March 2018

Although these are two separate parks they are really treated as one, with a single map, etc. We spent two days in the parks, the first one primarily in Sequoia and the second in Kings Canyon.

Coming from Three Rivers, we entered Sequoia National Park from the south, through the Foothills Visitor Center. We were not far from the entrance but there was almost a one hour backup as many cars were trying to get though this single entrance gate, where you pay the park fee and get your map. Once inside the park it did not seem as crowded and we headed up Generals Highway toward the Giant Forrest, home of the General Sherman Tree (the largest tree in the world and 2,200 years old!).

Before you get to the Giant Forest you pass by Hospital Rock where Indians lived until the 1870’s. We stopped there and took a short walk to see the ancient pictographics and views of the river.

Vehicles over 22′ are not allowed past Hospital Rock due to the twisty-turny roads and switchbacks. We were glad to be in the Honda and not the motorhome! The scenery was beautiful.

As you enter the Giant Forest you must make it past the Four Guardsman, a quartet of sequoias across the road.

A short trail leads to the General Sherman Tree. It is truly impressive to stand near this 275′ tree. A 13 story building would just fit under its first large branch!

We were really surprised to see all the snow and with temps in the mid-40’s I really wished that I had warn long pants.

 

After leaving the Giant Forest we continued along Generals Highway making a stop at the Montecito Lodge with this beautiful lake.

We exited at the Kings Canyon Visitor Center with plans to return in a couple of days to see more of the Kings Canyon National Park.

On our second day visiting the park we entered at the Kings Canyon Visitor Center with no long waits or crowds. Look at these amazing views!

We drove along Kings Canyon Scenic Byway stopping at Big Stump for a picnic and had to check out the stump. Yes, it was big!

Our next stop was the General Grant Grove with the giant General Grant Tree. We walked through the grove marveling at the size of these trees.

As we strolled along the path we came upon the Gamlin cabin built in 1872 by Israel Gamlin who filed a timber claim within the Grant Grove. We tried to continue along Kings Canyon Scenic Byway but the road was closed just beyond General Grant Grove so we turned around and headed home. I guess we will have to explore more of Kings Canyon National Park and Cedar Grove Village next time we are in this area.