Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California
The most common soil here is Typic Cryorthents, on about 10% of the land. Lackey and Siberian come next.
About 61% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 12% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 90% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 43% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock outcrop, granitic-Benchlake, moist-Langille complex, 2 to 45 percent slopes | 59K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Rock outcrop, granitic-Isosceles, cool-Langille, cool complex, 5 to 75 percent slopes | 47K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Beetlerock-Windowpeak complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop, granitic-Canisrocks-Typic Cryorthents, warm complex, 30 to 100 percent slopes | 38K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Typic Cryorthents, 30 to 90 percent slopes | 34K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop, granitic crags, 30 to 100 percent slopes | 33K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Siberian, dry-Lapin complex, 5 to 25 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Canisrocks-Typic Cryorthents, warm-Rock outcrop, granitic complex, 30 to 100 percent slopes | 28K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Siberian, dry-Canisrocks, dry complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop, granitic-Typic Cryorthents-Canisrocks, scree complex, 30 to 100 percent slopes | 26K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Rock outcrop, granitic-Isosceles-McDermand complex, 2 to 20 percent slopes | 24K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Dorst, moist-Beetlerock-Rock outcrop, granitic complex, 15 to 100 percent slopes | 24K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tharpslog-Canyonview, warm-Cabincove complex, 20 to 70 percent slopes | 23K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop, granitic-Dorst-Lackey complex, 45 to 125 percent slopes | 22K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop, granitic-Doncecil, cool-Pigchute, avalanche complex, 15 to 125 percent slopes | 21K | A | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Rock outcrop, granitic-Typic Cryorthents, warm complex, 30 to 90 percent slopes | 19K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Rock outcrop, granitic crags-Typic Cryorthents complex, 30 to 100 percent slopes | 19K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Edencreek-Grunigen-Edencreek, warm complex, 30 to 80 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Windowpeak-Halstead complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lackey, cool-Dorst complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 18K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 90% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 94% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.