Although not nearly as mammoth as Yosemite’s Half Dome, Sequoia’s iconic granite dome is nonetheless impressive. A quarter-mile staircase climbs over 300ft to the top for mind-boggling views of the Great Western Divide, running north–south through the middle of the park, splitting the watersheds of the Kaweah River to the west from the Kern River to the east. Due to pollution drifting up from the Central Valley, this spectacular vantage point is sometimes obscured by thick haze, especially during summer.
Historical photos at the trailhead show the rock’s original rickety wooden staircase, erected in 1917. You’ll be grateful that the current staircase, built in 1931 by the CCC, has nearly 400 steps solidly carved into the granite with sturdy handrails for gripping.
From the Giant Forest Museum, the trailhead is 2 miles up narrow, twisty Moro Rock–Crescent Meadow Rd. The free seasonal shuttle bus stops at the small parking lot, which is often full.
