If you want to go
National park entrance fee: $35 per vehicle, $30 for motorcycles, good for a week; free entrance on Aug. 25, Sept. 28 and Nov. 11.
Big Meadows Campground: A series of four campgrounds with 45 sites for tents or self-contained RVs are available on Big Meadows Road (the road to Marvin Pass Trailhead); bring your water; elevation 7,500 feet; $23 per night. Reserve at www.recreation.gov. Open May through early October.
Sequoia High Sierra Camp: Developed wilderness camp requires 0.75-mile hike from Marvin Pass Trailhead; includes luggage pickup, bed in tent cabin, restroom with showers, three meals with gourmet dinner, with wine, beer available; elevation 8,400 feet; $250 per night. Reserve at 866-654-2877 or www.sequoiahighsierracamp.com. Open through Sept. 15.
Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park: Five campgrounds with sites available by reservation at www.recreation.gov; six campgrounds with sites available first-come, first-served; see details at www.nps.gov/seki or Moon California Camping.
Jennie Lakes Wilderness: Entry is free. No permit required for day use. Free, voluntary registration card for overnight use is available at trailhead.
Bear-proofing food: Bear canisters recommended for food storage in wilderness; rentals available, $5 for 3 nights, at park visitor centers.
Contact: Jennie Lakes Wilderness, Sequoia National Forest, 559-338-2251, www.fs.usda.gov/sequoia; Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, 559-565-3341, www.nps.gov/seki.
HOW TO GET THERE
To Marvin Pass Trailhead: From Fresno, take Highway 180 east 52 miles to the Big Stump Entrance Station for Kings Canyon National Park. Continue straight 1.5 miles to the Generals Highway. Turn right (toward Sequoia National Park) and go 7 miles to Forest Road 14S11 (signed Big Meadows Horse Corral). Turn left and go 10.5 miles (paved, narrow at times, you will pass a series of campgrounds) to Forest Road 13S12 (signed Marvin Pass Trailhead/SHSC). Turn right (road turns to dirt) and go 2.8 miles to the end of the road. A billboard and trailhead is available adjacent to parking. Note: The final 3 miles are rough and high-clearance vehicles are required, 4-wheel-drive is helpful.