Sequoia National Park Travel Forum

I am coming from Fresno and will have about 1 1/2 days to spend in Sequoia/King's Canyon. My hotel is in Three Rivers near the Sequoia entrance. I had some questions.

In this short time, is it worthwhile to visit Grant's Grove (particularly since my hotel is near Sequoia)? I figure I can take 180 from Fresno, visit Grant's Grove, and then head through the park to Three Rivers. Or is it better just to head to Sequoia first from Fresno (is 99-198 the fastest way?) and just concentrate on Sequoia/Giant Forest, skipping King's Canyon and Grant's Grove.

Grant Grove is really worth a visit - it is very interesting so I would suggest heading from Fresno to Grant Grove and then driving the General's Highway to Giant Forest (also very worth seeing) and then finally heading to Three Rivers. Leave early because you will want to spend time hiking among the redwoods. I don't know where you are headed after Three Rivers but if you have time you could visit Crystal Caves which is bwtween Giant Forest and Three Rivers (http://www.sequoiahistory.org/cave/cave.htm)or Mineral King which is SE of Three Rivers. If anyone traveling with you has problems with motion sickness, you might want to take some Dranamine or the like. The road from Giant Forest to Three Rivers can be a bit twisty. I get some motion sickness driving into Mineral King even when I am behind the wheel.

One thing I would sugest is at least a "drive through" of King's Canyon. I did it last June and I am glad I did. Pretty decent scenery - lots of curves and you wind down for a long time to the bottom. Plan on a couple of hours.

We cut east from Fresno on Hwy 180 - It worked quite well and some nice views along the way. Look at my Minkler page please. There is this great roadside fruit stand - my wife and I really liked the fruit and picked some up for our trip to eat.

Mike