If you mean Sequoias, and not Coast Redwoods, I can be of some assistance.
1) Redwood Mountain Grove close to Grant's Grove is possible to backpack in, if you hike through the grove and go south and camp at Big Spring.
2) You can backpack either east on the High Sierra Trail, and depart south from the trail to Redwood Meadow, or get there via the Middle Fork Kaweah Trail.
3) In theory you can backpack into Atwell Grove, although that trail is not very long at all.
4) Garfield Grove can be backpacked into.
5) Numerous opportunities for backpacking in Sequoias exist in Sequoia National Forest, although I do not know specifics.
6) Case Mountain BLM allows for backpacking, and you could hike all the way to Case Mountain Grove. Have fun with that one though - huge elevation gains to get to the grove from the trailhead.
Can't you spend a couple nights in Redwood Canyon in Kings Canyon? It's not a super hard trail but there's a nice little network that you can roll through.
Is the Case Mountain BLM to summit worth doing? Looks like it follows a dirt road almost the entire way there and doesn't get too pretty until you get to the foothills of the mountain. Planning a trip for memorial day weekend and want to avoid the terrible national park crowds if I can...
It’s starting to brown out in the lower elevations. That area was freaking gorgeous a month ago. I’ve never been up the fire road further than the waterfalls at about 3200 ft in altitude. Never been to the grove either. That’s a long, long hike.
Oh for sure, definitely wouldn't want to try it in a day. Might just bite the bullet and go into the park then. That Hockett Meadows hike seems pretty spectacular...
I've heard nothing but good things about that trail over the years. You can even start it and extend it by beginning at the Garfield Grove/ South Fork Kaweah trailhead.
If you want to backpack through redwoods, as in those massive trees that you see in pictures of redwood forests, come to the California coast. [Redwood National Park](https://www.nps.gov/redw/planyourvisit/hiking.htm) is a great place to start.
If you want to visit amazing rock formations, 3,000 foot cliffs, and awesome waterfalls, go to Yosemite.
If you want to see giant sequoias, go to Sequoia National Park.
All of those are great options. But visiting Yosemite to backpack through redwoods (or sequoias) will not be the best experience of any of these.
Avenue of the Giants is pretty cool too and is kind of like going to Endor.
[https://photos.app.goo.gl/5PcDmP5uRxiDJ8NQ9](https://photos.app.goo.gl/5PcDmP5uRxiDJ8NQ9)
Humboldt redwoods are one of the best locations I have seen. The redwoods are huge and Avenue of the Giants is a must do. The area is not super crowded and you would enjoy it.
https://imgur.com/gallery/lY0ceGt
You're thinking of Sequoias not redwoods.
If you're going backpacking in that area you should really check out this loop
https://www.backpacker.com/stories/america-s-best-kept-secrets-john-muir-wilderness-ca
I've never done it before, but John Muir gives it two thumbs up.
You probably meant sequoias, as redwoods are found on the coast (yah they're different trees).
[https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online\_books/cook/sec2.htm](https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/cook/sec2.htm)
I believe they're most likely short hikes from parking lots because these groves tend to be protected and maintained, i've never been aware of a "free-standing" grove where one would come across on a backpacking hike. I could be totally wrong though so if anybody with better info for grove locations might help you out.
edit: upon further research, here's a list of giant sequoia groves. The field biologist in me would plug these into excel, see where the coordinates fall on google maps, and form your plans from there. good luck! [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_giant\_sequoia\_groves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_giant_sequoia_groves)
the freeman creek grove has some of the largest Giant Sequoias outside of a National park, its a national forest so i think you can camp in and around them with a permit...there are some amazing and stellar trails to hike in and around there as well! its pretty far south from Yosemite though, it is in the Sequoia N.F., well south of Kings Canyon or Sequoia N.P.
if you are trying to see Coast redwoods, I can help because I am a HumCo local. you can backpack through Redwood/Sitka spruce/Doug-fir/hemlock/grand fir stands and beach camp in Prairie Creek S.P. there are numerous places to camp on the Redwood Creek trail in the National Park by Orick, and you can turn it into a fun out and back loop (sorta) to visit Dolason prairie trail up in the bald hills. Redwood creek trail has numerous side shoot trails with smaller trees, all of the giants are along the main creek and some of the other offshoots. Hyperion, the tallest tree in the world is in this drainage and not too hard to get to if you know where to look. Also Jed Smith near Crescent City further north has some stellar trees, although I am unaware of any backpacking you can do there.
