Sequoia National Park is best known for its big trees, and in winter when storms grace the High Sierra with deep snows those trees offer a stunning cinnamon-hued backdrop for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
    Ranging through Sequoia’s Giant Forest and Lodgepole areas and in neighboring Kings Canyon National Park’s Grant Grove are 74 miles of marked, but not necessarily groomed, cross-country trails. Park rangers typically offer guided snowshoe tours in Grant Grove and from Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia on Saturdays and holidays when conditions allow. The park even tosses in the snowshoes for these free, two-hour, one-mile long jaunts. To reserve a spot, call 559-565-4480 to participate in the Wuksachi tour or 559-565-4307 for the Grant Grove walk.
    Hardy, experienced skiers or snowshoers can rent the Pear Lake Ski Hut for more of a backcountry experience. Set six miles above Wolverton Meadow and roughly three-eighths of a mile north of Pear Lake at an elevation of 9,200 feet, this woodstove-heated hut sleeps 10 ($24/person). While a lottery conducted in November doles out many of the hut’s available nights, visit the Sequoia Natural History Association’s website to find vacancies throughout the winter and then call 559-565-3759 to arrange a reservation.
    Pending lodging specials at the Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia start at $109 per night every night, and include your choice of either snowshoe or cross-country ski equipment for adults and snow disks for kids. To check on availability, click on the lodge name above to be taken to its website or call 888-252-5757.