Big Stump

Big Stump is less a hike and more a walking meditation on what once was. This short, wheelchair-accessible loop near the Grant Grove entrance wanders through a ghost forest of massive sequoia stumps — the remains of 19th-century logging that nearly wiped these giants off the map. The trail is smooth and well-graded, winding past stumps so enormous you could park a car inside them. The centerpiece is the Mark Twain Stump, cut in 1891 so a cross-section could be shipped to a museum — a decision that feels both fascinating and slightly criminal. Interpretive signs tell the story without sugarcoating it. The shade from second-growth trees keeps things comfortable, and the whole loop wraps up quickly enough to leave time for the bigger adventures deeper in the park. Perfect for families, history buffs, and anyone who needs to stretch their legs after the winding drive up from Fresno.