easy hike - mountain lake - national park campground
Tokopah Falls Trail & LODGEPOLE CAMPGROUND - sequoia national park
the journey from la
Directions: Campground and parking are located just past Lodgepole Visitors Center, Generals Highway, Sequoia. Drive north up the 5 freeway past Bakersfield then north up the 65 through Lindsay. Turn right on the 190 towards Three Rivers and straight into the park until you reach Lodgepole Visitors Center on your right.
When to go: Late spring and early summer are ideal. Late summer and fall are also decent although sometimes hot and dry. Winter and early spring are usually snow-covered & very cold with regular road closures. Always keep an eye on fire warnings and closures via the Sequoia & Kings Canyon Website.
Time from LA to trailhead: 5 hours
Total adventure time: 2 days (1-night camping)
Along the way:
Sequoia Coffee Co does a mean coffee and burrito/sandwich
Three Rivers Brewing for a post-adventure local brew
Slick Rock Recreation Area is an ideal river swim spot to wash off the dust and float downstream
General Sherman Tree is the world’s largest tree and is located right off the main park road before Lodgepole.
what to pack
Clothing:
Sturdy sneakers will do, and so will hiking boots
Hiking shorts/trousers for the trail
Fleece in case it gets cold
Waterproof outer shell just in case (the Visitors Center sells excellent ponchos also)
Accommodations:
Tent
Sleeping bag
Roll mat
Pillow (yay for car camping!)
Camp chair per person
Firewood + firelighter
Matches or lighter (+spare)
Camping stove
Gas canister (make sure it’s the right attachment valve for your stove!)
Pot & pan
Cutlery
Pen knife
Thermal mug
Metal french-press (for morning coffee)
Cooler + ice (to store perishables & beverages)
Food & drink:
Large water canister
Pasta
Primal kitchen tomato & basil sauce
Packeted tuna
Parmesan
Homemade Sweet Lauren cookies
Entertainment:
Outdoor speaker
Book
Sketch pad & pen
Camera & tripod
WILDERNESS INFO
The Trail: Tokopah Falls Trail
Length: 3.8 miles
Elevation gain: 626 ft
Camping: Book your spot before your trip either via recreaction.gov or sign up to campnab.com and let them do the work for you.
Permits: No permits are needed for this short day-hike.
Pooping: Restrooms are located at the campground & trailhead.
Fires: Typically fires are allowed in designated fire pits at each camping spot.
Litter: A garbage disposal is located at the campground parking.
RECOMMENDED ENTERTAINMENT
Album: Actual Life, Fred Again
Book: Greenlights, Matthew McConaughey
Camera: Fujifilm XF10
Shinrin yoku
-the Japanese art of forest bathing
