Has anyone stayed at the park in late May? Wondering how much snow to consider. We are planning to hike for a week, just day trips. Also wondering if anyone has experiences to share or stayed at Wuksachi Village there.

Late May is usually fine. Kings Canyon is, like Yosemite, around 4500 feet. It can be quite warm there in late May.

Sequoia is higher and therefore cooler. In some years, there will still be snow in some locations. But, the main roads and the most popular groves will be all be open. Look for the snowplants.

We were there this past May. The weather (and snow plants) were beautiful. I don't remember seeing any snow in either park although there was snow at the higher elevations in Yosemite. I would imagine it could vary year by year. You can click on my name above, or type in Kings Canyon and Sequoia in the "search this forum" above--I posted a trip report. There has also been information on the Wuksachi Lodge.

We stayed at the Wuksachi Village last July and really enjoyed it - upgraded to a suite to spread out for a couple of nights. We also enjoyed the food at the restaurant for the breakfast buffet and dinner; although, service was slow at dinner.

Lovely. The Mist Fall hike in King's Canyon is incredible. Not difficult and you are beside the river for 90% of the hike. Lots of shade and nice fall at the end.

We just returned from Sequoia. Did not go into Kings Canyon. We only had two days and they were full with all the sites in the southern area so we never made it further. The hikes were incredible. We went up to Moro Rock and Tharp log where the guy lived in the fallen tree...and the Giants trail where lots of groups of large trees are. We visited hospital rock. We stayed at Wuksachi which was very nice...so was our dinner at the Wuksachi restaurant. I think earlier for dining is busier. We made our reservations for 7:45 and it had slowed down some. I took about 5 rolls of film in the park just of the trees on the trails at different times of day. Amazing the difference the morning and afternoon light makes. We happened upon the museum which is before you reach lodgepole coming from the south. They were offering free guided tours of the giants trail. It is a shorter walk and was full of very interesting information. Our guide was great and made it fun for both adults and kids. I learned so many things about the trees themselves and the area. They really are unique. Its well worth going on...slow paced so the elderly ones who joined us could keep up. And they didnt mind that we took pictures and wandered while they were talking. I wasnt going to do the guided one, but now I'm very glad I did. When you stop there there is another building up on the hill above the museum that is some sort of rock museum..it wasnt open, but near it are these huge rock platforms you can walk out on and see over the whole area. Its only about 50 feet from the parking lot and worth the little jaunt up there. Going in July, most of the roaring rivers and falls in the southern part were down to small runs. So we passed on the trails that led to falls. I should also add that the Lodgepole area also has a full laundromat. Very convenient. There were lots of campers there early morning using the facilities. We went about July 25th and though it was hot in Three Rivers...like 104....it was in the hi 70's up in the park. Feel free to email me if you have other questions.

Hi Ellz-glad to hear you had a great trip. I love to read about people's experiences, especially after following your posts and questions before your trip.

I read your other reply also and was very interested to hear what you thought about the towns, accommodations, etc. near the south entrance. I never regretted staying in the park itself, but when planning our trip we had considered staying in Three Rivers at first.

All of these posts bring back so many memories of my kids growing up in these parks. We had a home outside of these parks for many years.

We have since sold it and purchased a condo in the Huntington Lake area for the snowboarding/boating. There is nothing like these parks in CA, IMO. Less populated than Yosemite and so much natural beauty.

We enjoyed the Sequoia-Montecito resort where we would take day trips. It's a gorgeous property with full amenities. Caters to families and small children. We used to swim, sail, etc. at the Lake Montevalo there.

My daughter caught her first fish at Stoney Creek. Anyone been there? Also, has anyone hiked to Grizzley Falls? It's gorgeous around that area. Moro Rock was another awesome sight. And no bear sightings by anyone yet? ***kim***

Hi Kimamom

The Grizzly Falls we went to was in Kings Canyon. In fact we almost missed it. The sign said Grizzly Falls picnic area and the falls were right behind it. Very impressive falls! Of course this was in May--may not be as much now. Is that the falls you were talking about--it wasn't really a hike, just a short walk from the road.

You couldn't miss seeing a bear in May this past year in Sequoia. Is it unusual not to see any in the summer?

No, the falls were in sequoia and started at the lodgepole campground. We talked with a couple who had walked the trail and they said it was definitely worth a walk, but the falls were more a slow pouring, not a rushing waterfall. I can't remember the name. We passed because I wanted to do the Tharps log trail and see Moro Rock. I have discovered that my somehow acquired fear of heights is still with me, and the road up and down to the mountain terrified me....so did the climb up Moro Rock, but I did it! It was somewhat better on the way down the mountain when i climbed in the back seat, behind my husband and held on to the headrest....lol. At least I wasnt sitting in the cliff edge seat then.
I was surprised we didnt see any bears also. We saw signs of them everywhere...flattened grass that hadnt been the night before, droppings everywhere....and we talked to people who had seen them. And then because my meal at Wuksachi restaurant was so large I wanted to take my leftover to the room.....so I asked the waiter if it was safe for me to walk at night with my food in hand...he said......hopefully It was a rather tense quick walk to the rooms...lol. All in all...Sequoia was like another world....my husband even commented on the second day, "Its kind of like a magic place isnt it?" My sentiments exactly.

I should add something also...I went to the Sequoia National Park bookstore online before our trip. I bought a package that included all the trail maps, area maps and informational booklets. I think it was $15. I figured the amount we were spending to fly from Michigan to Calif and then make the trip...knowing where I was going would benefit us. It was a bonus to be able to look over this stuff in advance. You can buy them at the visitors center, but who wants to be reading all that when you are missing some of the most majestic sights on earth???? You dont have to buy the whole package either...they have individual ones. We used the trail maps and the map of the General's Highway most of all. Just in case someone is a planner like me....Enjoy!

No one has mentioned the Crystal Caves, either! Did anyone do this great tour? My kids loved these caves when they were younger. I especially remember "the wedding cake" one which was very interesting.

Here's a cool website for the area: www.sequoiahistory.org ***kim***

For anyone looking for lodging on the way to these parks, I would recommend the Sequoia View Vineyard B&B located in Sanger, CA. www.svbnb.com is the web address.

We sampled some of their wines here and they are also featured at the five-star restaurant The Elderberry House in Oakhurst, CA.

We love thier signature wine, the Alicante Bouschet, very nice red. Jon's Bear Club is a few miles away, a great place to have dinner. ***kim***