Category: National Parks Plus

Sequoia trees are recorded as the largest trees on Earth. These magnificent natural wonders are found ONLY in the Sierra Mountains of California. Elsewhere, there are other gigantic trees known as Redwoods, but the Sequoia grows only in the Sierra Mountains due to specific climate and soil conditions.

The inner core of the tree is protected by the outer layers, therefore, it is possible for a Sequoia to survive fire and other adverse conditions. Indeed, fire is necessary for the sprouting of its seedlings. Research suggests that some Sequoia trees have been growing for over 2000 years.

In the past seven weeks I have hiked among these Giants and can testify to their power and beauty. If trees could talk what stories could be told ? !! Surprisingly most of the other hikers I meet are from other countries.  Please!!  You owe it to yourself and your country to plan a trip to visit these beautiful national heroes!!

Photo Captions:  Please click back and forth for a full view.
#1. At dusk, a charred Sequoia growing on a boulder
#2. Hiking through a Tree Doorway
#3. Friend, Alexis, amid the Giants
#4. Stand of adolescent trees
#5. World’s Largest Tree, General Sherman
#6. Tree and boulder become one!
#7. Heavily burned but still growing
#8. Same tree looking through the burn
#9. Alexis and roots of a fallen tree

The hiking in King’s Canyon is superb! There are endless miles of hiking trails; some to lakes or waterfalls, some to the biggest trees on the planet, and others to fabulous view points high above the earth. One such viewpoint is the Buck Rock Lookout Post. At 8,500 feet it is a bit like being in an airplane. The post is used as a lookout for fires and the park employees sleep there. Check out these photos and click back and forth for a larger view. I was clinging to the railing to be sure!!

Photo Captions:
#1  The lookout from ground level; click for full view.
#2  Halfway up the steps
#3  At the railing of the lookout
#4  Close up, check out the bird feeder behind my pigtail.
#5  At 8,500 feet this hummingbird was inches from my camera!
#6  Back at the base with Smokey the Bear, ambassador of fire safety.