Central Sierra Nevada Mountains

Central Sierra Nevada / Sequoia National Parks

From the Kern River to Kings River this southern stretch of Sierra Nevada is home to the southern most Sequoia groves, the longest river in California, and the granite dome wonderlands that overlook the Mojave Desert thousand of feet below. The Tehachapi range is on the tail end to the south w/ Hwy 58, while Kings Canyon Park borders more Wilderness to the north end of the Sierras. If you are heading up from SoCal, this is the most accessible portion of the Sierra Nevada range.

While the Kern River Valley can get hot in the summer months, the rivers, streams & higher elevations surrounding it, make it a prime destination for folks seeking cooler mountain breezes. Springtime is one of the best times of year to visit the Kern River.

Mountain Home State Forest is a little known haven for campers & hikers seeking Sequoias. With the Tule River, fishing ponds, waterfalls, swimming holes & meadows, this place provides a nice solitude to the busier parks to the north. Balch Park is a county park w/ large Campground, that sits adjacent to Mountain Home Forest.

Both National Parks are both busy in summer & tourists can be seen lining the Highway 198. Crystal Cave & Boyden Cavern both offer daily tours during the warmer months. Sequoia National Park is open during winter months & is popular among winter sports enthusiasts. Kings Canyon National Park & Hwy 180 are closed during winter, due to the steep grades, rock slides & icy conditions. Big Meadows Road (14S11) offers great camping options for those that wish to camp outside the park boundaries.

Sequoia groves