Climbing and Caving

Climbing

Part of the fun of climbing is discovering the secret routes or places no one has been before. With over 1 million acres to explore, you better believe there are some granite secrets locked away within the Sequoia National Forest and the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Well known areas for climbing include the Needles and the Domeland Wilderness, specifically Church Dome.

Caving

Explore a magnificent cavern with many varieties of natural speleothems, including rare “shield” formations. 45-minute tour available daily and suitable for the entire family. Caving is limited on the Sequoia National Forest. Please stay out of unmarked caves or old mines as they can be extremely dangerous.

Caving

Hume Lake Ranger District

Boyden Cavern

Kern River Ranger District

Packsaddle Cave at the end of Packsaddle Trail.

Rock Climbing

32E22 The Needles Lookout trail is 2.5 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 21S05 and ends at the rock formations referred to as "Needles." The Needles Fire Lookout Tower, which sat on top of a spire referred to as “The Magician” was destroyed in a structure fire on July 28, 2011. No one was injured in this tragic event. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking and stock use. Trailhead is 2.5 miles from Western Divide Hwy at the end of Needles Road (21S05). The trail follows the northern slope of Needles Ridge and offers spectacular views stretching all the way to Mt. Whitney. There is no water on this trail. Due to recent fires and flooding, the trail may have washouts, downed trees, and intermittently disappear.

Area impacted by the fire. Trail not recently maintained.