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Trail Of 100 Giants Trail (Long Meadow Grove)
Trail of 100 Giants offers an easy, accessible walk through the Long Meadow Grove, one of our area's premier groves of giant sequoias. Along the trail, you'll see impressively large giant sequoia trees, estimated up to 1,500 years old. A 1.3-mile paved trail has several loop options with interpretive signs for some highlights. Located on the Western Divide Highway (M 107), facilities include a paved parking area, restrooms, a picnic area, and Redwood Meadow Campground nearby. A $12.00 per vehicle fee is charged to help maintain and improve these facilities. The roads leading to the trail are typically closed by snow during the winter months. (November thru April)
On April 15, 2000, President William J. Clinton proclaimed the establishment of the Giant Sequoia National Monument and announced beneath one of the giant trees at the Trail of 100 Giants. The grove contains approximately 125 giant sequoias greater than 10 feet in diameter and more than 700 giant sequoias less than 10 feet in diameter. The largest tree in the grove has a diameter of 20 feet and is 220 feet tall. The grove defined by the outermost giant sequoia trees covers 341 acres. It is estimated that the ages of larger giant sequoia trees in the grove are up to 1,500 years old.
A notable site along the trail is where two giant sequoias fell on Friday, September 30, 2011. The two trees had grown together at the base, appearing as one for approximately the first 30 feet. Then, during the winter of 2018-2019, another large tree fell across these trees, damaging the newly constructed boardwalk. In 2021, the Windy Fire burned through the area, destroying the boardwalk; work is ongoing to re-construct this portion of the loop trail.
This trail is ONLY accessible by road during the summer months, weather-dependent, due to annual closures by Tulare County. The trail is located on Western Divide Highway (107) across from Redwood Meadow Campground and the Trail of 100 Giants parking area. The trail is about an hour's drive (45 miles) northwest of Kernville, a 90-minute drive (41 miles) southeast of Springville, and a 30-minute drive (15 miles) northeast of California Hot Springs.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | Weather dependent |
|---|---|
| Fees: | $12 per vehicle/day |
| Open Season: | End of May - Nov 15 |
| Restrictions: | It is best to visit in the summer when the road is open, or in the winter by snowmobile. The Grove is primarily located on the west side of the road, directly across from Redwood Meadow Campground. |
| Closest Towns: | How to Get There: You can reach Long Meadow Grove from the San Joaquin Valley Highway 99 by taking State Highway 65 to County Route SM56 east about 20 miles to California Hot Springs. At California Hot Springs continue north and east on County Route SM50 (Parker Pass Road). This highway winds up into the mountains and intersects Western Divide Highway about 2 miles east of Parker Pass Turn left on SM99 to Trail of 100 Giants and Redwood Meadow Campground. Coming out of the Kern Valley, take Mountain 99 (County Route SM99) up the "Upper Kern" river about 20 miles to County Route SM50 near Johnsondale. Stay on SM99 for about 5.5 miles west of Johnsondale is the junction with Western Divide Highway (County Route SM107) near Parker Pass (right). Take Western Divide Highway about 2.0 miles to Redwood Meadow Campground and Trail of 100 Giants. |
General Information
Accessibility:This gentle trail (6% maximum grade) is paved and suitable for wheel chairs.
General Notes:
Handouts: Long Meadow Grove (PDF - 196k)
Trail of 100 Giants (PDF - 237k)
Trail of 100 Giants Interpretive Tour Guide (PDF - 100k) New Guide Coming Soon
Nearby Campgrounds: Redwood Meadow Campground (GPS NAD 83: 35.97778, -118.59167)
Elevation: 6,400 feet
Difficulty (hiking): Easy - 30 minutes
Facilities: Available at Redwood Meadow Campground
Many fine interpretive signs are found throughout. Hiking along the trail through the grove, you'll find mainly old sequoias. You will view a unique cedar and sequoia tree growing together, and a circle of five sequoias growing together. At each and every turn there are wonders to behold!
Directions:
From Kernville, take County Mtn. 99 22 miles north to Johnsondale. Continue west on Mtn. 50 7 miles to 107 and turn right (north). Travel 2-1/2 miles to Trail of 100 Giants parking area or Redwood Meadow Campground. Travel time is about 1-1/2 hrs.
From Bakersfield, take Hwy 65 north to Avenue 56 and turn east to Ducor and Fountain Springs. At Fountain Springs continue straight on M56 through California Hot Springs. Pass the Hot Springs Ranger Station and continue up the mountain stopping at the intersection of 107 approximately one mile beyond Parker Pass. Turn left (north) on 107 and drive 2-1/2 miles. Travel time is about 1-1/2 hrs.
From Porterville, take Hwy 190 east through Springville (you will pass the Western Divide Ranger Station). Hwy 190 will turn into Western Divide Highway near Quaking Aspen, and head south. From Quaking Aspen, the driving distance is about 13 miles. Travel time from Springville is about 1-1/2 hrs.