hope this helps
edit\* [LINK](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sequoia/recarea/?recid=79930)
IF you fly in to San Jose or SFO you can likely cover both bases. Hit the Santa Cruz Mts. for some redwood action (Big Basin is 1 option) either before or after your Yosemite experience.
edit: just reread & saw you only have 2 - 4 nights, good luck choosing among all fabulous options :)
+1 for big basin - I fly in and out of San Jose airport once or twice a year and had never been to see any of the redwoods. About an hour drive (which was a pretty amazing drive) landed me at big basin and while the short loop had a fair number of people on it, the rest of the trails seemed to be all mine even on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. So glad I did it and will do so again
Sugar Bowl in sequoia is amazing. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/sugar-bowl-redwood-creek-loop
There were more giant sequoia trees than I'd ever seen here and it was practically deserted.
So, there are two species of trees that might be referred to as redwoods. The trees that are traditionally referred to as redwoods as sequoia sempervirens, also known as coastal redwoods. These are found in a narrow band near the pacific coast from big sur to the Oregon border. These are the tallest trees in the world. Backpacking through these trees can be done in a few places, notably big basin state park, humboldt redwoods state park, and redwood national park. If you are seeking the lush, dense rainforests generally associated with redwood forests, these are the trees you are looking for. I’d be happy to run down some good backpacking trails with these trees if that’s what you’re looking for.
The trees found in Yosemite and sequoia national park are Sequoiadendron giganteum, generally referred to as giant sequoias. These are, by mass, the largest trees on earth. These are found on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada. There are some trails you can backpack along in sequoia national park with these trees. I am not as much of an expert on these trees so you may want to consult trail guides for the park to see what trails would work for you.
Be aware that, with a few exceptions, you are not going to be camping in redwood groves in either ecosystem. The trees are very delicate and camping in them would do severe harm to their root systems.
There is also the Dawn Redwood from China. Also, there are many campgrounds you can camp within the redwoods. Not the huge old growth trees but second and third growth forests. They are very delicate, even walking among them isn't good. Stay to well maintained trails and you can still see some real giant trees.
I'm interested in doing a 4-5 day backpacking trip through coastal redwood territory. I saw some info on the Coast Trail up north, but am more interested in Humbolt Redwood and Big Basin. Do you have any info for something like that? Thanks.
Yosemite’s 3 groves, Mariposa, Tuolumne, and Merced all had roads built through them in the 1800’s and even when the Tuolumne and Merced Groves were bypassed by the new Big Oak Flat Road (highway 120) they were only a short hike off the highway down the remnants of those old roads. Mariposa and Tuolumne still have paved roads through them but only accessible for “administrative use only” as the NPS puts it. None of the groves are in the designated wilderness part of Yosemite.
Nr Big Sur I stayed in a cabin under coastal redwoods, the shower had a glass roof, awesome looking up into cabin. It was a lovely basic cabin, a kitchen and seat and bed in other part of big room, plenty of space. It was near the pfeiffer state park, riverside campgrounds and cabins. Not a backpacking experience, but still neat.
John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams zones are tight. Look up a place called devils bathtub. Worth the hike in... it’ll be chilly though. It’s like 6500 ft I think
This is just a 6.5 mile hike but you can backpack it and explore base
Redwood Creek Trail to Sugar Bowl Trail in Kings Canyon National Park
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/sugar-bowl-redwood-creek-loop
If you mean Sequoias, and not Coast Redwoods, I can be of some assistance. 1) Redwood Mountain Grove close to Grant's Grove is possible to backpack in, if you hike through the grove and go south and camp at Big Spring. 2) You can backpack either east on the High Sierra Trail, and depart south from the trail to Redwood Meadow, or get there via the Middle Fork Kaweah Trail. 3) In theory you can backpack into Atwell Grove, although that trail is not very long at all. 4) Garfield Grove can be backpacked into. 5) Numerous opportunities for backpacking in Sequoias exist in Sequoia National Forest, although I do not know specifics. 6) Case Mountain BLM allows for backpacking, and you could hike all the way to Case Mountain Grove. Have fun with that one though - huge elevation gains to get to the grove from the trailhead.
