Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park Bus Trip
June 21-25, 2023
THE SEQUOIA BUS TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO ROAD CLOSURES AND DANGEROUS TRAIL CONDITIONS IN SEQUOIA AND KINGS NATIONAL PARKS.
Explore Sequoia National Park with the San Diego Sierra Club. Choose a Base Camp or Backpack experience. Sequoia National Park is well known for its giant Sequoia trees and old growth forest. Trees at different elevations, Ponderosa, Jeffery, Sugar, and Lodgepole Pine.
The Park is also home to abundant wildlife: bobcats, foxes, and more. At higher altitudes you may see the reclusive Mountain Lion or Black Bear.
We will travel in a chartered, air-conditioned bus up to Sequoia National Park, camping at Cove Group Campground on Wednesday night. On Thursday through Saturday nights, basecamp participants will stay in the lovely Stoney Creek Campground, enjoying day hikes. Three backpacks are offered, hiking into Sequoia's backcountry which offers a vast expanse of high-alpine wonders. These are of varying levels of difficulty. This tent camping trip is for adults only who are in good health and physically fit. Participants must provide their own meals and equipment.
The Sequoia Bus Trip takes place on June 21st - June 25th, 2023. The cost of the trip is $375.
The Sequoia Bus Trip registration uses a Lottery system. The Lottery is now closed. If you registered for one of the outings on the Sequoia Bus Trip you have been notified of the results of the lottery, including instructions regarding when you will receive an invoice to pay for your trip.
You may sign up for the waitlist. If you are accepted on this trip you will receive an email from the Bus Trip Committee with further instructions.
You will be given the opportunity to sign up for all 4 trips. You will be able to select your first choice, second choice, third choice and fourth choice. If you only have one choice, just leave the other options blank.
Please note that trip itineraries may be cancelled or changed due to weather, logistics, and safety issues.
For questions, contact the Coordinator,Tanya Ingorvate, at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Visit our Trip Rating System to determine which Backpacking Trip or Day Hike is right for you.
Please, read our RESERVATION & REFUND POLICY before you sign up for the trip.
Space: Limited to 50 participants (including leaders and assistants)
Cost: $ 375.
Registration Opens:
** Pre-trip Meeting: Zoom Meeting Link to be sent to attendees.
Departure: Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Return: Sunday, June 25,2023
Trip 1
Basecamp with Day Hikes
Leaders: Alice Fichandler, Leslie Schultz, Kat Lineback, and Eyah Swambat
Trip Rating - varies
Event Capacity: (18 Total) 5 Leaders/Guests, 14 Participants
Trip 2
Alta Meadows Backpack
Leaders: Leader: Mike Fry, Assistant Leader: Rob Baum
Trip Rating: H7D
Event Capacity: 12 Total (2 leaders, 10 participants)
Number of Backpack days: 4, Number of Backpack miles 14,
Number of Day Hike miles: 7
Alta Meadows is at 9000', and has one of the finest views of anywhere in the Sierra. The Kaweah Peaks of the Great Western Divide are to the east, and Castle Rocks and Paradise Ridge are directly south. The Kaweah River is a vertical mile below us.
The hike starts at the old Wolverton Ski Area, and climbs 2000' over 7 miles. Depending on snow conditions, we may spend all 3 nights at Alta Meadow, or move camp to the Tablelands above Moose Lake. If the snow has melted, we can cross the Tablelands and return to the Wolverton TH via Pear Lake. Given the record 2023 snowpack, this is unlikely.
Our day hikes include climbing the trail to Alta Peak (11,204'), and cross country to Moose Lake. It is possible to see Mt. Whitney from Alta Peak, 21 air miles to the east.
If we can't cross the Tablelands, we will backpack through the Congress Sequoia Grove and meet our bus at the General Sherman Tree.
Trip 3
Jennie Lakes to Lodgepole Backpack
Leader: P J Jeffery, Assistant Leader: Bonnie Ferri
Trip Rating: M6D
Event Capacity: 10 Total (4 leaders/guest, 6 participants)
Number of Backpack days: 3, number of backpack miles, 16.
Number of day hike miles : 12 (Optional)
On Thursday our 6-mile Backpack leads us from Fox Meadow to Jennie Lakes (9000’) where we will camp for two nights. We will climb about 1700’ through Lodgepole Pines, Red and White Firs, and Ponderosa Pines. We will take this at a moderate pace as we acclimate to altitude. After setting up camp, we can head up to the top of the mountain for great views of Jennie Lakes and Kings Canyon National Park. Friday and day hike over to Weaver Lake by finding a cross-country route around Shell Mountain. (8 miles-+-1000'). Saturday we will pack up and head over to Clover Meadow (4 miles +700’/-1140” for our last night. After setting up camp, we will day hike to Twin Lakes (3 miles +-800’). Sunday we will pack up and get an early start to head down to Lodgepole to meet the bus, (5.5 miles +250’/-2099).
Trip 4
Twin Lakes Backpack
Leaders: Margaret Elizondo and Michael Taylor, Co-Leaders
Trip Rating: H9D
Event Capacity: 10 Total (2 Leaders, 8 participants)
Number of Backpacking Days: 2
Number of Backpacking miles 14-18
Number of Day Hiking miles: 10 (optional)
Starting from the Lodgepole Trailhead we will hike 7-9 miles uphill,(elevation gain 2700’ and set up camp around Twin Lakes which is at 9,500’. From this basecamp we will have two days to explore the area around Silliman Pass which is at an altitude of 10,180’, via steep but short trails and cross country routes.. The group will enjoy the views from Mount Silliman at 11,188’, and /or the alpine lake beyond the pass. All depending on conditions at that time. On our final day we will retrace our hike in and backpack out, down hill 7-9 miles and end back at Lodgepole trailhead.
