|
previous <
national parks
Kings Canyon and Giant Sequoia National
Parks include beautiful displays to behold. A fours seasons feast
ranges from colorful wildflowers in the spring to summer greens, fall
foliage for leaf peeping and winter snows. But the main attraction is the
Giant Sequoia forests and groves.
The Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument honor the
world's largest tree. Related to the redwood tree which is the world's
tallest tree that you'll find in
Redwood National and State Parks, the sequoia is the world's biggest
tree, measured by its circumference. You can drive through a tunnel cut into
a fallen giant sequoia tree in Sequoia National Park. Named Tunnel Log,
you'll find it in the Giant Forest along the Moro Rock Road.
Part of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, a 2,600-mile designated
trail stretching from Canada to Mexico, 78 miles of Sequoia National Forest
are included, along with the Giant Sequoia, the world's largest tree. It
grows in more than 30 groves on the forest slopes of this national park, one
of 19 in California. With elevations range from 1,000 feet to over
12,000 feet, there's plenty of challenge in a variety of outdoor sports
activities. There are three National Recreation Trails in the forest
named Cannell Meadow, Jackass Creek and Summit, hundreds of miles of paved
roads, trails and abandon trails, and ample room to roam. Forest drives,
hiking and offroad in designated areas are some of the options to enjoy.
At the national park located in the
Sierra Foothills east of the San Joaquin valley of California, the climate
varies wildly from semi-desert heat during the summer months to snow banks
on the mountain peaks during the winter.
Guest visiting the park can camp, hike
and even go on cave tours beginning in May each month and running through
the summer. The cave tour does not allow tripods, wheelchairs or other items
so it's a 50 minute excursion in dark caves led by flashlight that's
appropriate for those who are mobile. A fee is charged (around $11-15,
subject to change) and tours are limited to 50 people.
Getting there: Crystal Cave tours
are quite an ordeal, but well worth the fun. You can't buy tickets at the
cave. You can only get them at the visitors center, Foothills or Lodgepole,
in the Sequoia National Park. From those locations, it will take about 90
minutes to drive to the cave location. Located off Generals Highway
between the Ash Mountain entrance and Giant Forest in the park, there's a
half-mile trail hike along Cascade Creek to the cave entrance where you meet
your guide.
Where to stay: Hotel pickings can
be slim since there are only a few hotels nearby.
Porterville offers one of the closest options to the park
Who to contact: The National Parks
office is located at: Sequoia National Forest, 1839 South Newcomb Street,
Porterville, CA 93257. Call: (559) 784-1500
Other points of interest on the forest
include designated wilderness areas, lakes, quaking aspen campgrounds and
rivers that can be quite treacherous in the spring after a snow melt.
site
|
