Sequoia Ntl Park Planning Question
 

It may be too late to plan this for 2025 but we're thinking of going to Sequoia NP later this summer. I am also interested in Bristlecone Pines so am thinking maybe we fly into Vegas, drive the 4+ hours to White Mtn, hike and enjoy the Bristlecone Pine trails for a few days then the map says it's 5 hours on to Sequoia. We would be based likely around Three Rivers for several days. Also thinking about driving to vineyards, either Paso Robles or elsewhere then flying back.

Does this sound like a good plan or should I change the approach?

Totally reasonable -- though it may take a bit longer to drive drive from say Bishop to Three Rivers. Late summer (or even early summer) is main forest fire season so you'll want to have a plan B in case there are active fires or bad air quality due to fires in other areas.

You can probably reserve a room for Three Rivers if you do it now. You can take the Sequoia Shuttle into the park and see the main sights.

Thanks for the advice!

Any idea about side trips for good wine, beer or food?

Have you looked into what visiting the Bristlecone Pine area entails? It's about an hour's drive from lodging in Bishop. (Big Pine is closer and has some lodging but almost no dining.) No gas, food or water along the access road to the BP forest, and cell service is limited. Plan accordingly. Some people have problems with the altitude (10,000'). You'll also need to check the status of this area after winter and spring weather impacts. When the forest is open April-Nov., it isn't open 7 days a week (closed Monday I think) and daily closing procedures begin before 4:00 p.m. Forest Service budget cuts could further reduce access.

Paso Robles gets very hot in summer months. We enjoy its many, many wineries but choose not to visit in the summer when it can be too hot to enjoy. (Call me a heat wimp.) Maybe Santa Ynez area instead... It could still be hot but a little less so.

There are craft breweries throughout the Central Coast area... Paso Robles (distilleries as well), San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara, and probably many other smaller towns as well.

I assume you're renting a car, picking up in Las Vegas and dropping... where? If not LV, you should find out how large the one-way rental surcharge will be. Car rental rates already seem to be much higher this year.

"Forest Service budget cuts could further reduce access." The Moderators felt compelled to drop some words from my post. I don't know if budget cuts are/will be in the works, but the new administration has indicated that will be the case in most federal agencies. Time will tell, but you'll need to check the website in April or May to know the forest's operational days and hours for summer 2025.

I hadn't thought about issues with the Forest Service. I'll look into it and if it's too iffy, I'll change the plan. I'm not sure Bristlecone Pines are worth the 10-ish hours of drivetime and the rental surcharge.

Has anyone here done the Bristlecone Pine area? I'm curious if they are worth it. Years ago we did the Redwoods and the rangers were fantastic, we learned so much and it was a great experience being under and around the Redwoods.

Well, personal preference/interests and all that, but I think the Bristlecone Pine Forest is fascinating. But I also think it would be better visited in conjunction with other fascinating things and beautiful sights throughout the Eastern Sierra which can encompass an entire trip itself. It's a generally underrated area.

Again, just me, but I'd rather stay IN Sequoia NP and/or Kings Canyon NP than in Three Rivers. Make a list of what you want to see in both parks and check driving times.

Yes I have been up to the White Mountains from Bishop, in April. The roads and trails should be open, weather permitting. It was a very snowy year when we went and those roads were open to the White Mountains. I stayed at a relatively decent Travelodge on Elm Street for a few nights. It's only 15 minutes between Bishop and Big Pine so it was easier to just stay in Bishop as there are more services.

Here is some information https://inyocountyvisitor.com/bristl...of%20discovery.

When up in the Eastern Sierra, it's worth stopping at Manzanar. And from the McDonald's in Lone Pine there is an excellent view of Mt. Whitney.

Gotcha, thanks for the tips, I'll look closely where to stay and I'll check out those Eastern Sierra ideas.

Other Eastern Sierra sights (north to south), but not all equal in "value":

Bodies Ghost Town
Mono Lake
June Lake Loop drive
Devil's Postpile
Obsidian Dome
Convict Lake
Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery
Fossil Falls

Alabama Hills

Check Sixt for NV>>CA rentals, they don’t charge a one-way fee.

Tom, I can't see a drop off location near Sequoia - do you know if they have on in Fresno or Bakersfield?

Sixt is unlikely to be anywhere that’s not a major airport. Is Fresno or Bakersfield really working out flightwise? Sometimes it’s easier just to drive to LAX or similar and fly home nonstop from there.

Ha! On a work trip I took a picture of Whitney from the rear of that McDonald’s, been there, done that.

Ha - that's funny. It that the McDonald's with the most scenic view in the world?

That would be highly unlikely . . . Sixt only has about 85 locations in the entire country. Only at places like major airports.