From Stumped to Inspired

Hike Big Stump Trail in Sequoia & Kings Canyon Park

The Big Stump Trail in Sequoia & Kings Canyon Park winds through a grove of giant sequoias that was logged in the nineteenth century. What remains are enormous stumps that feel beautiful and otherworldly–like wooden sculptures shaped into mushroom tops or spaceships scattered across the forest floor.

This easy 2-mile walk passes a variety of massive stumps, fallen logs, pockets of new growth, and a picturesque meadow before arriving at the Mark Twain Stump, the trail’s most famous landmark. 

In 1891, two men spent 13 days sawing down the 300-foot tree. Its cross-sections were shipped to New York’s American Museum of Natural History and London’s British Museum, where crowds marveled in disbelief that such a tree could exist.

Today, the stump has stairs leading to its flat top, offering a unique vantage point to appreciate its sheer size—16 feet across. From there, the trail continues across Highway 180 through a particularly lush section alive with fresh growth. Walking among these stumps is a powerful reminder of the importance of conservation, but there’s also a quiet joy in witnessing the forest’s resilience and renewal.

Directions. Park at the Big Stump Picnic Area parking lot. Find the trailhead near the restrooms. No dogs.

Story and photos by Yvonne Pasquini, @yvonne_pasquini

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  3. Rio Del Mar-velous

    Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos might be one of the best places for a treasure hunt. Its location between two other beaches makes for a good stroll featuring a spectacle of wildlife as you search the sand for sea glass and seashells.

    View
  4. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Sponsored

    Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe

    The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.

    View