Day 2: U.S. and Canada West Coast Drive

You can jump to a specific day:

Sequoia National Park

We grabbed breakfast in Barstow and headed toward Sequoia National Park. It was a nice day for a drive. We stopped in Bakersfield on the way to get lunch – bánh mì. My husband got an extra bánh mì to eat on one of our hikes later in the day.

You can see from the photos below what parts of the drive looked like on our way to Sequoia National Park.

Part of the drive from Barstow to Sequoia National Park

There are a number of hilly orchards on part of the drive from Barstow to Sequoia National Park

As we drove higher in elevation and closer to Sequoia National Park the land had more and more trees. The area started to became a mix of desert and trees then less and less desert to finally a forest with giant sequoias.

Lake Kaweah on the drive to Sequoia National Park from Barstow.

Getting closer to Sequoia National Park.

Getting even closer to Sequoia National Park.

In this photo you can see Moro Rock in the far distance - that was our first glimpse of it! (Moro Rock is in the middle of the bluish mountain area above and to the right of the car in front of ours - it's the part sticks up a bit in the middle of that bluish mountain area) It was exciting to see Moro Rock knowing we would be climbing it later that day. — In this photo you can see Moro Rock in the far distance – that was our first glimpse of it! (Moro Rock is in the middle of the bluish mountain area above and to the right of the car in front of ours – it’s the part that sticks up a bit in the middle of that bluish mountain area) It was exciting to see Moro Rock knowing we would be climbing it later that day.

View from one of the many pullovers on the way to Sequoia National Forest

We arrived at Sequoia National Park before 1 p.m., which gave us enough time to do the things we wanted to do the most.

Click here for Park Map (Driving Map) for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks that you can download to have ready for your trip if you would like.

You can download a National Park Service app that has lots of helpful information for over 420 parks in the U.S., including Sequoia National Park.

There is an admission fee to enter the park. Click here for information on the admission fees, but most people are entering with a private vehicle, and the fee for that is currently (as of 2024) $35/private vehicle (which covers everyone in that vehicle). Click here for the entrance locations for Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon.

What we did was purchase the America the Beautiful Pass at the entrance to Sequoia National Park. Currently (as of 2024) the America the Beautiful Pass is $80, and it expires the end of the month one year after you purchase it. So for us, because we purchased it in September of 2023, our pass will expire the end of September 2024. There are even cheaper prices for this pass, as you can see in this link, such as a lifetime Senior Pass which is (as of 2024) $80 and a one year senior pass is (as of 2024) $20.

Something that’s cool about the pass is that it covers more than one person. From this link: “Each Annual Pass admits the pass owner and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas; and pass owner + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, where per-person fees are charged. (Children under 16 are always admitted free)..”

We used the America the Beautiful Pass in December to get both of us into Castillo San Felipe del Morro in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We could have gotten two more people in for free if we had friends with us because it’s good for up to four people when the entrance fee is a per person fee.

America the Beautiful Pass can provide great savings if you plan on going to other places that are part of the pass during the time it’s valid, and there are A LOT of places included in the pass. Click here for a link to all of the places included in the pass.

We knew we would be going to Yosemite National Park the following day (which is also $35/private vehicle, at the time of this writing) and to the Castillo San Felipe del Morro in San Juan in December (which is $10/person, at the time of this writhing), so the pass already saved us $10 between those three national sites. Plus we plan on using it at least one more time before it expires which will basically make any future admission free.

We entered Sequoia National Park from from Highway 198 at the Ash Mountain entrance at the town of Three Rivers. We got our park map from the entrance.

Our first stop after entering the park was Sequoia’s Historic Park Entrance Sign, which is not far from the Ash Mountain entrance. It’s along the right side of the road; there are a few parking spots just off the right side of the road near the sign.

Next we stopped at the Foothills Visitor Center, which is one mile north of the Ash Mountain Entrance, to get some questions answered. We also stopped at a few scenic pullovers and Tunnel Rock along the way to the Giant Forest Museum.

You can read the captions to the photos to get the story of the day in the order everything happened. Interspersed between some of the photos you will find additional details about the things we did as they occurred.

It was official - we had arrived at Sequoia National Park! — It was official – we had arrived at Sequoia National Park!

