Congress Trail
Congress Trail
5
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Sjors H
Gouda, The Netherlands109 contributions
Sept 2019
If you want to avoid the crowd that is taking pictures and posing in front of the fence around the famous trees, take this easy and quiet hike. Lots of gaint trees, that you can even touch. Here and there little groups of Sequoia's that make a very good scenery for pictures. I went in May (2019) and the route was so quiet, that I was able to sit in silence in the woods for almost half an hour.
Written 19 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grover R
Pensacola, FL22,012 contributions
Mar 2022
This is the premier trail in the sequoias of the Giant's Forest. It starts at the foot of the biggest tree, General Sherman and goes off across a brook into the woods. When we went, the trail was partially packed snow and ice which made the walk much longer so we turned back before finishing the loop. However, we got to experience what is like walking in the presence of the biggest trees in the world. It is so unique and amazing whatever the conditions. It is the reason you come to Sequoia NP.
Written 2 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah L
London, UK3,523 contributions
Aug 2022
The Congress Trail is a great trail to do if you're not up for doing half days hikes. The whole loop probably takes a good 1.5 hours depending on how fast/slow you go. You get great views, particularly near the end and it starts just a stone's throw away from the General Sherman tree.
Written 15 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Places Where We Go Podcast
Simi Valley, CA974 contributions
June 2021
This trail is accessible from the path to the General Sherman tree. If you make it to see the Sherman, do yourself a favor, and spend another 30 to 60 minutes to walk in the grove and see the adjacent giant Sequoias, including those on the Congress Trail. The walk among these trees is fairly easy and not strenuous. If camping in nearby Lodgepole, take the free shuttle to the General Sherman upper parking lot. After seeing the General Sherman tree and walking through the Congress Trail, you can pick up your ride back to camp at the lower parking lot at General Sherman.
2021 Update: We added the Cattle Cabin on this year's stroll of the Congress Trail. Caution that the porch beams are VERY low. Don't be walking out the door and looking at your phone, as your head will slam into the outside beams. (P.S. - Even hire, hiking with a First Aid kit can come in handy).
2021 Update: We added the Cattle Cabin on this year's stroll of the Congress Trail. Caution that the porch beams are VERY low. Don't be walking out the door and looking at your phone, as your head will slam into the outside beams. (P.S. - Even hire, hiking with a First Aid kit can come in handy).
Written 7 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tracey k
Redmond, WA755 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
We parked at General Sherman Tree parking lot. From there, the paved trail heads downward, with some few steps. The Congress Trail is well signed and you reach the turnoff just before the General Sherman Tree, which is just a tad beyond. We checked out that tree then headed out on Congress trail, which is also paved and has a bit more elevation gain. The trees here are stunning, truly awe inspiring. I found the plentiful evidence of fire damage to be, well, humbling and soulful. This trail is a pure jewel. It loops around, back to Sherman, and by then, gotta say, uphill to the parking lot was a bit of an effort. We entered Congress at9:30am, mid week. When we arrived back to Sherman, there were lines of people to take pictures.
Written 13 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
backpacker111ca
Toronto, Canada116 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
Wow. I was not expecting to be so impressed by this place. The soft light filtering through the giant ancient Sequoias was ethereal. Walking this trail early in the morning after the sun has risen and before the crowds is a must. I spent hours wandering around.
Written 28 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scenic679423
2 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
Wow. I was not expecting to be so taken with this place. Getting there darling in the morning before the crowds is a must to experience the ethereal beauty and calm. The soft light filtering through the massive ancient Sequoias was a photographers dream!
Written 28 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sally S
Fort Littleton, PA145 contributions
July 2022
Amazing amount of sequoias and the trail gets close enough for touching without going off trail and damaging vegetation. We went toward the evening around 6pm and had less people. We were easily back up at the car before sunset which we went to Moro Rock to see. Bathrooms are in parking lot above the hike. Same area that you will see the General Sherman tree.
Written 25 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony S
Roanoke, VA606 contributions
June 2021 • Family
If you are only gonna do one day/trail in Sequoia this one should probably be considered. Maybe the largest collection of the biggest trees in the park (including General Sherman nearby). Easy access from the shuttle stop. In addition to Sherman, saw several others in the Top 20 including the President tree (equally as impressive as GS IMO), Chief, Lincoln, Washington Tree (not technically on the CT) and several amazing stands labeled The Senate and The House. Much of this trail is paved and a gently elevation gain that most people physically should be able to conquer. If you are only up for a few miles and have physically limitations.. do this one!
Written 16 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeniorTravelerTF
Fort Atkinson1,196 contributions
Aug 2021
Admittedly the General Sherman and General Grant trees and their trails take top billing, and deservedly so. But if you want to avoid those crowds and still want to see numerous examples of the prime specimens, the NPS has done a good job of making the trees, or groups of trees, noticeable among their peers with special mark and signage along the trail. A paved and easy trail, can be taken off the Sherman Tree Trail, so you can combine both and still not have a moderate walk at most.
Written 14 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I read a comment about an abbreviated 1 hour route on this Congress Trail. Can you elaborate on that, as I can't find any further details on it but am interested.
Written 9 February 2020
I'm planning to visit in the next few days. I was reading about food storage, etc. while in the park because of the bears. We are planning to park the vehicle at certain areas - Foothills Visitor Center, hike through Congress Trail & General Sherman Tree, & possibly Moro Rock. This is the 1st day of our trip so we will have an ice chest, drinks, scented items (sunscreen, lotions, soap, etc.) in the car. Do we need to worry about having to store them in the food storage boxes or can we put the small scented items in a ziploc bag, & cover everything else up with a blanket? I have an SUV so no trunk. Thanks.
Written 5 July 2018
Anything that isn’t food can be stored in the car without worry :)
Written 7 July 2018
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