Saturday, September 17, 2022

Sequoias and Kings Canyon Adventures

 Our California excursion this year was to hike around Kings Canyon and Sequoia Nat'l Park. Thankfully the oppressive heat wave we experienced in Sacramento (115 degrees) was over and we had perfect hiking weather.  Most everything was getting ready to close for the season (end of September), so we got there just in time.

Panoramic Point

Panoramic Point
We stayed at Muir Lodge in Kings Canyon. Basic and comfortable. Brought some food, but had to shop at the village convenience store or eat at the take-out restaurant that had typical camping options - pizza, wings, salad.  With the season ending, we found that no park convenience stores had any kind of bread the whole time we were there - except tortillas!

Each day we picked an area of either park and explored/hiked. having 4 days there gave us time to see more of both parks than we'd seen in the past.

Changes from the last time we were there....maybe 23 years ago included removing private businesses from areas with Sequoia groves, recent repaving to recover from the 2021 devastating fires, updated trails.
Panoramic Point resident

drive toward Cedar Grove

Roaring River Falls
I remember hiking Zumwalt Meadow Trail over 25 years ago and thinking it was such a beautiful valley with water, rocky sections, and meadows. Due to a recent flood (the water), half of the circular trail has washed away, making it a hike in and return trail now. But its still pretty!

Zumwalt Meadow Trail

Kanawyer Loop Trail
The almost 5 mile Kanawyer Loop - near Cedar Grove Village - was woodsy and then very dry. The river we crossed by bridge reappeared later in the hike to be crossed by log. Needless to say, my feet were wet after that despite the Turk's careful tutorial of log walking.
Kanawyer Loop Trail

Kanawyer Loop Trail










Turk, the fire starter, roasts marshmallows at lodge





All lodge furniture was handmade
General Grant tree
It was time to see THE SEQUOIAS many of which were near the Muir Lodge (at Grant Grove Village). The 3000 year old General Grant Tree is the 2nd largest tree, in mass, in the world at 267 feet tall and nearly 29 feet diameter. President Coolidge called it the Nations Christmas Tree.

Michigan Tree fell in 1931 due to nearby spring-too wet!

Gamlin Cabin
Gamlin Cabin  was built in 1872 by Israel Gamlin, who with his brother filed a timber claim within Grant Grove.  The cabin was once used by the first ranger of the grove during the warmer seasons. 

cutting down Chicago tree into sections
Chicago Stump today

more sequoia stumps, and curious cows nearby

















The Chicago Stump is found at the end of a long, bumpy drive in an area called the Converse Basin - an area that was heavily cut by timber companies. The tree was originally known as the General Noble Tree.  In 1897,  it was cut down into sections and reassembled at the Chicago World's Fair to show unsuspecting populace that these giant trees existed. This magnificent display was referred to as the "California Hoax," because of widespread skepticism that a species as big as the giant sequoia was real. After the fair, the cut section of the 3200 year old tree was moved to Washington DC and sat in front of the Dept of Agriculture until it decayed. 

Chicago tree on display

a rusting cable used to lower sections of the tree





















Buena Vista Trail was fun to hike at only 2 miles roundtrip. Mostly a rocky trail up to a granite dome took us to a wonderful 360 degree view of the valley and Sierra Nevada mountain range. A great spot for lunch! 
Atop granite dome from Buena Vista Trail - no railings!


orange fire retardant from 2021 fires

piles of 'fuel' to be control burned

remains from 2021 fires - road had to be repaved

We headed south on Generals Highway to Sequoia National Park and the Giant Forest Museum. This is where we found the LARGEST tree in the world; General Sherman at 275 feet high and very wide the whole way. At the base it is 36feet in diameter! In the 2021 KNP Complex fire, the base of the tree was wrapped in protective fire sheets.
Introducing - General Sherman


chipmonks everywhere!!

welcome to the park!












































Lots of great hiking amongst the trees here.  At Big Trees Trail, the private structures have been removed and whole area returning to its natural state. We really were dwarfed by these big fat trees!  The stately coastal redwoods are the tallest trees in the world while these sequoias are the largest in volume.  
A tree tunnel

common for these trees to have fire damage

looking through a tree damaged by fire


nice boardwalk around Big Trees Trail

tree eating a rock?

more fire damage atop Beetle Rock-granite dome


















































natural rock sculptures atop this dome-where we napped







 

   The most impressive hike was our walk up Morro Rock. This granite rock has had a formal hiking path constructed on it since 1917 when it was built of wood. Concrete was added in 1931 with concrete steps in some spots and railings in others. The more than 350 steps - I lost count - to the top at 6725feet to look across the High Sierra peaks. 
Morro Rock - we climbed to the top!
I'm making my way up

Turk is overcoming his fear of heights

short rest

the TOP!!!

Looking over the edge

on our way down

a MUST !

Turk drives through the tunnel log
Only me who sees a giant penis sticking up from side of this mountain? anyone?

Feeling insignificant in age compared with over 2000 year old trees

Bright moon during the day

Cant imagine exploring this without pavement and car






















Our return through Fresno took us to a wonderful farmers market, celebrating mushrooms (fungi). Chefs were cooking, we were eating. Brought bakery bread back to Florida along with great memories.
making fresh spring rolls with mushrooms-yum!

love this sign !!


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