Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
in California are far less frequently visited than Yosemite, but they
offer outdoor adventure among some of the true wonders of the natural
world. The untamed beauty of the parks are matched in magnificence only
by the awesome size of its forest colossi.
In Sequoia National Park the Giant Forest is home to the Giant Sequoias,
the largest living things (in terms of volume) on the planet. The largest
of these trees is old Gen. Sherman, who is 275 feet high and over 2,000
years old. Visitors to the park can also tour the splendid 3-mile Crystal
Cave and its colorful, 10,000-year-old stalactites. A trip to Moro Rock
presents the viewer with jaw-dropping vistas of the Great Western Divide.
Kings Canyon National Park is home to the Gen. Grant Grove and its many
titanic trees, as well as the majestic Kings Canyon. The canyon is the
deepest in the 48 continuous states at 8,200-ft., and is the location
of the Cedar Grove seasonal campgrounds. Hikers will love the scenery
here, and the Zumwalt Meadows are an excellent place to enjoy a picnic.
There are year-round outdoor activities to enjoy in the park. Backcountry
backpacking is fantastic in Kings Canyon, Lodgepole and Mineral King.
There are marked trails in both parks for snowshoeing and cross-country
skiing in the winter. Camping is permitted in the parks’ wilderness
areas, but a permit is required and making reservations early is encouraged
since the visitor-cap went into effect. To make reservations call 559-565-3766.
The Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
have abundant wildlife, including Cougars, Wolverines, Mule Deer, Ringtails,
Marmosets and Black Bears.
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