Hiking the Big Stump Loop Trail in Kings Canyon National Park

Distance: 2.2 miles / 3.5 km

The Big Stump Trail, more commonly known as the Big Stump Loop Trail, is one of my top recommendations when visiting the Grant Grove District in Kings Canyon National Park!

I say this because the Big Stump Trail is, without a doubt, the best trail to see and learn about just how close Sequoia trees were to being lost to the logging industry, much like the Redwoods in the northwestern part of the state.

That being said, there are a handful of different optional routes that one can take on the Big Stump Loop Trail, which is why the distance above is a bit longer than in other sources, such as AllTrails and others, as this includes the longest route around Big Stump Meadow and the side trail up to the Sawed Tree near the end.

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trailhead Parking

The Big Stump Loop Trail can begin at either of two different trailheads.

First, there is the main trailhead, beginning from the Big Stump Picnic Area. Alternatively, there is the optional and lesser-known trailhead near the Kings Canyon entrance station, where the trail crosses over Highway 180.

With that in mind, I don’t feel that it makes too much of a difference where you choose to begin the loop, except that the Highway 180 trailhead is the closest parking area to the Mark Twain Stump if that’s all you’re interested in seeing.

Google Maps Directions: Big Stump Loop Trailhead

Big Stump Loop Trailhead (Picnic Area)

Big Stump Loop Trailhead (Highway 180)

 

Hiking Checklist - Sequoia-Kings Canyon

Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.

That being said, bear spray is purposefully excluded from this list because, while the Sierra Nevadas are home to a large black bear population, bear spray is not allowed in either Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Park.

Hiking the Big Stump Loop Trail

Beginning from the Big Stump Picnic Area, the loop begins behind the restroom.

Big Stump Loop Trailhead

Big Stump Loop Trailhead

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Initially, the trail descends about 130 ft. (40 m) from the picnic area to the Big Stump Meadow, which is the most significant elevation change on the entire hike, outside of the optional Sawed Tree Trail.

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

At this first unnamed stump, the trail continues toward the meadow on the far side.

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

This split is nothing more than a short out-and-back trail to another, unnamed stump shown in the photo below.

With that in mind, the main Big Stump Loop continues to the left.

Go Left

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

West Big Stump Meadow-Shattered Giant Junction

Shortly after the split above, the Big Stump Loop Trail comes to another junction.

Here, the trail to the left loops around the Big Stump Meadow, and the shorter Shattered Giant Trail that bypasses the meadow goes to the right.

Personally, I recommend going left around the meadow, but that’s not to say there aren’t more Sequoia stumps to see on the bypass, a few of which are shown below.

West Big Stump Meadow-Shattered Giant Junction

West Big Stump Meadow-Shattered Giant Junction

Shattered Giant Trail (Bypass Stumps)

Shattered Giant Trail (Bypass Stumps)

Big Stump Meadow Trail

Since I enjoy hiking around the meadow more than the bypass, this is the direction shown here, adding only about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) to the overall hike compared to the Shattered Giant Trail.

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Even though it may appear that the Big Stump Loop cuts across the meadow, the trail to the right is nothing more than a social trail, meaning a trail created by hikers over time.

However, the true Big Stump Loop Trail around the meadow continues to the left.

Go Left

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Aside from the many stumps along the loop, this hollowed-out Sequoia was one of the most unique features on the entire trail.

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Feather Bed Junction

This split to the left is an optional 0.1-mile (0.2 km) loop that leads to a historic trench, known as a 'Feather Bed.'

In short, a Feather Bed is a trench dug by loggers and then filled with sticks in order to cushion the fall of a Sequoia when it came down. This was done to prevent the tree from shattering on impact.

In any case, you can click the link below to skip ahead to the end to see this short loop, or continue reading, as I chose to go right on the much more common trail toward the Mark Twain Stump.

Skip Ahead: Feather Bed Trail

Feather Bed Junction

Feather Bed Junction

Big Stump Loop Trail

East Big Stump Meadow-Shattered Giant Junction

After going right at the Feather Bed junction, the Big Stump Meadow Trail meets back up with the Shattered Giant Trail that bypassed the meadow.

Here, go left to continue on the Big Stump Loop toward the Mark Twain Stump.

