Years ago, when the twins were little, our family had a vacation at the Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park. During our stay, my son and I hiked the Congress Trail.
The past few visits to the park haven’t allowed me a chance to hike this trail again. Since I had time before I attempted to get a walk-up permit to backpack to Pear Lake via the Lakes Trail, I decided that revisiting this trail would be perfect. I drove up from Bakersfield, where I had spent the night, and pulled into the parking lot for the General Sherman Tree. I grabbed my waist pack and set off down the trail.
The trail was busy, as the General Sherman Tree is one of the marquee attractions in the park. Once I reached the first junction with the Congress Trail, I discovered that this initial section was closed due to some trail maintenance. Instead, I continued just a short way further down to the next junction.
The Chief Sequoyah Tree is the 29th largest giant redwood, the 14th largest tree in Sequoia National Park, and the 10th largest tree in Giant Forest. Very close to this tree is The President, also known as the Warren Harding Tree. It is the world’s 5th largest tree, the 4th largest giant redwood, the 3rd largest tree in Sequoia National Park, the 3rd largest tree in Giant Forest, and the oldest living redwood.
A short distance past it was The Senate group and just a short walk further The House group. Together, these form The Congress Group and thus the trail’s name. As the trail turned northward back to the trailhead, I passed the McKinley Tree, named in honor of the 25th President of the United States.
The trail passed through a fallen redwood, and I vividly remembered stopping here with my son, 15 years ago. I swung by the General Sherman Tree briefly. I had no need to stand in the long line to have my photo taken in front of the “photo spot”, as I admired it from off to the side. I then made the climb back to the car. My loop was 3.05 miles long, and took me 1:12 to do. It was time to head over to the permit office and see about obtaining that permit.
I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!
In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and both the Arizona-Winter and Arizona-Summer).
I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.
I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, available now!
In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and both the Arizona-Winter and Arizona-Summer).
I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.