Moro Rock in Sequoia National Park

Stepping up Moro Rock

Moro Rock is the prominent granite protrusion viewed by everyone driving up to the Giant Forest from the south. The Moro Rock hike is a classic (so classic the photos came out black and white). It is deservingly one of the most popular hikes in Sequoia National Park.

Moro Rock rises 6,725 feet above sea level, but hikers only have to climb the last 300 feet of that elevation to enjoy the vast panoramic views. The trail is just over a quarter mile long, but crosses nearly four hundred steps in that distance.

The impressive system of stone carved steps and ramps was constructed in 1931 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. We have FDR’s new deal to thank for the impressive staircase which is now listed the national registry of historic places.

Hale Tharp (the one-time inhabitant of Tharp’s Log) was led to Moro Rock by Native Americans in 1858. Visitors have been enjoying the rock’s expansive views ever since. A century and a half of air pollution in the Central Valley has cut into the view Tharp would have seen. These days the coastal Los Padres Mountains are typically hidden behind the haze. That said, Moro Rock is a short hike with top-notch views. The sight to the east toward Mount Eisen and the High Sierras is inspiring. The trail and views should be seen by anyone visiting Sequoia National Park.

It is not a good idea to hike the dome in a lightning storm, but it would be smart to visit Moro Rock at sunset. The Trailhead for the loop through Crescent Meadow is just a mile from Moro Rock and is a great trail to visit in combination with this one.

Part of the view from Moro Rock

To get to Moro Rock: Just south of the Giant Forest Museum, turn off the General’s Highway and head east on Crescent Meadow Road. After 1.5 miles, turn right and continue to the parking are beneath Moro Rock. To access Sequoia National Park, visitors must pay an entrance fee.

	You might also enjoy:
	Tokopah Falls This 1,200-foot waterfall is the tallest in Sequoia National Park. The 3.4-mile hike to its base is gradual and scenic, and starts from Lodgepole Campground.
	Sunset Rock This easy two-mile hike to an enormous plain of granite offers views to the south and west, making this a great place to, as you would suspect, watch the sunset.
	Beetle Rock This is an even shorter excursion. Like Sunset Rock above, Beetle Rock is a great place to watch the day come to an end. Both are located across the Generals Highway from the Giant Forest Museum.
	General Sherman Tree This is the largest Tree in the world. The trail is one mile long round-trip and can be quite crowded with visitors who want to see this enormous beauty.
	Congress Loop This is a 2-mile trail for those looking to see more Giant Sequoias than just the General Sherman.
	Crescent Meadow Loop While there are several trails through the great forest to choose from, this short loop visits Sequoias, forest meadows, the Chimney Tree. and Tharp's Log.
	Marble Falls This 8-mile round-trip trail takes a flower-lined path up Deep Canyon from Potwisha Campground to thundering waterfalls. This trail is in the foothills and a perfect spring hike.
	Paradise Creek This is a fun swimming hole a half mile away from Buckeye Flats Campground. Paradise Creek is the perfect spot to cool off and relax on a hot summer day.
	Panther Creek This 6-mile round-trip hike travels the Middle Fork trail across chaparral covered foothills to Panther Creek where you can look down over a one hundred foot waterfall. The hike This is a good hike in early spring, but one to avoid on a hot summer day.
	Hikes in the Sierra Nevada Mountains This list explores the great Sequoias, peaks, waterfalls, lakes, and streams of the Sierra Nevadas.

View Hiking the Sierra Nevadas in a larger map