Hazelwood Nature Trail inside Sequoia National Park
Happy Monday friends! This week we’re enjoying a lesser visited trail inside Sequoia National Park, which leads to some impressive, mature giant sequoia trees. Join me along Hazelwood Nature Trail.
FAST FACTS
• Distance: > 1.5 mile loop
• Elevation Change: 50 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
Hazelwood Nature Trail, Sequoia National Park
Location
The Hazelwood Nature Loop is located directly off Generals Highway across the road from the crowd favorite Big Trees Trail. This easy hike is under 1.5 miles with 50 feet in elevation change and the main loop section is only 0.8 miles. Hidden by giant sequoias at 6,400 feet above sea level, the trailhead is situated less than a quarter mile from the popular Giant Forest Museum and approximately 17 miles north of the main Ash Mountain Sequoia National Park Entrance Station.
Tunnel Tree, Hazelwood Loop - Sequoia National Park
Hiking Trail
The Hazlewood Nature Trail shares a small parking lot with Big Trees Trail but I recommend parking in the larger Giant Forest Museum parking lot and enjoying a beautiful shaded stroll for 0.2 miles through numerous giant sequoias down to the trailhead. Once you reach the Generals Highway trail junction, the crosswalk leads to trailheads for both Big Trees Trail (to the left) and the Hazelwood Loop (to the right). The hike begins heading gently uphill along a smooth asphalt paved path until you reach a giant fallen sequoia which has been carved out into a tunnel you pass through. The loop section of this trail begins past the fallen sequoia tunnel log and it circles for just over half a mile with minimal elevation gain through one of the most lush yet intimate trails in the Giant Forest.
Fallen Sequoia, Hazelwood Nature Trail
Giant Sequoia Tress, Hazelwood Loop - Sequoia National Park
Trail Highlights
Passing through the massive sequoia tunnel log is the first highlight of this trail, but that’s just the beginning. One thing that sets Hazelwood Nature Trail apart from many other Sequoia National Park trails is the shear amount of fallen trails you pass by. You can enjoy incredibly up close views to some massive exposed tree trunks and sequoia root systems. This trail also showcases some ancient giants who have been struck by lightning, and you can see that while the top is gone a high branch takes over as a new “crown”. Along with countless mature giant sequoias sprinkled all around you, this hike is rich with wildlife and plant life including ferns, pacific dogwood, elderberry and manzanita bushes. Crossing the wooden footbridges and listening to the water flow is also a real treat.
Hazelwood Loop Bridge
Fallen Giant Sequoia
Sequoia National Park
History
In 1916, donations from the National Geographic Society made it possible for Round Meadow to be purchased and incorporated with the rest of Sequoia National Park. However, development continued around the meadow until the 1970s when cabins, a campground, a restaurant, and other utilities began to be removed to help protect the giant sequoias. Interestingly the trail’s namesake (the Hazlewood Tree) is actually located on a hillside just west of the trail itself. This tree was the 17th largest giant sequoia in the world until it lost nearly half its trunk in a 2002 lightning storm. John Palmer, who was the Chief Park Interpreter from 1969 to 1987 had a vision for this area to be “a Giant Forest preserved for the sequoias and the people who want to experience them.”
Hazelwood Loop, Sequoia National Park
Know Before You Go
• Wildlife is abundant here – from birds, deer, yellow-bellied marmots, and black bears…so never leave food out or unattended.
• The nearby Big Trees Trail is one of Sequoia National Park’s most popular trails due to its central location, even terrain and close-up giant sequoia views…so if you hope to enjoy this walk without large park crowds, consider visiting for sunrise or visit on a weekday outside of the busy Summer season.
• All pets are prohibited on park trails. Most trails in the Giant Forest are closed to stock.
• Carry a map and know how to use it.
• Watch for uneven or slippery footing. Be aware of what's around you and overhead...trees and limbs can fall without warning.
• The closest gas station is Stonycreek located 35 minutes north, and food can be found at the Lodgepole Market or Wuksachi Restaurant under 30 minutes away.
• Please remember the Leave No Trace Principles to keep this place wild and wonderful. You can get close enough to nearly touch some of the giants along the trail, but please don’t wander off or leave the designated path to “hug” these trees and stand up on the base of their roots. The roots systems are very shallow and can be easily damaged. Stay on trails. Shortcutting damages the natural landscape.
• The small Hazelwood & Big Trees parking area is open to handicap vehicles during the summer. If you don't have a placard but need to park closer to the trailhead, temporary placards may available at visitor centers.
• Vault toilets and a drinking fountain may be available near the trailhead in Summer...otherwise the closest location is Giant Forest Museum.
Top 10 Sequoia Highlights
Tunnel Log
Crystal Cave
Paradise Creek Trail
Beetle Rock
Hazelwood Nature Trail Giant Sequoias
In Summary
Thank you so much for joining me this week in Sequoia National Park. For a virtual visit along Hazelwood Nature Trail, make sure to watch this week’s Behind the Blog YouTube video at the top of this post. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go! 🌲🌲🌲
Giant Sequoia Trees
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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Located inside Sequoia National Park directly off Generals Highway, Hazelwood Nature Loop is an easy, family friendly hike that comes in at under 1.5 miles with 50 feet in elevation change. The trail begins past a fallen sequoia tunnel log and it circles for just over half a mile with minimal elevation gain through one of the most lush yet intimate trails in the Giant Forest.