Go Left

East Big Stump Meadow-Shattered Giant Junction

East Big Stump Meadow-Shattered Giant Junction

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Second Feather Bed Junction

This next split is where the short 0.1-mile (0.2 km) Feather Bed Loop meets back up with the main trail.

That being said, go right at this split, and the Mark Twain Stump will be found about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) away.

Go Right

Second Feather Bed Junction

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Mark Twain Stump

The Mark Twain Stump is the most iconic of any on the Big Stump Loop Trail.

This is because this specific Giant Sequoia was chosen to provide a cross-section for the American Natural History Museum in New York City.

Yes, this Giant Sequoia died simply so that people on the East Coast in the late 1800s could marvel at a tree growing to this size!

Nevertheless, the Mark Twain Stump today is one of the easiest to reach, as the alternate Highway 180 trailhead is only a short distance away.

Mark Twain Stump

Mark Twain Stump

Big Stump Loop Trail

On a different note, I highly recommend hiking in a hooded sun shirt to stay safe on these exposed upper-elevation trails, like the Big Stump Trail.

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trailhead (Highway 180)

After the Mark Twain Stump, the Big Stump Trail climbs up to Highway 180 near the Kings Canyon entrance station, beginning the north side of the loop back to the picnic area.

This is also where hikers have the option of parking, which is obviously the most convenient trailhead for hiking the short out-and-back trail to the Mark Twain Stump if that’s all you’re interested in seeing.

Go Left

Big Stump Loop Trail

Once on the far side of the highway, the Big Stump Loop climbs slowly, as it regains the elevation lost in the beginning sections.

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop-Sawed Tree Junction

After roughly 0.25 miles (0.4 km) since crossing the highway, the Big Stump Loop comes to a short side trail that leads to the Sawed Tree.

Big Stump Loop-Sawed Tree Junction

Big Stump Loop-Sawed Tree Junction

Sawed Tree Trail

This is the short out-and-back trail that leads to the Sawed Tree, located about 0.1 miles (0.2 km) away from the main trail.

Sawed Tree Trail

Sawed Tree Trail

Sawed Tree

The Sawed Tree is a uniquely different Giant Sequoia that narrowly survived the logging industry of the late 1800s.

Today, visitors can still see the deep scars from this era. However, the Sawed Tree is reportedly a healthy Sequoia, despite its troubled past!

Sawed Tree

Big Stump Loop-Sawed Tree Junction

Once back on the Big Stump Trail, go right to finish the remaining 0.5 miles (0.8 km) back to the picnic area.

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop Trail

Just before the Big Stump Loop returns to the beginning, the trail passes through this unique tunnel directly under the highway!

Big Stump Loop Trail

Big Stump Loop-Hitchcock Meadows Junction

On the far side of the tunnel, go left to finish the Big Stump Loop Trail.

Go Left

Big Stump Loop-Hitchcock Meadows Junction

Big Stump Loop Junction

Big Stump Picnic Area

Overall, the Big Stump Loop Trail is a fairly easy and beautiful Kings Canyon day hike, and it’s one that I recommend checking out after the General Grant Tree if you have the option to arrive first thing in the morning.

I say this because the General Grant Tree is the busiest day hike in Kings Canyon National Park, which is why it’s nice to hike it first, saving other adventures like the Big Stump Loop for later in the day, as it will never be as busy in comparison.

Big Stump Picnic Area

Feather Bed Trail

This is the short 0.1-mile (0.2 km) Feather Bed Trail after the Feather Bed junction shown above.

That being said, these photos begin right after the junction and bypass the Big Stump Meadow-Shattered Giant junction that is reached by following the main Big Stump Loop, as previously shown.

Feather Bed Trail

Feather Bed Trail

Feather Bed Trail

Second Feather Bed Junction

In all, the Feathered Bed Trail is nothing more than a short loop around the same stump that can be seen from the main trail, except that the man-made trench from this stump is still fairly noticeable, considering all the years that the overgrowth has had to fill it in.

Skip Back: Feather Bed Junction

Go Left

Second Feather Bed Junction

Sequoia National Park

Kings Canyon National Park

Black Bear - (Ursus americanus)

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Hiking the North Boundary-Lone Pine Loop Trail in Kings Canyon National Park