There are a few ways to get to General Sherman Tree. You can take the free Shuttle Bus from the Giant Forest Museum area (which originally I did). Or...if you arrive at Sequoia National Park early enough, there'll be free self parking as you drive along Generals Highway and arrive at the Sherman Tree Trailhead.
Don't be confused....if you're first driving from Giant Forest Museum area, you'll stumble upon the Sherman Tree Parking for Handicap (which can be very deceiving), but ultimately keep driving for 2 - 3 more miles down the road, and eventually you'll turn into the Sherman Tree Trailhead parking lot.
WARNING: I'm saying this because....I visited Sequoia NP back in June, and when arriving at General Sherman Tree in the middle of the day...there was a VAST AND ENORMOUS LINE to take photos with the biggest tree in the world!
Wow, I can't believe how congested and how crowded tourists hovered over this tree! It was IMPOSSIBLE to get a good photo in.
So.....of course, the following morning....I woke up at 5am, and drove back to General Sherman and had the ENTIRE AREA TO MYSELF!!! WOOHOO!
Yes I HIGHLY RECOMMEND visiting this tree during off peak hours. Although, yeah, the sun was rising and photos of General Sherman weren't as clear as I had originally anticipated, still it was nice to be alone, and my pictures were primarily good enough.
Another important fact....this famous General Sherman Tree is situated in a fantastic locale for viewing MANY, MANY, MANY MASSIVE SEQUOIAS!!
This section is known as the CONGRESS TRAIL! It's a 2 mile round trip stroll through the forest encompassing overwhelming and gigantic trees. When I first approached the area in the middle of the day, the sun was out in full bloom and I got SPECTACULAR AND COLORFUL PHOTOS of all the trees in this portion of the park. I'd say I spent about 2.5 - 3 hours walking around and appreciating the scenery!
Here are some highlights I recommend on this Congress Trail:
Besides General Sherman Tree, there's a picturesque waterfall along the way (there's no name for it), a small man-made walkthrough tunnel, and...
...MCKINLEY TREE, THE HOUSE (a collection of alluring gargantuan sequoias), THE PRESIDENT, CHIEF SEQUOYAH, AND...you'll find this spot as you walk along the trail...it's an expansive view of General Sherman Tree and the forest as a whole!
It's ABSOLUTELY PHOTOGENIC, especially as the sun is going with you in early afternoon. Really, just this view sums up all of Congress Trail and just how exquisite this region of Sequoia National Park is. I was humbled admiring the other epic trees with General Sherman sitting right in the middle of it all!
For sure....General Sherman Tree along Congress Trail was my favorite part of Sequoia NP. There were so many remarkable opportunities for photos, moments to playfully climb on these colossal trees in the woods, and finally measuring yourself in size and comprehending just how mammoth the forest is overall.
Make sure you take enough time to navigate this segment of the park...you will be highly impressed! read more