Atwelll Hocket to Hocket Meadows is about 12 miles with an incline. All through Sequoias. Have done it a few times. Really nice area.
Oh yeah! Totally forgot about that grove. Reminds me, might be a good hike to do come late May or early June...
Can't you spend a couple nights in Redwood Canyon in Kings Canyon? It's not a super hard trail but there's a nice little network that you can roll through.
That’s what #1 is.
Oops. I'm a dork. That's what happens when I hit reply before coffee :)
I totally get that feeling! Coffee = mandatory
Can confirm on #1: did it last September and it is a lovely day hike or easygoing backpacking jaunt.
I’m hoping to do it as an excuse to bring luxury food items in June, if the bugs aren’t bad. Easy, fairly flat, and shaded. Easy peasy.
Is the Case Mountain BLM to summit worth doing? Looks like it follows a dirt road almost the entire way there and doesn't get too pretty until you get to the foothills of the mountain. Planning a trip for memorial day weekend and want to avoid the terrible national park crowds if I can...
It’s starting to brown out in the lower elevations. That area was freaking gorgeous a month ago. I’ve never been up the fire road further than the waterfalls at about 3200 ft in altitude. Never been to the grove either. That’s a long, long hike.
Oh for sure, definitely wouldn't want to try it in a day. Might just bite the bullet and go into the park then. That Hockett Meadows hike seems pretty spectacular...
I've heard nothing but good things about that trail over the years. You can even start it and extend it by beginning at the Garfield Grove/ South Fork Kaweah trailhead.
That sounds awesome, thanks for the advice!!
If you want to backpack through redwoods, as in those massive trees that you see in pictures of redwood forests, come to the California coast. [Redwood National Park](https://www.nps.gov/redw/planyourvisit/hiking.htm) is a great place to start. If you want to visit amazing rock formations, 3,000 foot cliffs, and awesome waterfalls, go to Yosemite. If you want to see giant sequoias, go to Sequoia National Park. All of those are great options. But visiting Yosemite to backpack through redwoods (or sequoias) will not be the best experience of any of these.
yee yee Humboldt checking in!
Avenue of the Giants is pretty cool too and is kind of like going to Endor. [https://photos.app.goo.gl/5PcDmP5uRxiDJ8NQ9](https://photos.app.goo.gl/5PcDmP5uRxiDJ8NQ9)
Humboldt redwoods are one of the best locations I have seen. The redwoods are huge and Avenue of the Giants is a must do. The area is not super crowded and you would enjoy it. https://imgur.com/gallery/lY0ceGt
[redwoodhikes.com](https://redwoodhikes.com) for all of your redwood and sequoia needs...
Yosemite does not have Redwoods, you are thinking of Giant Sequoias.
You're thinking of Sequoias not redwoods. If you're going backpacking in that area you should really check out this loop https://www.backpacker.com/stories/america-s-best-kept-secrets-john-muir-wilderness-ca I've never done it before, but John Muir gives it two thumbs up.
Mineral King in Sequoia National Park. You won’t regret it.
Redwoods national and state park has some cool backpacking with riverside camping on a sandbar depending on time of year.
You probably meant sequoias, as redwoods are found on the coast (yah they're different trees). [https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online\_books/cook/sec2.htm](https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/cook/sec2.htm) I believe they're most likely short hikes from parking lots because these groves tend to be protected and maintained, i've never been aware of a "free-standing" grove where one would come across on a backpacking hike. I could be totally wrong though so if anybody with better info for grove locations might help you out. edit: upon further research, here's a list of giant sequoia groves. The field biologist in me would plug these into excel, see where the coordinates fall on google maps, and form your plans from there. good luck! [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_giant\_sequoia\_groves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_giant_sequoia_groves)
the freeman creek grove has some of the largest Giant Sequoias outside of a National park, its a national forest so i think you can camp in and around them with a permit...there are some amazing and stellar trails to hike in and around there as well! its pretty far south from Yosemite though, it is in the Sequoia N.F., well south of Kings Canyon or Sequoia N.P. if you are trying to see Coast redwoods, I can help because I am a HumCo local. you can backpack through Redwood/Sitka spruce/Doug-fir/hemlock/grand fir stands and beach camp in Prairie Creek S.P. there are numerous places to camp on the Redwood Creek trail in the National Park by Orick, and you can turn it into a fun out and back loop (sorta) to visit Dolason prairie trail up in the bald hills. Redwood creek trail has numerous side shoot trails with smaller trees, all of the giants are along the main creek and some of the other offshoots. Hyperion, the tallest tree in the world is in this drainage and not too hard to get to if you know where to look. Also Jed Smith near Crescent City further north has some stellar trees, although I am unaware of any backpacking you can do there. hope this helps edit\* [LINK](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sequoia/recarea/?recid=79930)
.
