Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25128
column: urban access TEXT: HOLLEY BISHOP WINTER CAMPING SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK The Pacific Crest Trail is the Appalachian Trail's exotic western sister. She wanders 2,650 miles from olle end of Ca I iforn ia to the other, starti ng in the Mexican desert, lingering in the Sierras and ending her journey at the icy and moun- tainous Canadian border. Rugged adventurers hike and ski the whole trail, but if you don't have several months to spare, you can easily explore it for a day or two. On Route 88 east out of Jackson, drive 65 miles until you see the Meiss Meadow parking lot on the right. You can leave your car here for US$5 a day. From the trai 1- head, hil(e 4.5 miles up to Meiss Lake, where you 'll catch the Tahoe Rim Trail and officially be on the Pacific Crest. It's ten miles on the trail from Meiss Lake down into the southern end of Tahoe, mostly a cross-country skiing journey, with a few mild downhills and great views of the lake. Other than parking, no fees or permits are required to camp 011 any part of the Pacific Crest Trail in winter. Call the Amador Ranger District for more information at 209-295-4251. This area gets up to 400 inches of snow every year and you can build igloos from December through April. Carve out your shelter beneath the branches of a massive sequoia tree. The National Forest has over 30 groves of these giants, once widespread but now growing on only the steep western slopes of the Sierras. Take Route 180 from Fresno to the General's Highway and then follow signs to the General Sherman parking lot. Several excel- lent trails start from this lot. Proceed directly to General Sherman, one of the largest living things on the planet. The trunk weighs approximately 1,385 tons. With a base circumference of 103 feet and a height of almost 275 feet, the tree is hard to miss. Sherman wi ll send you off through quiet groves of ancient trees, whose vast rust- orange trunks are even more dramatic against a white winter background. The Trail of the Sequoias is clearly marked and serves up challenging terrain, including some nice downhill sections. It's a 7.5-mile loop that begins and ends with General Sherman and brings you to a top elevation of about 6,000 feet. There are no fees or permits required to park, hike or camp here in winter. Winter campsites are available at the Lodge Pole camp- ground. For more information call the Hume Lake Ranger District at 559-338-2251 or the Lodge Pole Visitors Center at 559-565-3782.