With the exception of its massive Sequoia trees (the largest living things on the planet), the scenery of Sequoia National Park is not often talked about. It is part of the state’s lovely Sierra Nevada mountain range and when I lived in California, Sequoia was one of my two favorite backpacking destinations.
Topokah Falls Trail leads to a cascading waterfall. As is the case with waterfalls in the Range of Light, they peak with the melting mountain snowpack in May, then dwindle significantly in the summer and sometimes disappear completely by fall. I did this hike in July so the water was at about half peak flow. The fall drops as a cascade almost 1200 feet from Tokopah Valley, but you’ll only be able to see the lower part it.
The trail begins at the Lodgepole Campground. It climbs gently, following the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River. Tokopah Falls Trail is a 4 mile hike (in and back) that gains 639 feet of altitude. It’s busy in the peak tourist season but a fairly easy walk.
(Marble Fork of the Kaweah River)
Keep an eye out for wildflowers and wildlife. Perhaps more interesting than the waterfall are the great granite cliffs of the region, including a formation known as the Watchtower.
(The Watchtower formation)
