Adventure 008, Hike 106 - North Grove Loop

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 008, Hike 106 – North Grove Loop

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  September 11, 2012

Location: Grant Grove, Kings Canyon

Hike Info:

Trail: North Grove Loop

Distance: 2.2 miles

Duration: 0:58

Elevation Rise: 444'

Description:

Team Thing One, Thing Two start from the Grant Grove parking lot and go westward, descending, along the south part of this loop. Lots of sequoia trees which forms an overhead canopy. But we are not on this trail very long before we turn off onto the Sunset Trail and walk that trail for a couple of hours.



But then we rejoin the North Grove Loop and down we go again. When Thing One says down, he does mean down. For as much as team Thing One. Thing Two has traveled this trail, both on foot and on ski's, it always seems steep down and steep up again. About half way around, we meet another couple who must have had the same thoughts. They were wondering if they were on the right trail. Strangers from New York, but they were enjoying themselves and felt assured they were doing good.



The north side of this trail is the best. As you climb up, you start meeting up with a creek and the life which goes with water. The ferns start appearing and the sequoias look like they have a multitude of subjects around their feet. Even with it being steep, the climb is relieved by such views, until we go over a ridge and meet up with the incoming trail about 50 yards from the Grant Grove parking lot.



If it seems confusing what we did this afternoon, take a look at my summer hike blog for a fuller description. Our entry from last year:


Item: 8 - North Grove Loop Trail
Team: Tired 'Tirees
Date:  Oct 3, 2011
Link:

• Trailhead
• Gary and Son on the Trail
• The View
  

Desc: The North Grove Trail is a 2.02 mile trail which comes out of the General Grant parking lot. We usually cross country ski it once every two or so years. It has an initial steep down, loops through a burnt forest and then swings back up. By taking the Sunset Trail on the trail down, then you get rewarded by some magnificent Sequoia's and meadows on the way back up--it gives us old people time to contemplate. About 50 minutes on the trail.