We visited the the Foothills Visitor Center in Sequoia National Park along the way. We picked up maps and had some questions answered. He told us that there were fires in the area, but they were nothing to worry about because they were under control and beneficial for the forest. He also told us to watch out for bears because they were foraging that time of year in preparation for winter - so keep all food stored tightly so as not to draw any bears toward our food. (He gave us a map like the one in the photo above to take with us) — We visited the the Foothills Visitor Center in Sequoia National Park along the way. We had some questions answered. He told us that there were fires in the area, but they were nothing to worry about because they were under control and beneficial for the forest. He also told us to watch out for bears because they were foraging that time of year in preparation for winter – so keep all food stored tightly so as not to draw any bears toward our food. (From the entrance to the park we were given a map like the one in the photo above to take with us)

Another scenic pullover. Moro Rock kept popping in and out of our view as we drove along and showing up anywhere from the left to the right of our view - it's a windy road leading to the giant trees (Sequoia National Park) — Another scenic pullover. Moro Rock kept popping in and out of our view as we drove along and showing up anywhere from the left to the right of our view – it’s a windy road leading to the giant trees (Sequoia National Park)

Another scenic pullover (In Sequoia National Park)

We just had to stop for that rock ahead! (And it was on my list of things to see along the way - it's called Tunnel Rock) (In Sequoia National Park) — We just had to stop for that rock ahead! (And it was on my list of things to see along the way – it’s called Tunnel Rock) (In Sequoia National Park)

And of course we each had to go under Tunnel Rock. Fortunately it wasn't crowded the day we went, so we could get photos with just us in them. (In Sequoia National Park) — And of course we each had to go under Tunnel Rock. Fortunately it wasn’t crowded the day we went, so we could get photos with just us in them. (In Sequoia National Park)

We see you, Moro Rock, and we're coming for you! (In Sequoia National Park) — We see you, Moro Rock, and we’re coming for you! (In Sequoia National Park)

We saw more and more trees as we came nearer to the forest and Moro Rock kept popping into our view (In Sequoia National Park)

We were getting closer and closer to Moro Rock (In Sequoia National Park)

We saw several burnt trees. It's impressive how resilient trees are (Sequoia National Park) — We saw several burnt trees. It’s impressive how resilient trees are (Sequoia National Park)

The farther we drove, the larger the trees got (Sequoia National Park)

A large, burnt fallen tree (Sequoia National Park)

Driving by big, beautiful trees in Sequoia National Park

We stopped to visit the Giant Forest Museum, which is free (or included with your park admission, however you want to look at it.) It’s not very big, but it was worth a visit.

The Giant Forest Museum in Sequoia National Park (it's free!) — The Giant Forest Museum in Sequoia National Park (it’s free!)

The Giant Forest Museum in Sequoia National Park

An exhibit at the Giant Forest Museum in Sequoia National Park

A comparison display to help us grasp the size of those giant trees. (At the Giant Forest Museum in Sequoia National Park)

Sentinel, located across from the Giant Forest Museum in Sequoia National Park, is not even one of the top 40 largest giant sequoias in the world, even thought its size is quite impressive

From the Giant Forest Museum we drove to Moro Rock, which was about a six minute drive. The signs on where to go were a tad confusing, but we figured it out. There is a parking lot next to Moro Rock that isn’t very large, and it was full when we got there, but then someone started backing out of a spot right when we got there, so we were fortunate we got a nearby spot with no wait.

It took us about 26 minutes total to climb up Moro Rock and to climb back down, and we weren’t rushed – we were climbing faster than other people, but I stopped to take a lot of photos along the way and at the top. There are nice views during the ascent and descent and some great panoramic views from the top.

The beginning of the climb up Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park

Climbing Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park (It's a tad easier to climb than Mount Everest and slightly warmer) — Climbing Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park (It’s a tad easier to climb than Mount Everest and slightly warmer)

A view while climbing Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park

Climbing Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park

There are a few resting areas along the way and informative signs at Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park

Looking down at where we just climbed on Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park

We're almost at the top of Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park. The climb was not hard at all for us, and it was enjoyable, but for some people it would be difficult or impossible — We’re almost at the top of Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park. The climb was not hard at all for us, and it was enjoyable, but for some people it would be difficult or impossible

Beautiful clouds in blue skies floating above mountains as seen from Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park. — Beautiful vista from Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park

View from Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park

A tree growing on Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park

The high point and edge offering panoramic views from Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park

This is the walkway leading to the area in the photo above on Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park — This is the walkway leading to the area in the photo above this photo (on Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park)

One of many great views from Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park

My husband looking bored (but he was far from bored) on Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park

Climbing back down Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park

Enjoying our climb down Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park

Another nice view from Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park

From Moro Rock we headed to Tunnel Log, which is a fallen tree that you can drive through for free. It’s about a three minute drive from Moro Rock to Tunnel Log, but we stopped along the way to get some photos of some of the giant sequoias in that area. Walking amidst those huge, majestic trees made me feel so happy. Photos can’t truly capture their beauty.

Cool looking fallen tree in Sequoia National Park

Approaching Tunnel Log in Sequoia National Park

Waiting our turn to drive through Tunnel Log in Sequoia National Park

Yay! It's our turn to drive through Tunnel Log in Sequoia National Park. It's not super exciting to do, but it's still fun to do. — Yay! It’s our turn to drive through Tunnel Log in Sequoia National Park. It’s not super exciting to do, but it’s still fun to do.

