Pinehurst

Pinehurst is in the Sequoias.  It is a small town that we are so so so fortunate to have access to a beautiful piece of property that our relatives have set up for camping.  There is a little lodge there where you can rent small cabins called Pinehurst Lodge.  And it is everything you can expect from a very small, in the woods, off the beaten path kind of lodge!  We very much enjoyed our New Years Eve in the bar/restaurant.  The servers and locals were very friendly.  Even had some fun dancing on the bar (I have a VERY fun family).     
Even though there isn't camping or hiking directly in Pinehurst I thought I would share some of our adventures there anyways.
From this town you can get to the entrance of Sequoia National Park and take advantage of all it has to offer.  Read my post  "Sequoia National Park - Stony Creek" for links to activities and sites to see in the park.

Baby wearing momma

 Boys cracking ice in the creek

 Boat sliding down the hill into the icy creek.  We live on the wild side.

 Hubby and I + Gauge

 

 Metal Detecting

 Their BIG find....old shoe polish.  Could have been worse, after all the land used to be Brothel Houses.

If you visit this area message me on Facebook or leave a comment below!

Sequoia National Park - Stony Creek

One of the most beautiful places we have been so far.....Sequoia National Park.   Lots of hiking trails, beautiful creeks, trees and critters.  We stayed during the month of July and tent camped in Upper Stony Creek Camp ground. 
It is located on the northern side of Hume Lake (18 miles from the lake) off highway 198.  You can make reservations in either Stony Creek or Upper Stony Creek.  FYI it is dry camping but there are bathrooms and water spouts throughout the campsites. 
Stony Creek runs on top of beautiful granite.  It is slippery but makes it fun for the kids to slide down. 

 

Didn't get a great pic of the kids sliding at the camp grounds, this is during one of our hikes but shows how they were sliding down the wet granite.

  Right below the Upper Stony Campground

 

My nature boy

 

We took one if the most amazing hikes to what we can the "Gorge", where Stony Creek and Woodward Creek meet. This was a medium to difficult hike but well worth it when you get to the pools.  Again lots of granite so it was very slick.  To get there you hike through the Stony Creek Camp ground.  I have looked and looked and it seems to be a trail that isn't used very often because there is no information on it.  But I guarantee the camp host can tell you exactly where you need to go to find the trail head, which isn't hard to find from the Stony Creek campground.
Here are some pictures from this hike:

 Yes it is a little steep once you get to the gorge. 

 My middle baby coming down the steep descend into the gorge

 Playing in the pools

 

Jennie Lake
From Upper Stony Creek campground is how you get to the trail head that leads you to Jennie Lake.  There is a half way point called "Poop out Pass" where you can turn around since it is a lot of up hill.  I just love that name, cracks me up.  But the hike is well worth it!  Leave early and pack food for the day and of course LOTS of water, so you can get the most out of this beautiful hike mother nature has provided for us. 
 
Nice interactive map of trails in the area
Reservation information
 
 
 
Here is a list of some more things to enjoy while you are in the area:
Crystal Cave Tours
Hume Lake
General Sherman Tree
Grant Grove 
 
 
 Hope you enjoy your stay.  Find  me on Facebook and let me know how your visit went!
Traci Vidal