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Just getting to the giant sequoias was an adventure
By Jim and Jane Whitcomb
We stood in silent, thrilling amazement from a mountain overlooking Kings Canyon as the sun set in the west. The sky turned a beautiful, brilliant red and remained crimson even minutes after the sun disappeared.
Then to our amazement we began to see the twinkle of lights from distant cities. Far off in the distance we could see the eerie red glow of burning trees, the remains of what is being referred to as the Hidden Fire burning in the Sequoia National Park. That fire is now contained. The smoke from this fire as well as other wildfires in California have resulted in atmospheric dust particles that catch the setting sun’s rays, resulting in fabulous sunsets.
We saw evidence of how dry the area remains when we visited Yosemite National Park. The spectacular Yosemite Falls is the result of winter snow runoff and usually does dry up by the end of summer but we walked the mile path to the bottom of the lower falls anyway.
Even dry, the rock and boulder formations are beautiful. Jim and I were surprised by how many visitors are from foreign countries. We heard many languages that we could not identify. All were friendly, but just as disappointed as we were with the waterless waterfalls. Bridalveil Falls; however, is a year-round waterfall. This year even its spring feed water has diminished. The winds whipping up the mountain easily blow the water back up the mountain. That is the dry condition of the park. Our dreams of beautiful waterfall photos will have to wait for another year.
Even at the end of an unseasonably dry year, Yosemite embraces the splendor of a true natural wonder. We stood in awe at the Sentinel Bridge on the valley floor and watched climbers steadily inching their way up the face of El Capitan, the tallest peak in the park. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first ascent. On Nov.12, 1958 at 6 a.m. the summit was reached for the first time. To climb from the base to the summit of this massive granite monolith is an ascent of 3,593 feet. Quite a feat for climbers even today!
We were a little disappointed with getting around the park. Lots of the roads in the park were closed to auto traffic. The park does offer free shuttle buses and for $25 a park ranger will guide you along with a trailer load of tourists to all the park destinations. Bicycles are also available to rent and then there is always hiking.
After exploring the Valley we drove to Wawona and Mariposa Grove, home of the giant Sequoia trees. Again the road into the park stops at the parking lot and to see the giants requires hiking or a $27 one hour, open-air tram tour with headsets that describe the various highlights. We went for the ride. The grove contains about 500 trees and is the largest stand of giant sequoias in the park.
We were so impressed with the giant sequoia trees that we traveled on to Sequoia National Park, the Giant Sequoia National Monument and Kings Canyon National Park. There are surprises in the wilderness. Just getting to these giant trees is an adventure. Sequoias only grow naturally on the west slope of California’s Sierra Nevada range, most often between 5,000 and 7,000 feet of elevation. They don’t die of old age and are resistant to fire, insect damage. Most die by falling over. They have shallow root systems. There are only some 75 groves of the giants left.
At the General Grant Tree Trail we stood in bewilderment at the size of these giants. An average height is 250 feet making it difficult to photograph at the base with a standard lens. The General Grant tree is as tall as a 27-story building and wider at the base than a three-lane highway. A relatively young tree for a huge sequoia, the Grant Tree has lived for nearly 20 centuries. Proclaimed as the “Nation’s Christmas Tree” by President Calvin Coolidge it stands as a true national monument. The Grant Tree is the second largest sequoia. In cathedral like Giant Forest stands the 275-foot tall General Sherman giant sequoia tree, the tallest of all the giants.
Much is still being learned about the Sequoias. Only recently have researchers found the need for fire in the life cycle of regeneration. On the day we were at the grove the forest service was preparing for a controlled burn.
We finished our trip with a drive through Kings Canyon, a spectacular gorge with canyon views that descend to the valley floor winding through the high Sierra Mountains. This glaciated valley features towering granite cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, and the powerful Kings River. John Muir referred to the area as “a rival to Yosemite.”