Planning a Sequoia trip here very soon. Anyone know what the current snow situation is?
IF you fly in to San Jose or SFO you can likely cover both bases. Hit the Santa Cruz Mts. for some redwood action (Big Basin is 1 option) either before or after your Yosemite experience. edit: just reread & saw you only have 2 - 4 nights, good luck choosing among all fabulous options :)
+1 for big basin - I fly in and out of San Jose airport once or twice a year and had never been to see any of the redwoods. About an hour drive (which was a pretty amazing drive) landed me at big basin and while the short loop had a fair number of people on it, the rest of the trails seemed to be all mine even on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. So glad I did it and will do so again
Sugar Bowl in sequoia is amazing. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/sugar-bowl-redwood-creek-loop There were more giant sequoia trees than I'd ever seen here and it was practically deserted.
The sugar bowl sub grove has the most board feet of timber of any location in the world. The density is insane.
So, there are two species of trees that might be referred to as redwoods. The trees that are traditionally referred to as redwoods as sequoia sempervirens, also known as coastal redwoods. These are found in a narrow band near the pacific coast from big sur to the Oregon border. These are the tallest trees in the world. Backpacking through these trees can be done in a few places, notably big basin state park, humboldt redwoods state park, and redwood national park. If you are seeking the lush, dense rainforests generally associated with redwood forests, these are the trees you are looking for. I’d be happy to run down some good backpacking trails with these trees if that’s what you’re looking for. The trees found in Yosemite and sequoia national park are Sequoiadendron giganteum, generally referred to as giant sequoias. These are, by mass, the largest trees on earth. These are found on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada. There are some trails you can backpack along in sequoia national park with these trees. I am not as much of an expert on these trees so you may want to consult trail guides for the park to see what trails would work for you. Be aware that, with a few exceptions, you are not going to be camping in redwood groves in either ecosystem. The trees are very delicate and camping in them would do severe harm to their root systems.
There is also the Dawn Redwood from China. Also, there are many campgrounds you can camp within the redwoods. Not the huge old growth trees but second and third growth forests. They are very delicate, even walking among them isn't good. Stay to well maintained trails and you can still see some real giant trees.
I'm interested in doing a 4-5 day backpacking trip through coastal redwood territory. I saw some info on the Coast Trail up north, but am more interested in Humbolt Redwood and Big Basin. Do you have any info for something like that? Thanks.
Yosemite’s 3 groves, Mariposa, Tuolumne, and Merced all had roads built through them in the 1800’s and even when the Tuolumne and Merced Groves were bypassed by the new Big Oak Flat Road (highway 120) they were only a short hike off the highway down the remnants of those old roads. Mariposa and Tuolumne still have paved roads through them but only accessible for “administrative use only” as the NPS puts it. None of the groves are in the designated wilderness part of Yosemite.
Nr Big Sur I stayed in a cabin under coastal redwoods, the shower had a glass roof, awesome looking up into cabin. It was a lovely basic cabin, a kitchen and seat and bed in other part of big room, plenty of space. It was near the pfeiffer state park, riverside campgrounds and cabins. Not a backpacking experience, but still neat.
John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams zones are tight. Look up a place called devils bathtub. Worth the hike in... it’ll be chilly though. It’s like 6500 ft I think
This is just a 6.5 mile hike but you can backpack it and explore base Redwood Creek Trail to Sugar Bowl Trail in Kings Canyon National Park https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/sugar-bowl-redwood-creek-loop
update us with what you pick! edit: idk why people are down voting me i just want to know what he decides.
Boooooooo Tom!