Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Whitney from the West: Sequoia Shuttle

Looking to do the HST or variation (Alta, Mineral King, or Buckeye to HST) and link-up to the JMT at the end of August.

Thus far we are hoping to park in Visalia 8/13/16 (so we can hike 8/14), take the Sequoia Shuttle into SEKI. Once we finish we'll take a YARTS to Fresno, and then Greyhound to Visalia.

Is there reliable long-term parking in Visalia? Would we be better driving to Fresno, parking there and taking a Greyhound to Visalia to catch the shuttle?

It's a tad complex, open to suggest (note: to all Central Valley denizens [read: Steve C.]).

Living here, I don't have much need of a long-term parking location, so I'm not sure. I looked up Park-and-ride lots, and this one here is the only one I would leave my car for any number of days. You would then need a taxi or Uber ride to get to Greyhound. There are zero shown in Visalia.

If I were doing that trip, I think I would drive to Sequoia, and park in a trailhead parking lot or the big area near the Lodgepole campground (ask rangers first). I think cars would be far less apt to be vandalized there. Then on your return trip, take the shuttle into the park and get your car.

Another option would be in front of my house, but you would need to leave the keys with me so I could move it around.

And yet another option: Take public transportation (i.e. Amtrak) up to Visalia.

Yes, if you can drive to Visalia, why not just drive to Sequoia? You can get back to Visalia from any Amtrak connection, via Yarts and then take the shuttle to pick up your car. I would feel my car safer in any NP parking than any west side municipality. The only exceptiion to this would be if you could make a deal with the Holiday Innn in Visalia, which is a shuttle terminal.

Steve n Salty, I think the drive up to SEKI is best. We can catch the Shuttle back. Thanks for the advice.

One thing you will want to check is the shuttle schedule. It may only run to the park in the morning and from in the afternoon, meaning your arrival time in Visalia may not connect with a shuttle to the park same day.