A granite dome with 360-degree panoramic views, Little Baldy in Sequoia National Park is a more satisfying destination than the higher but more walkable Big Baldy Ridge. Views extend from the Central Valley in the west to the Silliman Ridge, Kings-Kaweah Divide, and Great Western Divide in the east. The 3.4-mile round trip hike is a moderately difficult hike, gaining approximately 650 feet, and is conveniently located just off California State Route 198, between the Giant Forest/Lodgepole area in Sequoia and Grant Grove in the park adjacent Kings Canyon National Park.
The hike
THE Little Baldy Trailheadlocated halfway between Giant Forest and Grant Grove, is easily missed (there are only a few parking spaces), so look for signs indicating its presence on the east side of the road. The trail, which gains 650 feet in 1.7 miles, immediately begins to climb through a thick mixed conifer (but no redwood) forest. Clear a staircase, then climb a few short switchbacks along the shaded west-facing slope.
From there, hikers immediately settle into a longer straight line, climbing steadily in a northeast direction. Window views through the trees become more common at about 2/10 mile and provide a distant viewpoint of Big Baldy Ridge to the west. Rising among the pines and fir trees, the summer wildflowers on this slope also resplendent with color.
After better views of Big Baldy for about 4/10 miles, hikers come to a group of three longer switchbacks where most of the elevation gain occurs. It now becomes apparent that you are climbing to the top of a ridge where Little Baldy is actually not the highest point (although it is the most prominent). After the third switchbacks, the terrain levels out, even descends a little, and the trail enters a charred forest, decimated by a relatively recent forest fire. Now the trail heads south toward Little Baldy, although the granite peak remains out of sight.
A short climb involves going around a small granite hump on the left, then the trail emerges onto an east-facing flank with the hike’s first panoramic views of the mighty Great Western Divide, a series of peaks 12 to 13 000 feet that bisect Sequoia National Park (hiding the even higher High Sierra and Mount Whitney beyond). Also visible to the east are Mount Silliman, Alta Peak, and the Kings-Kaweah Divide, which crosses the border between Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
This view is already enticing but gets even better at the top, so continue south as a short descent leads briefly back into the woods. From here the trail ends with a steep, winding climb over a rock and onto the smooth rock of Little bald dome.
As you climb to the top, there is radio/signal equipment and ample space to sit and enjoy the panoramic views that extend in all directions. On a clear day, the Central Valley can be seen to the west. When it’s foggy, at least one can usually trace the mountains to the east and spot Highway 198 as it winds east and south toward Lodgepole, the General Sherman Tree, and the Forest giant. As far as scenic views requiring relatively little effort go, Little Baldy offers some of the best views in the park.
When you’re ready, return the way you came, carefully descending the dome and finding the trail heading north, then south, back to Little Baldy Saddle. The total distance is approximately 3.4 miles, making for a half-day hike that can easily be combined with another activity (like nearby Tokopah Falls) for a satisfying day in National Park. Sequoia.
