Notes: Alder Creek Giant is the world's 19th largest tree, the 17th largest giant redwood, the 4th largest tree in Giant Sequoia National Monument, and the 2nd largest tree in Alder Creek Grove.

Drive: Alder Creek Giant is 237 mi (381 km) southeast of San Francisco near the city of Porterville.

Northbound: From U.S. Interstate 5 North, transfer to California State Route 99 North. From California State Route 99 North just north of Bakersfield, transfer to California State Route 65 North toward Porterville. Near Porterville, transfer to California State Route 190 East.

Southbound: From U.S. Interstate 5 South in Sacramento, transfer to U.S. Highway 50 East toward South Lake Tahoe. Drive east 1.7 mi (2.7 km) on U.S. Highway 50 and transfer to California State Highway 99 South. Near Tipton, transfer to California State Route 190 East toward Porterville.

From Porterville, drive east 34 mi (55 km) on California State Route 190 toward Camp Nelson. Just past Camp Nelson, turn left onto County Road 216 (Redwood Drive) and drive north 7.3 mi (11.7 km), past Window, to the intersection with Forest Service Road 20S03. Veer right onto Forest Service Road 20S03 and drive east 0.2 mi (0.3 km) to the Stagg Tree parking area.

Navigation System Warning: About 24 mi (39 km) from Porterville on California State Route 190 East, 10 mi (16 km) before the turn onto County Road 216 (Redwood Drive), many computer, smartphone, and car navigation systems instruct you to turn left at County Road 208 (Wishon Drive), toward Camp Wishon, for the shortest route to Stagg. But those same navigation systems may not warn you that this route includes 5 mi (8 km) of steep, rugged, unpaved road (not suited for average two-wheel drive vehicles) or that the unpaved road is closed during winter. Keep driving on California State Route 190 East, past County Road 208 (Wishon Drive), toward Camp Nelson instead. Your car will appreciate it.

Hike: GPS-assisted navigation is recommended for this hike. From the Stagg Tree parking area, walk east 0.1 mi (0.2 km) on the road, past a gate, and veer right at the first fork in the road toward an old ski hut. Turn right at the ski hut and hike uphill along a dirt road. Veer left at the next fork in the road toward your first view of Alder Creek Giant. Turn left, just past a pair of large redwoods, and continue hiking uphill along the road to the trail exit point near 36.18604 -118.62169. Leave the trail here and, using a GPS device, hike northeast 0.1 mi (0.2 k) off-trail, following the 7,000 ft (2,134 m) elevation contour line, to Alder Creek Giant.

View Alder Creek Giant Tree location in Google Maps

Panorama: Click panorama to take a virtual tour of Alder Creek Giant Tree

Photos: Pictures of Alder Creek Giant Tree taken from different sides