Sequoia National Forest (U.S. Forest Service, Lake Isabella Station)

Overview

The Sequoia is one of nineteen National Forests in California. It takes its name from the giant sequoia, the world's largest tree, which grows in more than 30 groves on the forest's lower slopes. The Sequoia's landscape is as spectacular as its trees. Soaring granite monoliths, glacier-torn canyons, roaring whitewater, and more await your discovery at the Sierra Nevada's southern end. Elevations range from 1,000 feet in the foothill region to peaks over 12,000 feet in the rugged high country, providing visitors with some of the most spectacular views of mountainous landscape in the entire west.

Hikers, off-highway vehicle users, and horseback riders have over 1,500 miles of maintained roads, 1000 miles of abandoned roads, and 850 miles of trails in the forest available for their use and enjoyment. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, which stretches 2,600 miles from Canada to Mexico, crosses the Sequoia National Forest for approximately 78 miles. The three National Recreation Trails in the forest are: Summit, Cannell Meadow, and Jackass Creek. Other points of interest on the forest include: Hume Lake, Chicago Stump, Cannell Meadow Station, Kern River, Kings River, Dome Rock and Needles. The Sequoia contains portions of six designated wilderness areas: Kiavah, Monarch, South Sierra, Dome Land, Jennie Lakes and Golden Trout. Specific winter activity areas accessible by highway are: Hume Lake Ranger District at Cherry Gap and Quail Flat; Tule River Ranger District in the vicinity of Quaking Aspen Campground; and Greenhorn Ranger District at Greenhorn Summit.

The Sequoia National Forest offers a huge range of outdoor recreation activities. The trails offer hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The many developed campgrounds or dispersed areas provide the full range of camping experiences. The rivers, lakes and reservoirs offer boating, fishing, water-skiing, swimming, whitewater rafting, and kayaking. In the winter, the high elevations provide downhill skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

Elevation plays a major role in temperature and precipitation on the Sequoia National Forest. This precipitation falls mainly from October through April. At higher elevations, much of it comes in the form of snow. Winter temperatures well below freezing and summer temperatures above 100 degrees indicate the normal seasonal spread. Clouds can build up during the summer to produce thunderstorm activity. It is wise to pack for any season when venturing into the high country, with clothing that can be ready to peel off or add on as the thermometer dictates. Always include some kind of rain gear