Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks- July 2022

Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks 

After four days in Yosemite, another 3 hour drive led us to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.  These two parks are connected.   We stayed at the John Muir Lodge in Grant Grove Village.  This 36 room Lodge is very rustic with no air conditioning, although the heat wasn't as uncomfortable as we expected.  

Kings Canyon National Park 

Grant Grove 

Just a short distance from the lodge is The General Grant Tree found in Grant Grove, and our first experience seeing Sequoia trees.  These trees are GIANTS compared to the deciduous trees of Pennsylvania. 

 

 

The General Grant tree is the second largest tree in the world, 270 feet tall and 107 feet across at its base.   

It is also thought to be between 1,650 and 2,000 years old. 

 

Big Stump Trail 

Big Stump of the Mark Twain Tree. In 1891, the 16 feet diameter tree was cut down in 1861, then taken to places like New York and London because people did not believe trees could grow that big.  This tree was 1,350 years old when it was cut down. 

Day two of our visit we had to drive out of the Grant Grove region of Kinds Canyon NP, through wilderness area and back into the North Side of Kings Canyon NP.  

Grizzly Falls 

 

Roaring River Falls

 

Zumwalt Meadow 

Muir Rock 

Brodey never shies away from an adventure, which in this class including jumping off Muir Rock! 

Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park suffered from the fires in 2021, which closed Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.  The aftermath can be seen on the drive into the park, although there were plenty of signs of secondary succession. 

Right after entering the park Doug spotted a black bear (yes, black bear can be brown, blond, red, or black.)  These photos were taken with my telephoto lens.  

Giant Forest Sequoia Grove 

First stop is one of the most popular areas in the park, the Sherman Tree Trail.  This paved path takes you through Giant Forest Sequoia Grove and past The General Sherman Tree.  Expect to wait in line to take your turn for pictures with this 2,200 year old tree.  It isn't the largest Sequoia Tree but it is still growing!  

 

Big Trees Trail 

  

 

Sunset Rock 

Tunnel Log 

We left the sanctuary of the trees and drove back the next day to San Francisco for our return flight home.  This was a quick, but fantastic trip!  See you again someday, California!