Hiking to Tunnel Log and Moro Rock (Sequoia National Park, California) - Trip Report

I finally hiked in Sequoia National Park, a park I grew up just a few hours away from, and it was nothing short of stunning. I’d been to Kings Canyon National Park and the Sequoia National Forest plenty of times in my childhood, but not the park until this year. This hike was a great way to see some iconic parts of the park without the crowds. I opted to do it just before sunset, stretching the crowds even thinner and making the views that much more incredible. I’m hoping to get some more hiking at this park in the late spring and summer after the snow melts out.

Hiking Information

Location: Sequoia National Park (near Three Rivers, California)

Trailhead & Parking: Google Maps

Date Hiked: January 12, 2021

Trail Type: Loop

Elevation Change : 1,497 ft

Distance Roundtrip: 4.5 miles

Nearest Restrooms: near the Giant Forest Museum

Fees: There is a fee to enter Sequoia National Park, here is the park’s information for entrance fees.

Season Accessibility: Year round (road conditions may vary depending on the season)

Trail Tip: By hiking this loop in the winter, you add more mileage and lessen the amount of people you share the trail with.

Additional Hiking Information

This trail can be accessed all year round, but it is most ideal in the winter when the road to Moro Rock & Tunnel Log are closed. When the road opens in late May (usually), you can park at the Moro Rock trailhead making it a much shorter hike and you can drive to and through Tunnel Log.

The Drive/Parking

To get to this trailhead, you’re going to head to the Giant Forest Museum along the Generals Highway. During the winter, the road between Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park is closed so you’ll need to enter on the Sequoia National Park side (HWY 198). The best parking will be across the street from the Giant Forest Parking lot, just a minute away from the trailhead.

The Hike

I started this hike later in the day with enough time to enjoy the views along the way and be at the top of Moro Rock for sunset. The hike starts next to the Giant Forest Museum and the closed Moro Rock/Crescent Road. The trail follows along the road, but far enough that I couldn’t really see the road and felt immersed in nature.

There were patches of snow in the first few minutes of the hike which will vary greatly depending on the snowfall that year, but it ended up being mostly a dirt trail (my favorite!). There was no shortage of beautiful Giant Sequoias along the way.

After about a mile I reached the Moro Rock Road which I took to the Tunnel Log, opting to do Moro Rock last for the sunset. The road takes you along some popular spots - Buttress Tree, the Parker Group and the Tunnel Log.

The Parker Group is a really profound and beautiful group of Sequoias just off the road, they made me feel like a tiny ant making my way through the forest.

The infamous Tunnel Log, I’d seen pictures of this spot so many times when cars can drive through (summer - fall) and I was lucky enough to enjoy it by myself in the winter. Such a beautiful and astoundingly large tree that’s been down since 1937.

After spending some time at Tunnel Log, I continued along to Moro Rock. To get from Tunnel Log to Moro Rock, you’ll take the Solider’s trail that will pop you out on the Moro Rock road again.

By this point in the trail, I had about 45 minutes left of sunshine and the clouds were finally starting to break up, which is a recipe for a great sunset. But first, 350 steps up the stairs to the top of Moro Rock. This portion of the hike can get icy and snowy during the winter time, so I had my YakTrax packed in my backpack just in case, luckily it was melted out when I was there.

The views heading up were stunning with the Sierra Nevada mountain range to the East and the Central Valley to the West.

Once I reached the top, I set up for sunset and only shared the summit with two groups of people. It was such a beautiful spot for sunset featuring the Valley smog rolling through the mountains. The price for sunset chasing on a trail means hiking back in the dark so make sure to have all the proper gear - warmer layers, multiple sources of light and navigation.

This trail was a perfect way to see the most popular spots in Sequoia National Park without the crowds. It would have been even more beautiful had there been more snow, but I love a dirt trail so no complaints from me! Perhaps I’ll make one more trip to the park this winter, after a decent amount of snow, to see the Sequoia National Park all dressed in white. I hope you got some enjoyment out of this trip report and/or my video, Happy Trails!

VIDEO OF MY ADVENTURE

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Tiare Kirkland

Hi! My name is Tiare, but you can just call me ‘T’. I’m a California based hiker and I spend most of my free time taking photos and videos of some of my favorite hikes. You can usually find me ‘Out Hiking’ in the Sierra Nevada mountain range or road-tripping to new areas. Read more about me here and follow along with my adventures by subscribing below!