Log Meadow Loop
Sequoia National Park, July 4, 2002
 The
Senate Group |
 Cool
mountain stream |
 Look
what Nan did! |
 Tharp's
Log |
 Doe,
a deer... |
 Circle
Meadow |
We drove through the early morning to Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park on the 4th of July. After going on a short cave walk (Crystal Cave), we drove to the General Sherman parking lot and embarked on a 6 mile hike through the giant sequoia forest. The hike started out on a paved path that climbed gradually through the open forest. Since we were getting hungry, we stopped for a small lunch on the top of a fallen tree near a small, cold stream.
We continued on the path and reached a junction with the Alta Trail. The trail wasn't what the book had said, so we turned right and followed the Alta Trail to the Chief Sequoyah tree.
This brought us back to the path in the book, but our way was blocked by a rope and a sign warning of dangerous fire conditions.
We took an alternate route through the trees that took us past many huge, fire scarred trees.
The path crossed several hills and led us past Circle Meadow. Apparently this used to be a lake that filled in over the years and became a meadow. Eventually as the water drains out of this swampy meadow, it will be covered with trees.
Along the path we came across a doe that stopped to check us out. When I looked back to take a picture, she ran off.
Eventually we ended up at Tharp's Log, a fire hollowed log that where Hale Tharp lived. He was the first white man to live in the area and "discovered" Giant Forest. He lived in this cabin for 29 summers and grazed his livestock in the meadows of the forest.
There were lots of interesting named trees along the path. The trail took us past a cabin used by some cattlemen who slaughtered cattle in the Circle Meadow.
Overall, the hike was quiet and peaceful, but the book we had bought on Sequoia led us astray. Still it was a nice hike through breathtaking scenery. I might recommend doing a couple of smaller hikes around these groves rather than the 6 miler.
Last edited: 05/13/2003