The week between Christmas and New 12 months is a well-liked time to go to Sequoia and Kings Canyon nationwide parks.
Nonetheless, seasonal closures and the potential for winter climate can complicate a go to. That is why a fastidiously deliberate journey is essential to making sure a secure and enjoyable journey to the nationwide parks.
Listed below are a number of journey ideas and warnings for these visiting the parks this vacation season.
Tire chains and cables
Freeway entry to the enormous sequoias and snow play areas might be restricted a lot this week as crews work to clear roadways, amenities, and parking tons.
All guests to the sequoias within the coming weeks ought to anticipate that there will likely be some stage of tire chain restrictions in place. Guests who arrive with out them might be requested to show round and despatched again down the hill.
All automobiles are required to hold tire chains or cables in all chain management areas. Park rangers decide tire chain restrictions at an R1, R2, or R3 stage. At R1, tire chains or cables have to be put in if the automobile would not have snow or all-season tires. At R2, tire chains or cables have to be put in until the automobile has snow tires and AWD/4WD. At R3, all automobiles are required to put in their tire chains or cables.
The velocity restrict in chain management zones is 25 mph, even when marked in any other case. A number of rollovers have been just lately reported within the parks as a result of guests have been driving too quick.
For tire chain data, together with a useful video on putting in them, and tips about winter driving within the parks, go to www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/winter_driving.htm.
Site visitors and shuttles
Nationwide Park Service officers “strongly discourages” guests from trying to journey within the parks throughout an lively snowstorm.
Keep away from prolonged waits on the entrance stations by arriving earlier than 9 a.m. or after 2 p.m. Carry water, snacks, a full tank of fuel, heat layers, and waterproof sneakers. Seasonal closure of some parking areas implies that accessible parking will likely be in excessive demand.
The free Sequoia Shuttle will likely be working within the Big Forest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by New 12 months’s day. Guests are inspired to spend their day within the Big Forest utilizing this service. Shuttle routes and occasions could be discovered within the park newspaper on the entrance station or go.nps.gov/sequoiashuttle.
Closures
The part of the Generals Freeway that connects the parks, between Quail Flat and Wuksachi Lodge, is closed.
Different seasonal closures:
- Moro Rock/Crescent Meadow Street
- Freeway 180 previous the Hume Lake Junction
- Mineral King
Snowplay areas
The parks have designated snow play areas, however guests shoule be looking out for rocks, bushes, and different objects hidden within the snow.
The paths to Normal Grant and Normal Sherman Bushes are the one trails the place snow is cleared, however they’re typically very icy. Park rangers suggest traction gadgets for sneakers. Different trails could also be extra pleasurable with snowshoes or cross-country skis.
- Sequoia Nationwide Park: Wolverton Snowplay Space within the Big Forest
- Kings Canyon Nationwide Park: Large Stump and Columbine picnic areas in Grant Grove
- Sequoia Nationwide Forest: Quail Flat and Cherry Hole trailheads close to Grant Grove
Campgrounds and lodging
Campsites are extraordinarily restricted throughout the winter season, based on park officers.
Websites in Potwisha Campground (Sequoia Nationwide Park) have to be reserved by Recreation.gov. Websites in Azalea Campground (Kings Canyon Nationwide Park) are first-come, first-served through the winter months. Campers at Azalea ought to plan for snow and winter situations.
All meals, scented objects, and coolers have to be saved accurately in meals storage lockers. Bears are lively within the foothills.
For availability at Wuksachi Lodge, go to www.visitsequoia.com. John Muir Lodge is presently closed.
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