Big trees and no crowds.. is it possible?

[maiathebee]

Hi everyone. I'm new here. I tried a search for the question I was interested in but couldn't find an answer. What I'd like to know is:

What's the best way to see some gorgeous giant Sequoias whilst avoiding the Disneyland feeling of the Mariposa grove?

My partner and I are doing 3-day backpacking trip in the Ansel Adams Wilderness and we're thinking of driving through Yosemite on our way back to the bay area. He's never been to Yosemite or SEKI (though I have) and I'd like to show him some Really Big Trees. But for us a big part of making the trek down there is to get away from swarms of people (get enough of that at home!)... So, I was wondering if there is a good day hike or even one- or two-nighter that would let us see some really impressive trees and really unimpressive crowds.

Any input would be welcome!

Potentially useful facts: We are early 30's, fit, experienced hikers and backpackers. I have good route-finding and off-trail skills, he is a bit more of a novice. We are both comfortable with off-trail scrambling (class 2-3), but not with anything that requires technical climbing. A half-day trip of about 5-7 miles would be super, but we are willing to do a longer day hike if that's what it takes. Or even to backpack again if there is something super duper!

[dan]

Hi everyone. I'm new here. I tried a search for the question I was interested in but couldn't find an answer. What I'd like to know is:
What's the best way to see some gorgeous giant Sequoias whilst avoiding the Disneyland feeling of the Mariposa grove?

The Sequoias are in the front country, no need to backpack.

Here's what you can do:

1) See Mariposa Grove in the off-season. Mid-September to Mid-May, nobody is there, except for some Holiday weekends. The tram is not operating and you have to walk, sometimes in from a locked gate, but no crowds.

2) See Merced Grove. Smaller, but fewer people. You can also see Tuolumne Grove, but I prefer Merced Grove--a little bit larger.

3) Nothing beats the Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park. It's big. To avoid crowds, stay away from the General Sherman tree and Congress trail (except in off-season). There's hundreds of acres of trails and you'll be alone, mostly.

[maiathebee]

Excellent. Thanks! I've been toying with the idea of a winter trip to Yosemite anyway, so here's another good reason I think we'll skip the big trees this time around---Ansel Adams to SEKI is quite a drive.

[jeremg4]

Big trees and no crowds?

The perfect place for that is Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest. Located outside of Springville Ca off CA-190. The 45 minute drive on the 18 mile Balch Park Road makes this a place virtually no one goes to except the locals. During the summer camping season it will be busy in the campgrounds, but you will have no tour buses gift shops and such.

Does it have big trees? Sure does. John Muir described the Sequoia groves as "the finest in the Sierras". Several very good day hikes can be done from the handful of campgrounds inside the forest. Camping is first come first serve but I have never had a problem finding a spot and i have been going for years.

Please don't tell anyone its a locals secret

http://www.tularecountytreasures.org/mo ... est-v.html

[AlmostThere]

You can backpack into Redwood Canyon - the road is only open when the snow melts off it. No campfires allowed, but a nice short trip in Kings Canyon.

You can also view Sequoias in McKinley Grove, on the way to trailheads at Courtright or Wishon - the road goes right through it.

You can visit sequoias at Nelder Grove - a short winding drive from Oakhurst, just south of Yosemite's south entrance, where the Mariposa Grove is.

There are backpack-able Sequoias out at Redwood Meadow in Sequoia NP. There are more along the Garfield - Hockett trail out of Three Rivers.

Tons of awesome places to visit where the crowds are nil.