After driving through Tunnel Log, we drove to Giant Forest Grove, which has in it a special gem worth visiting – General Sherman Tree. According to this link, “There are taller trees, and wider trees, but the General Sherman Tree contains more wood (volume) in its trunk than any other tree on Earth.” And according to this link, “the General Sherman Tree is not only the largest living tree in the world, but the largest living organism, by volume, on the planet.” Also according to that link:

General Sherman is approximately:

2,100 years old
2.7 million pounds
275 feet tall
36 feet in diameter at the base

There is a wheelchair-accessible trail that leads a short distance to the tree, and you can read about where to access that parking lot and trail by clicking here for the link.

There is an extensive network of hiking trails in Giant Forest Grove. We spent about 30-35 minutes total, with the main objective of seeing General Sherman Tree, but there are trails that can take several hours. The trail we took was easy.

Near the beginning of the easy trail that leads to General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park

A view from the easy trail that leads to General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park

Part of the easy trail that leads to General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park

There it is - General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park — There it is – General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park

There was a short line of people waiting to take photos in front of General Sherman Tree. We opted to not wait in the line and instead get a photo of us from another angle with no line. Sure there was no sign saying "General Sherman" in our photos, but that doesn't change that it is still General Sherman Tree. — There was a short line of people waiting to take photos in front of General Sherman Tree. We opted to not wait in the line and instead get a photo of us from another angle with no line. Sure there was no sign saying “General Sherman” in our photos, but that doesn’t change that it is still General Sherman Tree.

Our line free shot of me in front of General Sherman Tree has no official sign saying "General Sherman" in it, but it was much quicker! The tree doesn't look quite as big from this angle, but we can see it from the other angle in the photo above (Sequoia National Park) — Our line-free shot of me in front of General Sherman Tree has no official sign saying “General Sherman” in it, but it was much quicker! The tree doesn’t look quite as big from this angle, but we can see it from the other angle in the photo above this photo (Sequoia National Park)

The trail leading back to our car after seeing General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park

They protect General Sherman's root system by not letting visitors walk right up to it, but there are other giant sequoias in the Giant Forest Grove that you can be right next to. Those trees made us feel so small. (Sequoia National Park) — They protect General Sherman’s root system by not letting visitors walk right up to it, but there are other giant sequoias in the Giant Forest Grove that you can be right next to. Those trees made us feel so small. (Sequoia National Park)

After visiting General Sherman Tree and a small portion of Giant Forest Grove, we drove about five minutes to get to the Lodgepole Campground parking lot to hike the Tokopah Falls Trail. This trail is “considered a moderately challenging route” according to alltrails.com, which, by the way, if you enjoy hiking, has an app about hiking trails.

We couldn’t figure out where the Tokopah Falls Trailhead was, but a friendly couple pointed out where it was, not far from the parking lot and restrooms.

We started our hike around 4 p.m. and arrived at the area overlooking the falls at about 4:55 p.m. There wasn’t a lot of water flowing down, but at least there was some. Often, that time of year has no water falling down, but, due to the heavy snowfall the previous winter, there was still water falling when we were there. I’m sure it looks beautiful in the spring and summer, but even if there had been no water falling, it is still a beautiful place to visit. We are both so glad we did that hike – it was much nicer than we expected it would be.

As for our perception of the challenge of the hike, it was not challenging for us, however we did see a few people who were extremely out of breath. On our way back we saw people whom we had passed on our and their way to the falls who were still far from reaching the falls, and they looked exhausted. So, know your limits and health conditions.

According to this link (I don’t know how accurate it is), the numbers 3, 4 and 5 causes of death while hiking are dehydration, heat exhaustion and heart attack.

It wasn’t warm when we were there, but I did get slightly sweaty from the hike and I saw other people sweating a lot, and there were not many people there the day we went. Please bring water with you when you hike and take a rest if you need to. And if you can’t do the entire hike, that’s ok. It’s better to make it back alive than to try to do more than you should and not make it back at all.

We spent about 15 minutes in the area overlooking the falls. While we were there my husband ate the bánh mì he brought along. It took about 40 minutes to walk back to the trailhead. In all we spent about one hour and fifty minutes doing Tokopah Falls Trail – that’s including spending 15 minutes at the falls, so about one hour and thirty five minutes hiking time (which did include brief pauses for photos.) We were not rushed at all, but we passed everyone else on the trail, so I assume that for most people it would take longer than one hour and fifty minutes to complete.

Now for the photos of Tokopah Falls Trail. You can read the captions to the photos to get the story of the hike.