Interactive RV trip
Follow Jim and Jane Whitcomb’s rv trip through the western portion of the United States at www.imagehouseusa.com. Next week the Whitcombs will explore the Grand Canyon and Sedona, Ariz.
Then to our amazement we began to see the twinkle of lights from distant cities. Far off in the distance we could see the eerie red glow of burning trees, the remains of what is being referred to as the Hidden Fire burning in the Sequoia National Park. That fire is now contained. The smoke from this fire as well as other wildfires in California have resulted in atmospheric dust particles that catch the setting sun’s rays, resulting in fabulous sunsets.
We saw evidence of how dry the area remains when we visited Yosemite National Park. The spectacular Yosemite Falls is the result of winter snow runoff and usually does dry up by the end of summer but we walked the mile path to the bottom of the lower falls anyway.
Even dry, the rock and boulder formations are beautiful. Jim and I were surprised by how many visitors are from foreign countries. We heard many languages that we could not identify. All were friendly, but just as disappointed as we were with the waterless waterfalls. Bridalveil Falls; however, is a year-round waterfall. This year even its spring feed water has diminished. The winds whipping up the mountain easily blow the water back up the mountain. That is the dry condition of the park. Our dreams of beautiful waterfall photos will have to wait for another year.
Even at the end of an unseasonably dry year, Yosemite embraces the splendor of a true natural wonder. We stood in awe at the Sentinel Bridge on the valley floor and watched climbers steadily inching their way up the face of El Capitan, the tallest peak in the park. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first ascent. On Nov.12, 1958 at 6 a.m. the summit was reached for the first time. To climb from the base to the summit of this massive granite monolith is an ascent of 3,593 feet. Quite a feat for climbers even today!
We were a little disappointed with getting around the park. Lots of the roads in the park were closed to auto traffic. The park does offer free shuttle buses and for $25 a park ranger will guide you along with a trailer load of tourists to all the park destinations. Bicycles are also available to rent and then there is always hiking.
After exploring the Valley we drove to Wawona and Mariposa Grove, home of the giant Sequoia trees. Again the road into the park stops at the parking lot and to see the giants requires hiking or a $27 one hour, open-air tram tour with headsets that describe the various highlights. We went for the ride. The grove contains about 500 trees and is the largest stand of giant sequoias in the park.
We were so impressed with the giant sequoia trees that we traveled on to Sequoia National Park, the Giant Sequoia National Monument and Kings Canyon National Park. There are surprises in the wilderness. Just getting to these giant trees is an adventure. Sequoias only grow naturally on the west slope of California’s Sierra Nevada range, most often between 5,000 and 7,000 feet of elevation. They don’t die of old age and are resistant to fire, insect damage. Most die by falling over. They have shallow root systems. There are only some 75 groves of the giants left.
At the General Grant Tree Trail we stood in bewilderment at the size of these giants. An average height is 250 feet making it difficult to photograph at the base with a standard lens. The General Grant tree is as tall as a 27-story building and wider at the base than a three-lane highway. A relatively young tree for a huge sequoia, the Grant Tree has lived for nearly 20 centuries. Proclaimed as the “Nation’s Christmas Tree” by President Calvin Coolidge it stands as a true national monument. The Grant Tree is the second largest sequoia. In cathedral like Giant Forest stands the 275-foot tall General Sherman giant sequoia tree, the tallest of all the giants.
Much is still being learned about the Sequoias. Only recently have researchers found the need for fire in the life cycle of regeneration. On the day we were at the grove the forest service was preparing for a controlled burn.
We finished our trip with a drive through Kings Canyon, a spectacular gorge with canyon views that descend to the valley floor winding through the high Sierra Mountains. This glaciated valley features towering granite cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, and the powerful Kings River. John Muir referred to the area as “a rival to Yosemite.”
Interactive RV trip
Follow Jim and Jane Whitcomb’s rv trip through the western portion of the United States at www.imagehouseusa.com. Next week the Whitcombs will explore the Grand Canyon and Sedona, Ariz.
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