Bakersfield which is 2 hours away, or Kernville which is 3 hours, then go up in the morning and back the same day. To Kernville is about 3 hours from LA, and then about an 1hr to the trees. It won't be as crowded with people or traffic. The trails are easy.

Be aware that no matter which place you go, getting out of LA can add an hour during commute times.

mlgb

Here's another web link for the trail map. It seems the Forest Service has deactivated the web links. You'll be able to get right up to the trees here.

http://www.gsnma.org/maps/trail-of-100-giants/

Lots of photos on Yelp

https://www.yelp.com/biz/trail-of-10...ts-springville