Tokopah Falls - California Waterfalls; Lodgepole, Sequoia National Park-hike/trail/map/directions

Tokopah Falls is one of the highlights to see in Sequoia National Park, a beautiful 1200 ft. high cascade along the Marble Fork Kaweah River. It is one of the highest waterfalls in California outside of Yosemite, and in the spring, when the snow is melting, it is undoubtedly an amazing sight. We were here in the spring 2007, but after a dry winter, so it was really more like Autumn (for the waterfalls flow), but it was still a beautiful cascade, reminding me somewhat of Horsetail Falls near Lake Tahoe.

The trail to Tokopah Falls is probably one of the most popular, if not the most popular, hikes in Sequoia National Park. So it will be very busy. I suggest hiking to the falls first thing in the morning. I was there at sunrise, and was the only one around. The hike is very easy, gently rising 600 ft. in elevation up to the falls. As you get closer to the waterfall, you will be able to see most of the entire 1200 ft. cascade falling down the granite rock (only the uppermost section cannot be seen). The trail ends right at the base of the falls. Some people have no doubt scrambled up higher to see more of the upper sections up close, but the cliffs are steep and the rock is slick, so I would not recommend doing anything like that.

Although it is said that Tokopah Falls is 1200 ft. high, I admit that it sure does not seem nearly that high, especially from up close. To me it seems like maybe half that height in total, or maybe even a bit less. I asked my wife how high she thought it was, and she said 100 ft. Thats a bit extreme, but it is true that it does not seem as high as it is. Nonetheless, I double-checked the topo maps and they show a height of around 1000-1100 ft. So it really is as high as they say, though maybe not quite 1200 ft.

One more note: watch out for the giant killer marmots at the base of Tokopah Falls. One of them tried to drag off our child backpack carrier, then tried to eat my daughter. I am kidding, but these things really have no fear, and did come right up to my daughter within inches, looking for food or some such thing. I have heard that it is even worse at nearby Mineral King if you plan to go there. We, unfortunately, could not make it out to Mineral King to see the waterfalls there, but apparently the marmots there will chew up your cars radiator hose while you are out hiking. Thats darn scary to me, considering you are a long 30 miles from civilization.

2 Miles ENE Lodgepole CA (Elev. 9180 ft)

Overnight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday
A chance of rain between 11am and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Snow level 9300 feet rising to 10200 feet in the afternoon. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Wind chill values as low as 29. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Wednesday Night
A chance of rain before 8pm, then a chance of rain and snow between 8pm and 5am, then a slight chance of snow after 5am. Some thunder is also possible. Snow level 10100 feet lowering to 9200 feet after midnight . Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Wind chill values as low as 25. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Thursday
A slight chance of snow before 8am, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers between 8am and 11am, then a chance of rain showers after 11am. Some thunder is also possible. Snow level rising to 10200 feet in the afternoon. Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Wind chill values as low as 26. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west northwest in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Thursday Night
A slight chance of rain showers, mixing with snow after 8pm, then gradually ending. Some thunder is also possible. Snow level 9800 feet. Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
Friday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Snow level 9300 feet rising to 10000 feet in the afternoon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Friday Night
A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 11pm, then a chance of rain showers after 5am. Some thunder is also possible. Snow level 10000 feet lowering to 9500 feet. Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Saturday
A chance of rain and snow showers before 8am, then snow showers likely. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday Night
Snow showers likely before 11pm, then a chance of snow after 11pm. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. West southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday
Snow likely before 11am, then snow showers likely after 11am. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy and cold, with a high near 28. West southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night
A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Monday
A 30 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 35. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Monday Night
A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. West southwest wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight.