Trip report: boondocking in Sequoia in rain -- it was fun!

Enjoyed the full report! Thanks for posting. One day...

Mr. Wizard and Outdoor, you are both right! Sunset and Azalea are the coolest campgrounds -- literally -- because they are at 6500 feet, and are located next to Grant Grove.

The campgrounds down at the Cedar Grove end of the road are at a lower elevation but are right near the Kings River -- this shot was taken in Sentinel Campground, right from our campsite, in early May of 2011:



Not a very dramatic shot, but you can imagine the sound of the rushing water tumbling over the submerged boulders -- built in white noise, and built in air conditioning!

Which was a good thing, because the valley floor can get pretty hot during the day, since it is below 5000 feet in elevation. Fortunately, the nights almost always cool off substantially.

my favorite kings canyon campgound has always been Sunset

Thanks for the photos and jogging memories! Surprised those black bears weren't CA Blondes.

Kings Canyon is one of my favorites and while we would normally go to Grants Grove, the one time I camped in Cedar Grove may be my favorite campsite of all time. First come first served, arriving on Saturday morning because I got off work too late on Friday and a guy pulling out as I entered said, "Go to site # X. I just left. Great site." Bam, he was right and if he hadn't pointed me to it, I wouldn't have gotten it. Sadly, I couldn't tell you the actual number.

Great pictures. Thanks for sharing your adventure!

Jbrowland, if this is your first time at Lodgepole, you are in for a major treat --and if you hike, it gets even better. Tokopah Falls, Heather Lake, Alta Peak (if you are in great shape -- I'm not), Muir Grove, Lost Grove . . . . . endless possibilities!

Thanks for sharing! We are heading to Lodgepole in about two week for the first time. Very excited!

profdant139 wrote:
Ralph, we saw three in a week -- very unusual. Maybe it's the drought driving them into the moist meadows, looking for roots to munch on??

I was wondering if it was drought related, too. Sounds very possible.

Ralph, we saw three in a week -- very unusual. Maybe it's the drought driving them into the moist meadows, looking for roots to munch on??

Just spent a week in Sequoia/Kings Canyon NP. Exact opposite of OP's weather. Always sunny and daytime temps of around 85 in the canyon (4500 ft) and 70-75 at 6500 ft. Lows were usually around 45-50, but was 38 last night.

Saw 5 bear in Round Meadow, near Giant Forest, at the same time! I rarely see even one in all my summer travels.