Marble Falls
Marble Falls is the ideal hiking destination for a spring visit to Sequoia National Park. This 8-miles round-trip hike starts from Potwisha Campground. This is in the foothills region of the park that many people pass by en route to the giant trees further up the mountain. Don’t be a fool and overlook this hike, which takes a flower-lined path up a mountain canyon to a powerful falls.
The trail starts near Potwisha’s campsite 14. For those who are not staying at the campground, there are a couple parking spots at the trailhead. If those are full, park in the large lot across the street.
The trail commences up a service road past a sign for Marble Falls. The Marble Fork of the Kaweah River can be seen and heard through the trees to the left. After a short distance, a posted arrow points up a single-track trail to the left. Stay on this track for the rest of the hike, as it switches up the canyon wall and heads north toward the falls.
The trail up the canyon to Marble Falls
The trail continues steadily uphill, weaving through a painter’s pallet of wildflowers. While the trail remains several hundred feet above the river, the rushing water will stay within earshot. The trail passes through chaparral, along rock faces, and through groves of bays. It is a sincere four miles to the falls. As the elevation increases, the vegetation becomes more alpine. After 2.5 miles, a prominent outcropping boasts a wide view up the canyon and at the raging creek below. From here, the trail continues to climb before finally leveling out near the falls.
Looking down on the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River
Marble Falls tumbles about seventy feet into a large pool. The river is wide and powerful. The thundering water echoes off the sheer canyon walls. The trail passes the falls and ends on a slab of white marble. Pause on the marble for a snack and take in the cacophony of the rushing torrents. If interested, continue up along the river a bit further to be treated to another waterfall that tumbles into a lively pool. There is faint trail to the upper falls and a bit of easy scrambling is required. This falls is shorter, but a more direct view is available, and it is no less picturesque.
The other good news is, it will be mostly all downhill on the way back.
In the spring, when the temperatures in the foothills are accommodating and the rivers are flowing strong from the snowmelt, this hike deserves to be on every itinerary.
To get to the trailhead: Follow these directions to Potwisha Campground.
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