2015-18 Sequoia National Park, California
Hello All,
Sequoia National Park is one of a number of treasured national parks located within the Sierra-Nevada Mountains of California. It will be the first of many parks in the area that we will visit on this adventure.
Adjacent to Sequoia National Park is Kings Canyon National Park. These two parks are known as “Land of Giants” for the awe inspiring giant sequoias that grow here. The mountainous terrain within the parks varies between 1,370’ and 14,494’ and is spectacularly beautiful. Since we will concentrate on Sequoia Park this writing we will pick up with Kings Canyon in our next. A motel in Visalia was our home base for four nights for touring both parks.
We entered Sequoia from the south following CA-198, also known as the Generals Highway. It snakes its way up into the mountains and is a spectacular drive. Yucca trees were in bloom as the highway climbed up through the Kaweah River Canyon. We find them quite beautiful. However, you could see evidence that the California drought was taking a toll on the area.
Sequoia National Park is one of a number of treasured national parks located within the Sierra-Nevada Mountains of California. It will be the first of many parks in the area that we will visit on this adventure.
Adjacent to Sequoia National Park is Kings Canyon National Park. These two parks are known as “Land of Giants” for the awe inspiring giant sequoias that grow here. The mountainous terrain within the parks varies between 1,370’ and 14,494’ and is spectacularly beautiful. Since we will concentrate on Sequoia Park this writing we will pick up with Kings Canyon in our next. A motel in Visalia was our home base for four nights for touring both parks.
We entered Sequoia from the south following CA-198, also known as the Generals Highway. It snakes its way up into the mountains and is a spectacular drive. Yucca trees were in bloom as the highway climbed up through the Kaweah River Canyon. We find them quite beautiful. However, you could see evidence that the California drought was taking a toll on the area.
Every now and then we could get a glimpse of the Kaweah River below as we wound back and forth. Massive boulders were common in the river bottom.
The highway was originally built in the 1930s and then was widened in 1997. In the 1930s, no one anticipated the development of monster SUVs. About 1.5 miles north of the Foothills Visitor Center, a flat granite boulder on the western side of the Generals Highway caps a tunnel dug by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). It is known as Tunnel Rock. Until the highway was widened in 1997, this narrow passageway was the only route through. It’s now closed to modern-day vehicles, which would have a tough time squeezing through side by side. However, foot traffic can still stroll underneath to take photos.
We next passed the turnoff for Moro Rock. Since we made the climb to the top of it when we visited the park in 2008 we chose to bypass it this time. For those that have never made the climb it is well worth the effort. This large granite dome is a spectacular geologic feature. A concrete and stone stairway provides 350 steps to the top. As you hike along views begin to open up. To the west are the foothills and San Joaquin Valley, and to the east you look deep into a wilderness. Handrails along the way and on top of this massive rock make the climb relatively safe, though you should keep a close eye on small children because of steep drop-offs on top and along the entire climb.
As we continued on the highway we started entering into the land of the giants. As the elevation increased we also began to enter the cloud cover. In our eyes the scenery was truly amazing. Occasional sequoia trees started appearing in the beautiful green forest.
As we continued on the highway we started entering into the land of the giants. As the elevation increased we also began to enter the cloud cover. In our eyes the scenery was truly amazing. Occasional sequoia trees started appearing in the beautiful green forest.
Numerous parking areas are available to pull off and take it all in--which we did often.
Occasionally we would take a hike out amongst the giants--it is truly awe inspiring. It is a peaceful experience that we recommend for all. You must admit there is nothing quite like the glory of Mother Nature.
We enjoyed the effects of the low clouds as they seemed to enhance the composition of photos.
Folks ask if sequoias have a natural lifespan, an age where they weaken and die. No one really knows. Long life, rapid growth, and their adaption to the elements allow them to attain their immense size. For example, when injured in a forest fire or being struck by lightning most big trees heal and keep growing. Scars and burned out places can be seen in the following photo of this healthy tree.
The Giant Sequoia Museum was an excellent stop along the highway. In addition to the museum there are rangers on duty to answer questions and provide guidance. Plus it is adjacent to an exquisite grove of sequoias. Paved paths through the grove are handicap friendly and wind in and around the massive trees.
While strolling through the grove we came upon the Sentinel Tree. You might think the tree is big, and in one sense you would be right. The Sentinel, a 2,200-year old sequoia, is a monster compared to most trees. But in this land of giants, even though at 700 tons and weighing more than two fully loaded jumbo jets, it is just an average tree. There were sequoias in the grove that were nearly twice as large.
This grouping of sequoia trees are known as The Three Graces. All three are the same age. You might ask “how did these three trees come to stand in such a straight orderly row.” It is theorized that at some time in the past, a large tree probably fell here. In falling, it may have torn an opening in the forest canopy, letting sunlight hit the ground. Eventually one of the frequent natural fires here burned the fallen tree. Sequoia seeds sprout in huge numbers after fire. They grow particularly well where it burns hot enough to leave nothing but ash and bare soil. They survive even better where sunlight also reaches them. A row of ash left by the burned trunk of a tree that opened the forest as it fell would be the perfect spot.
Yes, there are three sequoia trees in the following photo.
Yes, there are three sequoia trees in the following photo.
Here are a few more photos from different angles of The Three Graces.
We next decided to walk into the forest behind the museum. And, we are sure glad that we did as we came across these bright red plants, pushing up out of the ground. They were a new first for us as we had absolutely no idea what they were.
After snapping a number of photos of the mystery plant we returned to the museum to talk with a park ranger about them. He informed us they were Snow Plants. Our next question was why would this bright red plant be named a Snow Plant. He informed us that in normal years these plants sprout up through the snow pack—but since California is suffering a drought there is no snow pack. Makes sense now!
Hopping back into our vehicle we continued on down the highway. Our next stop was the parking lot for the General Sherman Tree. The trail runs half a mile downhill to the Giant Forest sequoia grove where the Sherman Tree is located. It is a good paved trail with a few stairs. A second small parking lot along the Generals Highway is available for those with disability parking placards to park. From there, a wheelchair-accessible trail leads a short distance to the tree. The park service has done a nice job in trying to accommodate all.
The General Sherman Tree is the world's largest tree, measured by volume. It stands 275 feet tall, and is over 36 feet in diameter at the base. Sequoia trunks remain wide high up. Sixty feet above the base, the Sherman tree, is 17.5 feet in diameter. At one hundred eighty feet above the base it is 13.7 feet in diameter. The largest branch is 6.8 feet in diameter. The tree is not the tallest or the widest, but the overall size of its trunk makes it the biggest tree on earth.
It is truly spectacular and well worth the effort to see it.
The General Sherman Tree is the world's largest tree, measured by volume. It stands 275 feet tall, and is over 36 feet in diameter at the base. Sequoia trunks remain wide high up. Sixty feet above the base, the Sherman tree, is 17.5 feet in diameter. At one hundred eighty feet above the base it is 13.7 feet in diameter. The largest branch is 6.8 feet in diameter. The tree is not the tallest or the widest, but the overall size of its trunk makes it the biggest tree on earth.
It is truly spectacular and well worth the effort to see it.
It is really difficult to appreciate the immense size of the General Sherman Tree from a photo. To assist a bit with the perspective here is a photo of Miss Barb at the base.
Hope you have enjoyed riding along with us on this adventure. Next we will be going into Kings Canyon National Park--once again you are invited to tag along.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns