California · Hiking · Near Silver City

Just Enough Soil

Just Enough Soil
Jun–Oct
best months

Is Just Enough Soil 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.

"Just Enough Soil" is a wayside exhibit in Sequoia National Park, managed by the National Park Service. It sits along the park's road network, about 3.2 miles from Lodgepole, and explains why sequoias have shallow roots. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Lodgepole weather station show July and August highs around 76°F with lows in the mid-40s and only about two wet days a month. Winter brings highs in the upper 30s and frequent snow days. Several short hikes start close by, including Inheritance and Hot Spots, each about 0.1 mile away, and Big Trees at 0.2 mile. For an overnight stay, Lodgepole Campground-Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park is about 3.5 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Buckeye Flats Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 3.2 mi from the trail
  • If it rainsDavid Fulmer, CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Giant Forest Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 1 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 Just Enough Soil

    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, 3.2 mi away at 6,735 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

HIKE

Inheritance

Next door

This outdoor exhibit, titled "Inheritance," shows why fallen trees create good conditions for sequoias to thrive.

Big TreesPhoto: Harald Hoyer from Schwerin, Germany, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Big Trees

Next door

0.60-mile loop trail in California with 33 ft elevation gain.

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

Wolverton Cutoff

~3 min drive

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

HIKE

Hot Spots

Next door

This wayside exhibit, titled "Hot Spots," shows how fire helps giant sequoias grow.

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

Rimrock

Next door

1.21-mile out-and-back trail in California with 446 ft gain.

HIKE

Giant Forest Museum Trail Center

Next door

Trails from here can lead you past the giant trees and lush meadows in this sequoia grove, whether you are an experienced hiker who wants to see miles of the parks or you would just like a gentle half-hour walk. Trails in this area can be confusing. We recommend purchasing a…

HIKE

Hazelwood Nature Trail Trailhead

Next door

The Hazelwood Nature Trail features a 0.5-mile (0.8-km) loop trail. This firm-packed trail has an elevation gain of approximately 50 feet (15 m). The average trail grade is 6.5% (maximum 10%) and the maximum cross slope is less than 2%. The trail is 6 feet wide. Along the…

HIKE

How's the View?

Next door

This wayside exhibit, titled "How's the View?," shows the weather patterns that cause pollution in the valley.

HIKE

Hazelwood Nature Trail-Alta Trail Junction

Next door

This trailhead sign includes a map indicating the junction of the Hazelwood Nature Trail Loop with the Alta Trail, which heads west towards the Giant Forest Museum.

HIKE

What Brings Them Down?

~2 min drive

This wayside exhibit, titled "What Brings Them Down?," shows photos and explains why sequoia trees fall.