Middle Fork Trail

The Middle Fork Trail drops you into the less-traveled side of Sequoia, trading the usual giant tree crowds for sun-baked chaparral and sweeping canyon views. From the trailhead near the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River, you'll wind through manzanita and scrub oak along exposed switchbacks that offer surprisingly dramatic vistas of Moro Rock's granite dome and the jagged Castle Rocks formation. The trail gradually descends toward Panther Creek, where a modest but photogenic waterfall rewards your effort — and reminds you that the return trip is all uphill. At six miles round trip with moderate terrain, this isn't a leg-destroyer, but the sun exposure and return climb earn it honest moderate status. This one's for hikers who want Sequoia views without the sequoia-sized crowds.