Tokopah Falls Trail

Tokopah Falls is the classic family-friendly hike at Lodgepole, one of the few waterfall walks in Sequoia National Park that does not demand a long day. The trail starts near the Lodgepole campground and follows the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River upstream for roughly 1.7 miles one way, climbing gently through forest and then open granite slopes into a glacier-carved valley called Tokopah Valley. At the end, a cascade of white water slides down a high cliff in a series of drops, with the Watchtower, a huge granite buttress, looming above. The total distance is about 3.4 miles and takes two to three hours depending on stops. The falls are at their best in late spring and early summer when snowmelt fills the river, and they can be reduced to a trickle by late summer and fall in dry years. Along the way the trail offers views of the river crashing over boulders, small pools, wildflowers and, in the open sections, big sky views of the surrounding peaks. The trail begins at about 6,800 feet, so altitude can be noticeable for visitors who have come from sea level. A short bridge crosses the river near the start, and a section of the path climbs over rocks near the end where the trail can be steep and loose. The area is popular with campers and day hikers, so mornings are quieter. The route is part of the Lodgepole area, which also has a market, a grill in season, a visitor center that operates seasonally and a large campground.

Safety first. Rivers in the high Sierra carry fast, cold snowmelt and the rocks near the water are slippery. Several people have been swept away or injured in the Kaweah drainage, so stay off wet rocks, keep children close and do not wade or swim near the falls. Check conditions with a ranger, especially early in the season when the river can be dangerous, and carry water, sun protection and layers.

Best time. Peak flow generally comes in May and June, with spring wildflowers and cool mornings, while late summer and autumn bring warmer, drier hiking and fewer crowds but a thinner cascade. In winter the trail is often snow-covered and suitable for snowshoes, though avalanche risk on the slopes above the end of the trail means you should talk to rangers before heading far.

Making a day of it. The trail is a good morning outing followed by lunch at the Lodgepole market or a picnic by the river. If you have time and energy, pair it with the Giant Forest in the afternoon. Tokopah is also a good choice when the Moro Rock stairs are closed or crowded, since it gives a sense of the park's mountain scale without a long drive.

The area has bears, so use food storage lockers and never leave food in cars. For a shorter option, walk the first mile along the river and turn back at a favorite spot.

Wildlife and plants. The route passes through red fir and lodgepole pine, then open granite where yellow-bellied marmots sun themselves on the rocks and pikas sometimes call from the talus. Watch for dippers, small gray birds that walk underwater in the river, and for black bears at dawn and dusk. In early summer, wildflowers such as lupine and Indian paintbrush color the slopes. Bring binoculars if you have them, and stay well back from any animal you see.