General Sherman Tree Hike Guide
General Sherman tree hike takes hikers to the biggest tree in the world by mass. The walk to the tree is unique, picturesque and best of all – short! However, for hikers looking to make a longer day, the General Sherman is also a great jumping off point for additional trails.
General Sherman Tree Quick Facts
Virtual Trail Guide: General Sherman Tree
General Sherman Tree Rating: ★★★ (3/5 Stars)
Distance: 1 Mile RT
Elevation Start: 6,916ft
High Point: 7,143ft
Total Elevation Gain: 220ft
Estimated Time to Complete: 30 Minutes to 1 Hour Total
Difficulty: Walk in the Park What does this mean?
Class: Class 1 What does this mean?
Season: March – December: Expect road closures outside of this period.
Directions to General Sherman Tree
Trailhead: General Sherman Tree Car Park
Getting Here: Getting to this TH depends on which entrance of Sequoia National Park you use. The trailhead itself is located off Wolverton Road towards the South entrance of the park.
Parking: This hike has a massive parking area which is almost always busy but finding a spot should not be a problem. For the best experience, head here in the early evening or early morning. There are restrooms at this trailhead.
Fee: $35 as of 2022, visit this page for more information.
Reservations: As of 2022, reservations are NOT required to enter Sequoia National Park.
Summary
Dogs: Dogs are not allowed on this hike or any other hikes in Sequoia National Park.
Camping: Sequoia National Park has a number of campgrounds and lodging options.
Hike Xfactor(s): Road Closures & Reverse Elevation Gain
Like any seasonal road, especially in a National Park, road closures are extremely unpredictable. If you do plan to hike General Sherman Tree during the late Fall or Winter months, be sure to check the road conditions here. If the roads are open, you will have a MUCH shorter hike to the tree since you can park right along the road and then travel up to the tree.
Hike Tip(s):
- If you are looking to extend your hiking – there is a longer loop called the Congress Loop which starts to the east of the General Tree itself. This hike is about 3 miles total and takes you by a bunch of other massive Sequoia trees.
Best Views: We all know why you are hiking this one – to see the General Sherman Tree! Take some time to appreciate the scale and history of this insanely old tree.
General Sherman Tree Hike Route
Gear Needed
- Men’s Trail Runners
- Women’s Trail Runners
- La Sportiva Trango Hiking Boots (Men’s)
- La Sportiva Trango Hiking Boots (Women’s)
- Food & Water
- Optional: Garmin inReach
- Optional: Garmin Fenix Watch
- Optional: GoPro, Joby Tripod, GoPro 360
- *Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you.
General Sherman Tree Trip Report: October 2022
Jackie and I had just hiked the Little Baldy Dome (LINK) and with the sun setting for the day, wanted to snag another short hike. The General Sherman Tree was the perfect fit. The paved path could be followed by someone who had never hiked before, yet we still saw people cutting the trail to save 20 seconds. People man…
The tree itself was very impressive and with a colorful sunset painting the sky behind us, this was a really cool quick walk. This is a great spot that is perfect to combine with Little Baldy Dome and Moro Rock.