Distance: 7.8 miles (NPS)

My rating: moderate

Beautiful views

This is a nice hike that stays below 4000 feet, so it’s accessible for most of the year. You get some pretty good views while hiking through the canyon, and the rushing waterfall is at the end point.

See flat rock. Do handstand.

The trailhead is just a few miles into Sequoia National Park off Highway 198. There is a parking lot on the right, across from the Potwisha Campground. Walk across the road and straight through the campground (NPS says it’s by campsite #14).

California newt

The trail is straightforward and winds through areas of vegetation, and more exposed areas.  The grade is fairly steady along the ~3.5 miles to the waterfall.

I must have acquired my first reaction to poison oak on this trail, on the front of my ankle area. Interesting since I wore pants, never stepped off-trail, and the trail was never so narrow that I brushed by plants. So be aware, they’ll get cha!

In terms of other wildlife, we saw a newt. That was all on the hike. However, the park is full of deer, and there’s the occasional black bear spotting. Keep your eyes and ears peeled!

Serenity