Commissary Curve: Crystal Cave Road branches away from the Generals Highway at a sharp bend named for the supply station that served men of the US Cavalry, who protected the park in the early 1900s before the creation of the NPS. Crystal Cave Road follows the upper course of the old Colony Mill Road for 6.4 miles to a parking lot for Sequoia’s only visitor-accessible cave tour. Tickets for the daily tours may be acquired at either the Foothills or Lodgepole Visitor Centers. The road to the cave is open only from mid-May to late October and is not recommended for vehicles longer than 22 feet.
The Four Guardsmen: Here the highway divides briefly to pass among four stately giant sequoias, which are each estimated to be more than 1,000 years old.
Giant Forest Village: The several-mile ascent from Middle Fork Kaweah River culminates in your arrival at Giant Forest Village, the center of human activity on the plateau. To the left is a short stretch of road to the visitor parking lot, a bus stop for the Moro Rock-Crescent Meadow shuttle, and access to the Beetle Rock Education Center. The center, operated by the Sequoia Natural History Association, is a hub for naturalist activities, NPS-sponsored meetings, outreach events, and the Family Nature Center.
On the right is the Moro Rock-Crescent Meadow Road, which leads to the namesake features plus several trailheads (see Trips 26–32). Although visitors may drive a private vehicle to either Moro Rock or Crescent Meadow, traffic jams on the narrow roads and crammed parking lots are persistent problems. Therefore, riding the free shuttle bus to these destinations is highly recommended.
Proceeding ahead on the Generals Highway, the Giant Forest Museum is the structure on the right, housed in the renovated old market building, originally designed by renowned architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood. The museum has interpretive exhibits and informational displays about the human and natural history of the Giant Forest. The museum also serves as a hub for several connecting trails of varying lengths leading into the heart of the forest (see Trips 33–39).
Round Meadow: The half-mile-long Big Trees Trail encircles Round Meadow, offering a short and leisurely hike past some prime examples of mature sequoias on a circuit around a flower-covered meadow. Interpretive signs and benches along the way offer an opportunity for a leisurely stroll. A small lot allows handicapped parking for the wheelchair-accessible trail. Everyone else must begin at the museum (see Trip 35).
Pinewood Picnic Area: As part of the Giant Forest’s restoration, this former employee-housing site was converted to a picnic area in 2000. The area is complete with picnic tables, grills, and restrooms. Group and handicapped-accessible sites are also available.
General Sherman: Handicapped parking and a shuttle stop occupy the former parking area for access to the General Sherman Tree, at more than 52,000 cubic feet, the world’s largest living organism. Giant sequoias grow only in areas with very specific soil, water, and climate conditions, and the Sherman Tree is located near the northern boundary of the Giant Forest. To visit the tree, either ride the free shuttle bus system, or continue driving on the Generals Highway to the Wolverton junction and then follow signs to the General Sherman Tree parking lot.
Wolverton Junction: Here Wolverton Road branches away from the Generals Highway and heads eastward. At 0.5 mile from the highway, a right turn eventually leads to the expansive General Sherman parking area (restrooms and shuttle bus stop). From there, a 0.4-mile paved path descends to the largest of the giant sequoias. Along the way, the path is imprinted with a cross section of the base of the Sherman Tree, which allows visitors to gain some understanding of the tree’s massive size. A gap in the forest here also allows photographers an unobstructed view of the tree. The popular Congress Trail continues beyond General Sherman (see Trip 39).
Continuing ahead from the General Sherman junction, Wolverton Road travels another mile to a large parking area near Wolverton Meadow, which serves as the trailhead for the Lakes and Panther Gap Trails (see Trips 42 and 43) and a connection to the Alta Trail (see Trips 40 and 41). During the winter, Wolverton is a center for winter recreation.
Wolverton Creek: A short distance beyond Wolverton Junction, the Generals Highway crosses Wolverton Creek, one of the tributaries of Marble Fork Kaweah River.
Lodgepole: Similar to the Giant Forest in elevation, the Lodgepole area maintains an entirely different feel, situated in a deep, glacier-carved canyon near the banks of Marble Fork Kaweah River. Although not usually common at elevations below 7,500 feet, lodgepole pines grace the forest in this relatively cool canyon and give the area its name. As the commercial and administrative center of Sequoia, Lodgepole boasts a visitor center, wilderness permit office, market, gift shop, snack bar, deli, laundry, shower facility, post office, picnic area, year-round campground, and the Walter Fry Nature Center. It is the trailhead for the Twin Lakes Trail and the popular 2-mile dayhike to Tokopah Falls (see Trips 44 and 45).
Marble Fork Bridge: Just past the Lodgepole junction, the Generals Highway crosses a bridge over Marble Fork Kaweah River and passes a service road to employee housing on the right and the serene Lodgepole Picnic Area on the left.
Silliman Creek: Another tributary of Marble Fork Kaweah River, Silliman Creek drains Silliman Lake near the south base of Silliman Peak.
Clover Creek: The highway crosses Clover Creek over a handsome arched bridge of hand-hewn stone. A small pullout on the left, upper side of the creek could be