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H2oSprt's avatar
H2oSprt
Explorer
Oct 13, 2015

Sequoia's and Crystal Cave by Truck Camper

I'm planning a trip to the Sequoia's and noticed there is a 22'limit on some roads, and I'm just over that at 23'. I noticed some roads in the park, specifically the one that goes to Crystal Cave has the 22' foot limit. Anyone been there? Tips on getting around this? I guess I could drop the camper and drive the truck to the cave. Any thoughts would be great!

Thanks
  • I am quite familiar with Sequoia NP having served as a volunteer there. Your camper will probably be OK on 198 through the Ash Grove entrance, although I always needed to use 180 because I Was either pulling a long TT or when I had my previous TC, I was towing a Suzuki.

    That does not mean that a ranger might not stop you at the Ash Grove entrance station however.

    I'm not certain that Crystal Cave would be open this late in the season. Also I dont know if the shuttle will still run. I know the regular Park shuttles to Dorst Creek, the Sherman tree, etc stopped a couple of weeks ago. You should be OK on the road to Crystal Cave if it remains open and you don't encounter any "aggresive" ranger.

    Enjoy.
  • We were on all those roads a year ago with our 20 foot TC and saw no reason that a slightly longer camper wouldn't work. Along with the typical narrow and sinuous N.P. roadways we had some overhanging rocks, which would affect a very tall camper, but you had the option of going over the line to skirt the rocks similar to the Road to the Sun 'highway' in Glacier N.P. which has a similar restriction....on paper. Whereas the guard at Glacier got out and actually measured our TC for a 20' restriction, there was no one at Sequoia to measure our rig. Sequoia has gotten some critical precip these past weeks and should be good. With El Nino firmly entrenched in the S.W., the camping season could extend this year as the storms are warmer than usual. Be sure to check out the largest Redwood Forest stumps. Truly amazing size trees they cut down more than a century ago. Its down another narrow dirt road outside the N.P.
    Go and have a great time.
    jefe