General Grant Tree Trail
The girls wanted to come camp near Kings Canyon National Park for one big reason: they wanted to earn their second set of Junior Ranger badges. So, we picked up the junior ranger workbook at the visitor center and drove to the General Grant Tree Trail.
The hike was an easy and short trail that is fully paved. The girls had a great time at stopping by every bench we saw for ten or so minutes, so that they could complete two to three worksheets at each one. By the time we left the General Grant Tree, the girls had earned their badges that they so desperately wanted. Because of COVID restrictions, the ranger gave us the badges early (usually, you have to go back to the visitor center to turn in the workbook)—I was able to pin it on them once we were back in the car.
I’ve been to this trail a half a dozen times in my life, but for the first time, I discovered a tree-tunnel (like the Fallen Monarch tree at the beginning of the trail) that laid sloped north-east of the General Grant Tree. We found a bunch of kids sliding down the insides of the tree, and we followed course.
What I Learned:
Following the laughter of other children can lead you to really fun and interesting spots.
The rangers were so generous and kind in trusting us to complete the workbooks by giving us the badges without checking for work. We didn’t let them down.
We had come to this trail before with other kids, but this was the first time my kids were interested in the Giant Sequoia trees. For some reason, this was the trip that made them understand (at least to some degree) the magnificence of these giants and why they were so special from other trees.
Hike Review:
This trail is as easy as they come. Sure there’s a small elevation gain, but it’s fully paved.
It’s the easiest way I know of walking among multiple Giant Sequoia trees (living, cut, and not-fully-decayed).
The crowd favorite was the fallen tree tunnel that you can slide down.