Summary 
| Difficulty | 3 Intermediate |
| Length | 5.8 miles round trip |
| Starting Elevation |
6450 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+650, -650 round trip |
| Navigation | Road, map and marked trail |
| Time | Most of a day |
| Season | December through early April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Giant Forest, Lodgepole |
| Start |
Giant Forest Village on Generals Highway (Highway 198). The tour begins where the Alta Trail leaves the village at its northeast end. |
| End | Giant Forest Village on Generals Highway (Highway 198) at the west end of the Giant Forest Museum Plaza. |
Description
Two loop tours through the sequoias of Giant Forest are described in this guidebook — the Crescent Trail Loop and the Sequoia Loop. Both take the tourer in, out, and around the giants which make Sequoia National Park a one-of-a-kind place. The Crescent Trail Loop tour is slightly easier, although the two tours are given the same difficulty rating.
The Crescent Trail Loop tour takes you on parts of the Alta Trail, Crescent Trail, and Crescent Meadow Road. The tour is described in a clockwise direction so that the steepest section, found along the Alta Trail, is uphill, and the downhill is spread over a longer distance.
It is possible to add a short extension to Moro Rock if you have more energy to burn.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 0.2
Elevation change: -50
From the trailhead (1) follow the Alta Trail as it parallels the highway on its south side for 0.2 mile until you reach the Giant Forest Lodge area (2). This trail is marked with yellow triangles and the image of a pine cone, but like most trail markers in Sequoia, they seem to be few and far between.
As you approach the lodge, locate the markers which indicate the point where the Alta Trail leaves the highway and climbs at a steep angle.
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 0.2 - 0.7
Elevation change: +150 feet
Ascend southeast for 0.5 mile until you reach the point where the marked trail abruptly changes direction and crosses a creek (3). You have been ascending the drainage created by one of the tributaries to Little Deer Creek.
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 0.7 - 2.0
Elevation change: +450, -50
Continue to follow the marked trail to the north and then northeast for a total of 1.3 miles until you reach McKinley trail junction (4) in the Congress Grove. This is also the northern most point of the tour.
At the junction, take time to admire the McKinley Tree that is impressive in its own right. It is the 28th largest sequoia in Giant Forest. It is 240-feet tall and more than 18 feet wide. But also, don’t miss the other beautiful groups of sequoias in the area.
At McKinley trail junction, trails are marked in five directions. Locate the yellow triangles with the image of a crescent moon. They mark the Crescent Trail that heads south and the route ahead.
Waypoint 4 to 5
Miles: 2.0 - 2.4
Elevation change: -50 feet
Ski generally south on the Crescent Trail following the markers for 0.4 mile until you reach Circle Meadow (5).
Waypoint 5 to 6
Miles: 2.4 - 2.8
Elevation change: +50 feet
Continue following the Crescent Trail southeast for 0.4 mile until you reach a broad saddle (6).
Waypoint 6 to 7
Miles: 2.8 - 3.2
Elevation change: -250 feet
Continue following the Crescent Trail southeast for 0.4 mile until you reach the north end of Crescent Meadow (7).
Waypoint 7 to 8
Miles: 3.2 - 3.5
Elevation change: Nil
Ski south in the meadow for 0.3 mile until you intersect Crescent Meadow Road (8). If the conditions in the meadow are poor, ski in the trees along the west (right) side of the meadow.
Waypoint 8 to 9
Miles: 3.5 - 4.3
Elevation change: -150 feet
Ski west on Crescent Meadow Road for 0.8 mile until you reach Tunnel Log (9).
Waypoint 9 to 10
Miles: 4.3 - 4.7
Elevation change: Nil
Ski generally southwest on Crescent Meadow Road for 0.4 mile until you reach a road junction (10). The road to the south (left) leads to Moro Rock.
Waypoint 10 to 11
Miles: 4.7 - 5.8
Elevation change: -100 feet
Continue generally north (right) on the main road (Crescent Meadow Road) for 1.1 miles until you reach Giant Forest Village (11).
