<p>I am starting to plan a trip for dh and I for October. We thought we would fly out to SF and drive to Yosemite. I also have heard that Kings Canyon and Sequoia are beautiful and should not be missed. So what I need to know is how much time to spend in each. I think we will probably fly in on Sunday and fly out on Saturday. While we are at the parks, we will do some mild hiking. We are not intense backpackers. So if you can, throw some help my way.</p>
<p>Definitely hit the other parks in addition to Yosemite - especially Sequoia. The giant Sequoia trees are spectacular. It’s also less packed than Yosemite which is nice.</p>
<p>How much time to spend is completely dependent on what you want to do when you’re there - short hikes, long hikes, easy hikes, just driving to lookouts, fishing, climbing, sitting in a chair, sleeping, etc. For some people a couple of days each in Yosemite and Sequoia would be fine but others would spend a lot more time there. I don’t know that after Yosemite and Sequoia you’ll want to spend a lot of time in King’s Canyon or just driver through and back with occasional stops.</p>
<p>Another nice area not too far from Yosemite is Calaveras Big Trees state park which is interesting (and had a bear right over there in a dumpster while I was heading to the bathroom in the middle of the night at the campground - the bear had a good time sorting through the refuse).
<a href=“http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=551[/url]”>http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=551</a></p>
<p>And for something else different, if you’re on the eastern side of the range not too far from Mono Lake is the ghost town of Bodie (a state park now) which is very interesting.
<a href=“HTTP404”>Bodie SHP;
<p>Having grown up in the San Joaquin Valley I heartily endorse a trip to Sequoia/Kings Canyon National parks. There’s nothing like walking through a grove of giant sequoias.</p>
<p>For a great view, there’s a hike up to Moro rock which isn’t too strenuous, but there are a lot of stairs.</p>
<p>If you like caves, there is also Crystal Cave in Sequoia. It’s about a 2 mile hike total and is lovely.</p>
<p>About 30 years ago (Jeez!) DH and I backpacked and camped in all three of these, tho not in one trip. Couple comments but take ‘em all with a grain of salt because the ol’ memory is hormonally challenged. They were all gorgeous. Yosemite will be the more populated. The other two were empty when we went which was after school was back in session in the fall like you are planning. </p>
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<li><p>I think they’re pretty far apart so if you only have a week it might be tight to get to all of them. It’s pretty slow driving up into the mountains and if I’m reading my map correctly it looks like you have to go down again, head south from Yosemite, then up again but I’m not sure.</p></li>
<li><p>Check on the weather in October - it might be getting pretty cold up there in the mountains so do check in with the parks well ahead of time re/ proper clothing and supplies.</p></li>
<li><p>Sequoia was wayy more southern than Yosemite - same basic country but hotter and drier. We camped in September and the park ranger told us at check in, “You will see bears. They have been feasting all summer and you are the only game in town now. Here’s a bear proof container we are testing. Use it.” We did and we did. See bears and use the container. I swear when we sat by our campfire at night there were glowing eyes about 100 yards out, as if the bears were enjoying our fire with us. We lost all non bear containered supplies. One bear came right into our camp and after standing our ground and chucking rocks at it (as the ranger had warned us to do) it left. I was all for retreating to that nice funky hotel we had seen on the way in but my new hubby would have non of that. That day I had to make peace with my possible death, I tell you. We survived tho with some interesting memories!</p></li>
<li><p>King’s Canyon we hiked wayyy in deep and all I recall is it was a vicious up hill climb switchbacking up an escarpment till we made it into the mountain forest. Then it was lovely, cool, tall trees, delicious scent of Jeffrey pine. </p></li>
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<p>So all in all I’d say do lots of research ahead of time re/ weather, animal activity, ranger recommendations; get lots of maps and study them carefully because while 5 miles seems doable easily, well up in those mountains that can take an hour to drive. Contact the National Park Service and tell them your first cut idea and let them help you figure out a route and plan that will work best for the type of travel you wish to do. AAA can help, too. Do not underestimate the ruggedness of the country you are heading into and then you will have planned appropriately. With correct planning the countryside is breathtaking.</p>
<p>Oh yes…as Hugcheck says…there are still PLENTY of bears. Heed what the rangers will tell you.