You start the Tokopah Falls Trail hike by crossing this bridge (This bridge is located on a road that runs northeast off of the road for the parking lot and is also not far from the restrooms in the parking lot that's next to Lodgepole Campground. Just ask someone for directions if you need to - people are almost always happy to help) (Sequoia National Park) — You start the Tokopah Falls Trail hike by crossing this bridge (This bridge is located on a road that runs northeast off of the road for the parking lot and is also not far from the restrooms in the parking lot that’s next to Lodgepole Campground. Just ask someone for directions if you need to – people are almost always happy to help) (Sequoia National Park)

After crossing the bridge you will find the trailhead for Tokopah Falls Trail (Sequoia National Park) — After crossing the bridge you will find the trailhead for Tokopah Falls Trail on your right (Sequoia National Park)

Not far from the beginning of Tokopah Falls Trail (Sequoia National Park)

Tokopah Falls Trail provides a beautiful hike (Sequoia National Park)

My funny guy monkeying around on Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park

It was a lovely September day when he hiked the beautiful Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park

Trees, water, blue skies and sunshine made for an enjoyable hike on Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park

My husband taking a photo during our hike on Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park (You don't have to walk here, this is on the side of the trail) — My husband taking a photo during our hike on Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park (You don’t have to walk here, this is on the side of the trail, but please be careful if you are there when more water is flowing)

Running water along the side of Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park (You don't have to walk here, this is on the side of the trail) — Running water along the side of Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park (You don’t have to walk here, this is on the side of the trail)

A pool of water next to Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park

Beautiful views along Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park

We were about eight minutes into the hike at this point (with fairly level ground up to this point) on Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park, so if you know you can't make it to the falls, maybe you can make it to some of the beautiful sites before the falls — We were about eight minutes into the hike at this point (with fairly level ground up to this point) on Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park, so if you know you can’t make it to the falls, maybe you can make it to some of the beautiful sites before the falls

We were about nine minutes into the hike at this point on Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park

A fairly easy section of Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park

About 21 minutes into our hike on Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park. I love the shadows from the trees

About 22 minutes into our hike on Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park.

About 23 minutes into our hike on Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park (The water was next to the trail, not on it)

About 27 minutes into our hike on Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park.

About 28 minutes into our hike on Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park.

I took a picture of this because I think it looks like a person sitting with their knees up looking at something they're holding. It even looks like there are eyes, nose and a mouth on the part that looks like a head. (Along Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park.) — I took a picture of this because I think it looks like a person sitting with their knees up looking at something they’re holding. It even looks like there are eyes, nose and a mouth on the part that looks like a head. (Along Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park.)

Part of Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park (about 30 minutes into our hike)

Part of Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park (about 32 minutes into our hike)

Part of Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park (about 37 minutes into our hike)

Part of Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park (about 39 minutes into our hike)

Part of Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park (about 44 minutes into our hike)

You need to be careful on this part of Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park (about 46 minutes into our hike)

Part of Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park (about 49 minutes into our hike) At this point we could see the falls

Part of Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park (about 50 minutes into our hike) At this point we could see the falls

The end of Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park (about 50 minutes into our hike) The falls were only trickling in September, more than usual for that time of year due to the heavy snowfall the prior winter

Happy that we made it to the falls at the end of Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park

While my husband sat on a large rock overlooking the valley and the falls, I took photos of the pretty landscape at the end of Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park

The clouds rolling over the mountain top as seen from the end of Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park

A view from the end of Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park

Part of Tokopah Falls in Sequoia National Park

A view from the end of Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park (Don't worry, I'm not normally in the view) That sky is so cool looking! — A view from the end of Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park. That sky is so cool looking!

My husband taking a photo at Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park

A view from the end of Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park. I love the look of sun rays shining through the clouds

Time to head back (Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park)

Back over the part where we needed to be extra careful (Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park)

Another scenic shot on our way back (Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park)

Clouds rolling over the mountain as seen from Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park

Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park is such a pretty hike

My husband waited patiently for me as I took lots of photos along Tokopah Falls Trail in Sequoia National Park

After completing our hike, we decided to head to our hotel. We were considering driving to General Grant Tree, the second largest tree in the world, but we had a drive ahead of us that night, and we had seen a lot of huge trees already that day, including the largest tree in the world by volume. It would have been about a 45 minute drive to General Grant Tree, but it would have been only slightly out of our way. However, I’m glad we took the route we ended up taking instead because we got to see a gorgeous sunset from the route we took, and a bear! There were a number of lookout points to pullover at to enjoy the view, and we pulled over a few times.

If it was open, we would have gone to Crystal Cave, but it was closed, and had been for awhile.

Now for the photo story of the scenic part of our drive to our hotel. I’m sharing a lot of the sunset photos because it was such a beautiful sunset.