HANGING ROCK TRAIL
sequoia national park, ca
HANGING ROCK TRAIL
QUICK STATS:
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Distance: 1 mile roundtrip (out and back)
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Elevation Gain: 251 feet
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Seasonality: Memorial Day through October due to snow
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Trailhead: Several, but the recommended one is at the southernmost part of the Moro Rock Loop Road near the Moro Rock Parking lot.
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Parking: Approx 18 parking spots in a lot at the trailhead that is only open on May-Aug weekdays. Otherwise you'll need to take the shuttle from the Giant Forest Museum (~150 car parking lot).
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Facilities: Two pit toilets in the trailhead parking lot. No potable water on the trail.
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Difficulty: Easy
Description:
Hanging Rock is a lesser known trail near the very popular Moro Rock trail, but it's well worth the extra mile. On this trail, you hike through the southernmost part of the Giant Forest to reach a clearing that gives you rare views of Moro Rock, possibly the best the park has to offer. If you bring binoculars, you can see those who are hiking up Moro Rock on one side and spectacular views of the Central Valley on the other. The end of the trail features the "hanging rock" that looks like it's going to slide off of the side of the mountain. It does slope off without any railing, so be sure to keep kids away from the edge.
Trip Planner Details:
This trail is located in Sequoia National Park, approximately 1.5 miles southeast of the Giant Forest Museum. During the busy summer season on weekends, you will want to catch a park shuttle from Lodgepole or the Giant Forest Museum to access Hanging Rock. During the summer weekdays you may be able to find a parking spot at the Moro Rock Trailhead. Here you'll find restrooms and seating areas.
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You can enter Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park through the South Entrance from Highway 198 in Visalia or the North Entrance from Highway 180 in Sanger. The more direct route for this hike would be from the 198. Be careful though, as this entrance has more steep roads that hug the edges of cliffs.
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There is a park entrance fee of $35 per vehicle to enter Kings/Sequoia National Park. For more information on what else you can do in the park, visit the Sequoia/Kings National Park website.
When You Do Your Research:
You may see some variations on how long this hike is and that all depends on where the trailhead is defined. The mile listed on this page is a round trip number from the Moro Rock parking lot, since there really isn't another place to park. You will see a sign for the trailhead on the Moro Rock Road and Google Maps will show a trailhead just north of Moro Rock. But unless you are able to find a spot on the side of the road to park, you will either have to park at Moro Rock or get off the shuttle at the Moro Rock drop-off.
Tips From One Who Hiked It:
This is hike is not as heavily trafficked, so you should take this trail after you've gone to Moro Rock (do that one early to beat the crowds). If you're willing to make it a longer trip, take the Sugar Pine Trail out to Crescent Meadows.
