I was time to see more big trees in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks!
Our home base was a great campground in Three Rivers, CA. If the campground had a cell phone signal (which they can’t control) and laundry facilities (which they can control), we’d have given it a perfect “5”. We were told that the campground stays full through the summer. The first week we were there, only a few others shared it with us. We even had it to ourselves one night. The following night, there was just one other trailer. After we returned from hiking the next day, the campground was 3/4 full! It’s amazing how abruptly our “neighborhood” changed!
Our first day, we got a late start and went to the visitor center. After getting a bunch of good info, we did a quick hike in the foothills. The “chaparral” zone of the southern California mountains has all kinds of flora we are unfamiliar with. It was very unlike the vegetation in the Pacific NW that we are used to. Unfortunately, a little blood-sucking parasite hitched a ride on Arleen!
The rocks along the little creek were colorful. The sun setting and the moon rising over the Sierras.
This was our first hike in the Giant Forest of Sequoia NP. We hiked out to Sunset Rock and enjoyed the view west over the San Joaquin Valley. Then we did the Big Trees Tail that circled Round Meadow. This was a great .6 mile section of trail with interpretive signs. The trees were spectacular and we learned more about the area.
Everyone should do this easy .6-mile trail! It’s amazing how this tree has grown around the boulder.
It was time for harder exercise! This hike climbed up to Hanging Rock, descended, and then climbed to Moro Rock for a total ascent of 1,500 feet. The views were incredible and we spent a lot of time among the stately sequoias.
We are going up there to Moro Rock.
Trying to push over “Hanging Rock” View from Hanging Rock with Moro Rock in the background.
Nearing the top of Moro Rock A self portrait at the top of Moro Rock
There were two deer ducking in and out of the giant sequoias. In spite of my best efforts and many pictures, this is the best picture I got. We really enjoyed watching the deer. The huge trees made them look so small.
The tunnel tree…you can still drive through it.
This was Arleen’s favorite hike. We started at Moro Rock and walked the Sugar Pine Trail to Bobcat Point and Eagle View for amazing vistas. Then we dropped into the sequoia grove and looped three pretty meadows. Each meadow was ringed with huge trees. We went inside in Tharp’s Log. Tharp was likely the first white settler in the area and he grazed his cattle here each summer.
Bobcat Point with Moro Rock in the background Looking west from Eagle View
Outside Tharp’s Log Inside Tharp’s Log. Bed in back and table in the front
This 2,300 year old tree fell in June 1959 during perfect weather.
It was a bit freaky to think that one of these giants could fall anytime!
We really like groups of the huge trees. It makes us feel quite small.
This was our first trip over to Kings Canyon NP. The hike started by walking past the second largest tree on earth: General Grant. It was the most impressive tree yet! Then, about 3 miles into the hike, Arleen fell and skinned and bruised her knee. We were roughly half way and decided to continue. Then she fell again…poor Arleen. She limped 3 or 4 tough miles back to the truck. We still enjoyed the view over Sequoia Lake and Ella Falls.
Arleen getting into the map. We had just finished a nice picnic overlooking Sequoia Lake.
Arleen took a day off to rest her knee. While she rested, I did a 4-mile hike in one hour. It was great exercise! Our little 4-legged friend enjoyed it too.
Arleen’s knee felt better so we went back to the Giant Forest in Sequoia NP. It was time to see the most massive living thing on earth: the General Sherman Tree. We really enjoyed the Congress Trail…it was one of our favorites. “The President”, “The Senate Group”, “The House Group”, and “The Lincoln Tree” were all highlights. The President and Lincoln Trees are in the top 5 of the largest trees. Make sure the Congress Trail is on your “must see” list if you visit Sequoia NP!
General Sherman…See Arleen? The Lincoln Tree
Arleen “flowing” with the roots of a fallen tree.
Arleen in the “Senate Group”
We spent our last day in Kings Canyon NP. We heard that the Redwood Canyon had one of the highest amounts of young and old sequoias. The trail climbs a ridge where you walk in and out of the picturesque trees. To the east, the canyon is hundreds of feet below and the high Sierras dominate the distant skyline. We descended into the canyon where many more majestic sequoias awaited. This might have been my favorite hike! Sadly, we didn’t take many pictures. However, we did see our first few snowflakes! This was a great finish to our trip. There is something special about walking among the amazing sequoias.
All told, we hiked 44.81 miles and climbed 8,545 feet…Whew! Though a little sore, Arleen’s knee is fine. She showed that little blood-sucking tick who was boss too. My girl is tough!
WHERE WE GOT OUR MAIL
Three Rivers, CA
In spite of tons of exercise, we have slowly gained weight over the last few months. Apparently we have been eating too well so It’s time for a change. We have tweaked our diets and it’s already paying off! In two weeks, we lost six pounds each! Our results have encouraged us to keep it up. We will stay strong and continue to encourage each other to meet our goals.
Our plan since the fall had been to go to Reno NV in February to ski the Tahoe region. Well, it’s mid January and there is very little snow in the Sierras. The few ski areas that are open, offer a limited number of trails with artificial snow. So it looks like this isn’t our year to ski Tahoe…we are moving on. The new plan routes us to Bakersfield CA for truck and trailer maintenance and then to Joshua Tree NP. From there we may check out the RV snowbird mecca: Quartzsite AZ. Then we will continue our desert tour with Mojave National Preserve and Death Valley. We WILL be in the Phoenix area sometime in March for baseball spring training and head to the Grand Canyon afterwards. Next will be northern New Mexico and then on to Colorado where we may linger for a year or more. The plan will likely change again. It’s exciting to have so many options!
Under a full moon in the Sierra foothills.
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