California · Hiking · Near Silver City

General Sherman Tree Main Trailhead

General Sherman Tree Main Trailhead
1.6 mi
round trip
358 ft
climb
7,094 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Oct
best months

Is General Sherman Tree Main Trailhead open right now?

No closures listed

The National Park Service lists no closures for Sequoia National Park.

As of · Source: NPS · Sequoia National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

You are getting close to the famous General Sherman Tree. The volume of wood in its trunk alone makes it the largest tree in the world. As you walk the 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to it, you'll pass many other spectacular giants as well. At the bottom of the trail, you can stand by a cross section of a sequoia trunk that was cut years ago. Because this trail goes downhill to where the giant grows, your walk offers the unique experience of seeing the Sherman Tree from top to bottom. You also get a view into the canopy of the sequoia grove, a habitat that few people ever witness. Watch for Douglas squirrels (aka chickarees) and other inhabitants of these high places. After seeing General Sherman, explore the other trails near the tree before heading back uphill to your car. From late May to early September, you have the option to ride a free shuttle back up to the parking lot. The shuttle stop is near the restrooms on the Generals Highway, further downslope from the Sherman Tree. You can also connect from the Sherman Tree to most of the trails in the Giant Forest. If you have a map, energy, and plenty of daylight, head for Crescent Meadow, Tharp's Log, the Giant Forest Museum, or even the High Sierra Trail. Accessibility People with disabilities may park in the small lot along the Generals Highway near the restroom.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Lodgepole Campground-Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park

    Campground

    The next 8 weekends are full on Recreation.gov
  • Eat after

    Lodgepole Market Center

    Fast food

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • If it rainsDavid Fulmer, CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Giant Forest Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 2 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: David Fulmer, CC BY 2.0 (commons)

More in Silver City

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit General Sherman Tree Main Trailhead

    Best months: June–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      39° / 17°

      9 wet · 8 snow

    2. Feb

      41° / 18°

      10 wet · 8 snow

    3. Mar

      45° / 22°

      10 wet · 8 snow

    4. Apr

      50° / 26°

      8 wet · 5 snow

    5. May

      58° / 33°

      5 wet · 2 snow

    6. Jun

      68° / 40°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      76° / 46°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      76° / 44°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 39°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 31°

      4 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      47° / 23°

      6 wet · 4 snow

    12. Dec

      37° / 17°

      8 wet · 6 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lodgepole, CA, 1.7 mi away at 6,735 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

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General Sherman Tree Trail: Near the Top

Next door

This wayside exhibit, titled "Near the Top", shows your location in relationship to the height of The General Sherman Tree.

HIKE

General Sherman Tree Trail: Halfway Point

Next door

This wayside exhibit, titled "Halfway Point," shows your location in relationship to the height of the General Sherman Tree.

Wolverton CutoffPhoto: NealVickers, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Wolverton Cutoff

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3.73-mile out-and-back trail in California with 772 ft gain and 7,539 ft max elevation.

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Panther Gap-Lakes

~2 min drive

1.79-mile out-and-back trail in California with 766 ft gain and 8,048 ft max elevation.

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General Sherman Tree Trail: Near the Bottom

Next door

This wayside exhibit, titled "Near the Bottom," shows your location in relationship to the height of the General Sherman Tree.

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There it is!

Next door

As you stand on the path before this exhibit, notice the pavement has a textured feel. Under your feet, rows of paving stones radiate out in concentric circles from a central point. They represent a cross-section through the base of the General Sherman Tree. The outer edge…

Lodgepole-Sherman TreePhoto: Harald Hoyer from Schwerin, Germany, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lodgepole-Sherman Tree

Next door

2.85-mile out-and-back trail in California reaching 7,086 ft elevation.

HIKE

There it is! (General Sherman Tree Accessible Trail)

Next door

This wayside exhibit, titled "There it is!", shows photos about the General Sherman Tree. You can also find this exhibit southwest of the General Sherman Tree, near the General Highway Parking Access.

Sherman TreePhoto: Henning Leweke, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sherman Tree

Next door

0.89-mile out-and-back trail to Sherman Tree in California's national park.

HIKE

Why so big and so old? (General Sherman Tree Accessible Trail)

Next door

This wayside exhibit, titled "Why so big and so old,?" shows the sequoia's survival system. You can also find this exhibit on the west side of the General Sherman Tree.