Springville to Trail of 100 Giants: Tulare County Reopened Western Divide Route in March 2026

SPRINGVILLE, Tulare County — Visitors heading toward the Trail of 100 Giants from Springville have a notable official road-access update to consider before driving into the southern Sierra Nevada.

In an April 3, 2026 notice, Tulare County said the Western Divide mountain road route had reopened March 18 after winter weather restrictions. County officials described the route as an important connection between Springville, Camp Nelson, Ponderosa and the Sequoia National Forest’s giant sequoia recreation areas.

What the county reopening notice does and does not say

The spring reopening was an important access milestone, but it is not a guarantee that every segment remains available through October or that a new storm cannot trigger a closure. County road crews manage portions of the mountain routes, while Caltrans manages State Route 190. Check both agencies before departing.

The notice included Mountain Road 107 and connections via Mountain Road 50. It also identified Fox Drive as remaining closed at the time of the spring update. Changes since then require a current county road notice.

What can hikers expect at Trail of 100 Giants?

The Sequoia National Forest’s Giant Sequoia National Monument guide describes a self-guided loop of about 1.3 miles at the Trail of 100 Giants near Redwood Meadow Campground on the Western Divide Highway. Portions are accessible, but accessibility may vary with surface conditions, maintenance or seasonal weather.

Forest Service materials place the trail near stands of enormous sequoias, offering an opportunity to learn about the trees’ ecology and the monument’s creation. The guide stresses that winter access is weather-dependent.

Before leaving Springville

Check the Tulare County road closure map.
Confirm State Route 190 status via Caltrans QuickMap.
Review Sequoia National Forest recreation notices for trail and facility restrictions.
Allow significant time for mountain driving; the Forest Service’s brochure suggests roughly 1½ hours from Springville depending on the selected route.

Travelers should carry water, warm clothing and offline directions and observe posted wildfire restrictions. A scheduled itinerary should always leave room for road and weather changes.

Featured photograph: Taisia Karaseva / Unsplash. Giant trees in a forest, illustrative only.

Sources: Tulare County Resource Management Agency April 3, 2026 Western Divide reopening announcement; U.S. Forest Service Giant Sequoia National Monument and Trail of 100 Giants visitor information.

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