Crescent Meadow Loop

Crescent Meadow Loop

Crescent Meadow Loop
4.5
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Easy hiking trail that takes you past the Chimney Tree and Tharp's Log.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles253 reviews
Excellent
185
Very good
52
Average
14
Poor
1
Terrible
1

travelingCAgal
San Diego, CA1,113 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022 • Couples
This is a lovely 1.6. mile loop trail to take! As we were nearing the end of the trail and arriving at the spot where a sign reads “Crescent Meadow” two other people “shushed” us & pointed to the meadow where there were two bears foraging in the meadow - a mother bear & her cub. I was very excited as we had yet to see a bear this trip so this checked that box off! The cub began prancing across the meadow to catch up with his mother & it was truly adorable. We headed back to the parking lot & took a different path where we saw fresh bear droppings so we returned to the established more frequently taken trail. A group of hikers were shouting loudly as they came across a bear at the head of the trail. It clamored up a tree! By then we had reached the parking lot & got in our car & left. Apparently, there are a lot of bears out at this time of day (near dusk). The protocol is to make loud noises so the bears keep their distance from people. The meadow is lovely & one of our favorite places to hike at Sequoia.
Written February 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sally S
Fort Littleton, PA145 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
We did this one first thing in the morning on our last day in California and I'm so glad we did it. Almost no one was there and it allowed us time to pause, be quiet and absorb. Not as many big trees as Congress Trail but still really cool and don't miss Tharp's Log, while your on this trail.
Written July 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lizakq
Naguabo1,723 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
This is a nice and easy hike; so relaxing and a great way to enjoy and take nature in. We arrived early and there were just a few cars but as we were leaving there were no place to park for people tha were arriving. Bathrooms and picnic area at the head of the trail. We encounter a bear and a cub (not at the same time) but I could not take any pictures...we just let them be and kept on going our way; but it was cool to see them in a natural habitat roaming free.
Written November 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DrHickenlocher
Irvine, CA1,024 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
The Crescent and Log Meadows loop was one of our favorite hikes of the trip. A little less than 2 miles in all, we saw marmots and golden mantled ground squirrels, several interesting trees, beautiful meadows, and Tharp's Log along the way. The only thing I wish was different was for the route to be entirely dirt instead of having part of it paved. But I do understand that paving allows for easier disability access all the way to Tharp's Log.

We arrived at the Crescent Meadow parking lot around 9:30am on an August Wednesday to find it half full. We decided to take the trail clockwise by heading to the left first. We made it to the Chimney Tree at 9:55 and then Tharp's Log at 10:15. We probably could have made it faster but had been making short excursions to the sides here and there. Pro Tip: Download the free NPS Sequoia and Kings Canyon app for your phone and download the offline maps as well before you go. I usually use Alltrails, but since I don't have Alltrails Pro and no internet service, the offline maps were a lifesaver on all of these trails to know exactly where I was relative to all the points of interest and how much farther we still had to go. It's really quite accurate.

From Tharp's Log back to the parking lot, the entire trail back is paved, which makes it super easy to follow but was kind of a let down. It just feels less like a "trail", you know what I mean? We made it back to the car around 10:50 and headed out to find a better spot for lunch. There were a couple of picnic benches shaded by the surrounding trees and a pit toilet restroom, but I wouldn't call it a good "picnic spot".
Written September 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anthony S
Roanoke, VA604 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021 • Family
This place is a gem and one of the highlights of our trip. Along with the Congress Trail, we hiked most of this Loop including parts of Log and Huckleberry Meadows. Huge wide open green meadows, some wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife including several mule deer. Parking lot is small, so get there early. If you come to Seki, make sure you make time for this area.
Written July 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jennifer T
Devore Heights, CA473 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021
Enjoyed our early morning walk on the loop. We also took the short off shoot trails to see Tharps Log and chimney tree. We were blessed to see two black bears in the meadow.
Written May 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kate H
Colorado155 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022
We started out left from the parking lot and were happy we did. Fewer crowds (although it wasn't busy in October) and immediate rewards! It was magical walking through the sequoias, and the kids were in awe. Tharp's Log was a fun rest break to read some history and imagine. Definitely do this loop, it is easy and rewarding.
Written November 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SeniorTravelerTF
Fort Atkinson1,249 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
The trail is a packed surface, a bit is even paved, so an easy walk to a meadow that stands in stark contrast to the giants all around. Can easily include Tharp's Log on the walk. Lots of shade so pleasant in the hottest part of the summer.
Written September 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Terry U
Alhambra, CA3 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2014 • Couples
We visited Crescent Meadow in early June 2014. We got to the Meadow just after 9am. Almost right at the beginning of the meadow we saw two bear cubs playing near the trees 15 - 20 feet from the trail. After a few minutes they started climbing up the trees. They are so cute. Of course, Mama bear was not too far away, another 20 off in the meadow eating grass/ plants. As long as you don't approach the cubs or make loud noise, the bears will leave you alone. The highlight of our Sequoia vacation.
Written June 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brad
Hong Kong, China181,235 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019 • Couples
Crescent Meadow Loop is popular road (and hike) in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park. It is open to vehicles during the warmer months of the year. However, you can hake the loop year round. One of interesting attractions to see along this route is Auto Log, a giant sequoia that fell in 1917 and served as an early tourist attraction for tourists who visited during the following decades.

After this monarch sequoia fell, an earth mound was built up and along its side to make a ramp for vehicles. The top was also gouged out, creating a flat surface for which cars could be driven upon the top of the tree for tourist photos. You can see old black and white pictures online of early 19th century vehicles atop Auto Log.

These days, Auto Log off limits to such activity. Mind you, it is rather doubtful it could withstand the weight of modern era vehicles. You can pull your vehicle off Crescent Meadow Road, park and have a look. Similarly, if hiking the loop, just stop for a couple minutes to see and learn about Auto Log before continuing onward to the famous Tunnel Log, Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow further down the road.
Written May 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Crescent Meadow Loop - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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