We too have had our share of interesting “close encounters of a bear kind.”</p>
<p>It’s not as far if you fly in to Fresno and go to Yosemite via Highway 41. You can stay in Oakhurst, and that puts you close to the Mariposa Grove.</p>
<p>Then you can drive back towards Fresno and take Highway 180 into Kings Canyon.</p>
<p>We are not camping. I just made reservations (that I can cancel) at Curry Village for one of the cabins. I thought I would reserve it with the thought of canceling it if something better comes up or plans change. Right now, I have two nights reserved. I respect bears and have been in bear country before but thanks for the heads up. As for Fresno, that might be a great idea. We would look in to it. We are coming from Chicago. I am already starting to get excited.</p>
<p>Sequoia & Kings Canyon are LOVELY, but HUGE. We were there in 2010 June and snow was still melting and causing flooding. We went much further south, but I’d check with AAA & maps so you have a better idea of driving times, distances, etc. They were doing a lot of road construction/restoration, which REALLY made driving very slow (think one lane and flagman stopping cars to let the other side go, and only allowing cars to go in or out of the valley one time every hour). Call the park(s) you plan to visit to find out about this so you can plan accordingly & allow yourself LOTS of driving time–very windy roads and POSSIBLE construction.</p>
<p>We loved our visit. We went to see coastal redwoods as well but didn’t go to Yosemite that trip (have been there many times & LOVE it there). </p>
<p>Agree to be very attentive about BEARS and respect them as they are VERY strong. Near SF (if you’re flying in & out of SFO) is Muir Woods, which is lovely for a day hike as well.</p>
<p>I’m sure you’ll have a great time. Have also loved Calaveras.</p>
<p>My daughter is a wilderness leader and was backpacking in Yosemite last week along with a group of 12 year olds. They were “hassled” by a bear which kept getting closer and seemingly more interested in them. Bear spray didn’t seem to affect it too much, so daughter and her co-leader gathered up the kids, packed up the camp, and hiked out of the area. That night even with very careful bear bagging, a bear got into two of the backpacks and proceeded to make mincemeat out of them. Better backpacks than kids, of course; they will have quite the story to tell when they get home.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that Yosemite Falls will be dry in October. But Vernal and Nevada will still be flowing a bit due to a very low snow year. Be sure to go to Glacier Point, Yosemite for spectacular views. while you are on the Glacier Point Road, take the mile long hike to Sentinel Dome for fantastic views. </p>
<p>If the Tioga Road is still open, go to the high country of Yosemite. Foe me, it is the most beautiful part and much less crowded. However in October, the meadows will be brown and the services up there, a lodge, store and gas station may be closed. Off the Tioga road, Olmstead Point and Tenaya Lake are awesome sights.</p>
<p>It is about a half day drive south of Yosemite. There I would recommend the Congress trail to see lovely groves of the big trees. Also Crescent Meadow and see a tree that one of the early pioneers lived in, a hollow fallen log complete with table etc. </p>
<p>Crystal Cave is closed for now. the NPS has not said for how long.</p>
<p>We also camp in the Sequoias/Kings Canyon every summer - our favorite camping spot is Hume Lake. Beautiful lake, no power boats, great fishing and swimming. There is also a large Christan camp nearby that has a general store where you can buy basics (tho no alcohol!) as well as a small burger joint where you can go if you’re just tired of doing dishes in a blow-up sink…</p>
<p>Kings Canyon is wonderful. We never miss a trip to Boyden Cavern (fabulous caves with a guided tour every hour or so) and a trip to Muir Rock. Great spot for jumping into the swimming hole below.</p>
<p>As others have said, it may be a bit cold in October and certain areas/sites may be closed so best to check first. We also have had our share of bear stories over the years, so you can’t be too careful in safely securing ALL of your food.</p>
<p>We have camped in all three. They are all beautiful. Yosemite Valley and Sequoia are not to be missed. Kings Canyon is very beautiful and less crowded, but if you have to skip one, skip Kings Canyon.</p>
<p>We stayed south of Yosemite last week and day tripped to Yosemite Valley. It was still awe inspiring but not the same as staying overnight in the valley. When you are there overnight you can enjoy so much more, the sounds of the night, the dew of the morning, the changing light of the day.</p>
<p>These parks cover a large chunk of territory so prepare for lots of driving.</p>
<p>We did annual family reunions for years in King’s Canyon, so I have a big soft spot for that beautiful park. There are 3 levels of places to stay beyond backpacking. Sheep Creek, mentioned above is a nice campground, and camping at Hume Lake is nice too. One step up from them is the cabins at Grant Grove Village. They are rustic but have more amenities. Some have canvas roofs and a shared bathroom/shower with the other cabins. Others are little rustic cottages with their own bath and shower. These last cabins are old and have uncomfortable beds. If you would rather have a nicer experience, the John Muir Lodge in Grant Grove village is very nice, with well- appointed rooms and a huge common area, and also many balconies/porches with rocking chairs to enjoy the fresh mountain air. </p>
<p>Definitely go to the visitor’s center in Grant Grove village. Lots of great information and exhibits.</p>
<p>Close by to Grant Grove Village (a mile? - at most) is a great trail area that takes you through the giant sequoias. One of them is fallen and hollow and you can walk through it. It was used for awhile as stables by the military. You will also see the stump of a tree that was cut and cross-sectioned for the St. Louis world’s fair. They had to cut it into pieces when shipping it and no one back there could believe that a tree could be so big so they called it the “California Hoax”! There are many other trees, including the famous General Sherman tree. Really, if you have not seen giant sequoias, they are not to be missed!</p>
<p>I have done both Crystal Cave in Sequoia and Boyden Cave in King’s Canyon. Crystal Cave is far nicer but Boyden Cave is a fun outing anyway.</p>
<p>The road connecting Kings Canyon/Sequoia parks looks short but I warn you it is windy and slow and takes much longer than you would expect from looking on the map. A previous poster mentioned a tree near Crescent Meadow that was used as a cabin. I agree it is a fun hike. </p>
<p>Even if you don’t stay at Hume Lake it is fun to rent kayaks. Warning: don’t try to get lunch at the snack/burger shop near the lake landing. It takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r to get served. We’ve eaten there maybe 5 times and it was the same every time.</p>
<p>Near Yosemite, I totally agree that the ghost town of Bodie is a great day trip. And stop by Mono Lake: it doesn’t take long and it is very unique.</p>
<p>Hmm… just remembered your trip is in October. The weather will be cooler but no snow yet. I’ve been there in October and it’s nice, but bring a warm jacket!!!</p>