The Chicago Stump Trail is a very short trail in Kings Canyon National Park that leads to a very large sequoia stump. Signage at the stump explains that the tree was cut for the 1893 World’s Fair and shipped to Chicago. The trail is short and easy, but requires a three mile drive along a dirt road to access it.
Where is the Chicago Stump?
A lot of people miss seeing the Chicago Stump. This is because it lies at the end of a short dirt road that isn’t that friendly. We easily made the drive in our van, and most cars would be fine, but it is a bit out of the way for a stump. The dirt road lies just north of Grant Grove Village. Just turn at the sign. The turn-off to this half-mile hike is on the park map and easy to find.
We were the only people that we saw along the way to the Chicago Stump. That includes the ride out and back and the short trail that leads to the stump. That made it nice for a little solitude, and we enjoyed the ride.
The Trail
There is a sign near the end of the road, which provides a turn around, when you get to the Chicago Stump Trailhead. It advertises the trail as just a quarter mile each way, but we found it to be even shorter than that. It was actually about 0.2 miles each direction. The path is narrow and loops around the stump, but it was easy to follow. There is a little meadow off to the side of the trail. We really hoped to spot some wildlife, but we didn’t see anything.
As you hike, you’ll pass several stumps. It’s difficult not to wonder what in the world would makes someone want to cut down one of these amazing trees. The sign at the stump notes that Easterners at the Fair wouldn’t believe the reassembled tree was real when they saw it, referring to it as “the California Hoax.”
You can and will see other stumps in the park. But if you’d like a little time away from the crowds, you may try driving out to the Chicago Stump in Kings Canyon. The story of the mighty tree is the best part.
