Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Two Parks, One Administration
In 1873 famed naturalist John Muir (1838-1914) called Kings Canyon "a rival to Yosemite". That may be an exaggeration but Kings Canyon and adjoining Sequoia National Park are very spectacular in their own right. The two parks and surrounding National Forests are home to the world's largest trees and the highest peak (Mt. Witney) in the lower 48 states. The giant sequoias (
Sequoiadendron giganteum) are the largest living things on earth. Take that, whales! They are, however, not the tallest trees as that distinction belongs to the coastal redwoods (
Sequoia sempervirens). The giant sequoias are found only on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada range and some are about 3,000+ years old. The most impressive thing about the sequoias or "Sierra redwoods" aside from their height and great age is their massive girth. The width of some of the larger trees is over 30 feet wide. The circumference of the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree in the world based on mass, is over 100 feet! But the General Grant, found in Kings Canyon N.P. is the world's widest tree with a width of over 40 feet at the base and circumference of 107.5 feet. You really have to see the colossal trees in person to get a gauge of just how immense they are. These following pictures really don't do them justice. The sequoias are a remnant populations of trees that were once found throughout the world. Climatic changes through the ages have left these survivors stranded in their Sierra home. The have no known natural enemies and no one knows for sure how long their life cycle really is. And in addition to some breathtaking views, there is (or was) some good
local marijuana to stash in your backpack! Oh Sequoia. Can you ever get us too high?
The Sentinel, a massive sequoia, Giant Forest, Sequoia N.P. Look how it dwarfs the visitors center at lower right.
Kings Canyon N.P. is actually the second oldest in the National Park System, behind Yellowstone. It lays to the north of Sequoia N.P. There's also a panhandle like projection of the park on the western side of Sequoia N.P. Here can be found the General Grant Tree, aka, "The National Christmas Tree". Trust me, you don't want to hang balls on this bitch. King Canyon gets its name from the Kings River which flows through its sheer granite walls. Just about all of the main portion of Kings Canyon is accessible by hiking trails and through the rugged back country.
A view of the foothills, Sequoia N.P.
Giant sequoias near the entrance of the Giant Forest, Sequoia N.P.
These bear warning signs are not just for show.
It's a black bear! This bear was about 50 feet from where the sign is.
Black bear (Ursus americanus) cub.
The General Sherman Tree, the world's most massive tree.
The General Sherman Tree in all its glory.
Close up of the General Grant Tree.
The General Grant Tree in full.
The two people, despite being much closer in the photos, a dwarfed by the General Grant Tree.
The incredibly wide base of the General Grant Tree.
"The Happy Family", Kings Canyon, N.P.
A view of Moro Rock, Sequoia N.P.
Trail leading to Moro Rock, Sequoia N.P.
Christ, I came up here to get away from people.
Ah, that's better.
Views from atop Moro Rock, Sequoia N.P.
Crescent Meadow, Giant Forest, Sequoia N.P. John Muir called Crescent Meadow "The gem of the Sierras".
Inside the trunk of my fallen giant, Giant Grove, Kings Canyon, N.P.
Kings River
Kings River at the bottom of a steep gorge.
The mighty Kings River, Kings Canyon, N.P.
Roaring Falls, Kings Canyon, N.P.
Mountain garter snake (Thamnophis elegans elegans), I think. You snakesperts out there can tell me for sure.
Finis
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