The motorist should observe the road signs, always have his car under full control, keep to the right, and sound horn when on curves that are blind.
Speed must not exceed 15 miles an hour on grades when rounding sharp curves. On straight open stretches the speed must not exceed 35 miles an hour. Speed limit signs inform the driver of maximum speeds allowed in the various areas. Careful driving is required at all times. Descend hills in gear, and drive more slowly downhill than uphill. These are scenic roads; take time to enjoy them.
TRAIL ENTRANCES
Numerous trails cross the park boundary from all directions. The South Fork, or Hockett Trail, starts at the end of the South Fork Road 13 miles above Three Rivers at the Clough Cave entrance to the park. This is a main-traveled trail to southern points in the park—Garfield Grove, Kern Canyon, and Mount Whitney.
The south trail entrance is reached from the end of the automobile road at Camp Nelson, in the national forest east of Porterville; thence by trail to the Kern Canyon station at Golden Trout Creek. The Kern Canyon entrance is reached also by trail from Lone Pine and other Inyo County points via Cottonwood Pass on the main crest of the Sierra, somewhat south of the park line. The higher reaches of the Kern River within the park may be reached from this trail by a direct route crossing Siberian Pass on the park boundary, where this is defined by a secondary divide.
A foot-and-horse trail runs to the summit of Mount Whitney (14,494.7 feet) from the Owens Valley side. It connects with the main park and Kern watershed trail system at Crabtree Meadows on the west side of the crest. Here it is possible to go over the "top of the United States" and down the other side. Mount Whitney may therefore be reached from Lone Pine via Cottonwood Lakes and Army Pass, or direct via Lone Pine Creek from the east. It may be reached from the west by starting at Giant Forest, or Mineral King, or by way of Camp Nelson from the south. This latter trail is used particularly in the early spring and summer.
Hammond photo.
MOUNT WHITNEY, THE HIGHEST POINT IN CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES
SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS
The Sequoia National Park contains many scenic features in addition to the Big Trees. The forests of sugar pine, yellow pine, fir, cedar, black oak, and other trees are the noblest of their kind. Upland meadows painted with flowers; many rushing rivers and creeks, as well as lakes well stocked with trout; glacier-hewn valleys; monolithic rocks, and snow-capped mountain peaks all contribute to furnish perfect conditions for enjoyment of outdoor life and the study of nature. Below are listed but a few of its scenic and other attractions.