Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks were a few hour drive from Paso Robles, California. We knew there would be limited access to both parks because it was winter. Fortunately, a few days of blue skies following a winter storm were just what we were hoping for. The General Sherman giant sequoia is the largest living tree on earth.
Sequoia
Sequoia and Kings Canyon are in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. The mountains rise to over 14,000 feet.
The roads at the Visitor Center were dry. We saw Red-tailed hawks and deer at lower elevations.
Our first day, the road to the Wacksachi Lodge was closed because over 4 feet in snow needed to be cleared. We had to turn around at Hospital Rock. Unfortunately all other roads were also closed including the one to Morro Rock and Tunnel Log.
Eventually the road opened and we were treated to a winter wonderland.
Snowplows were still clearing roads and parking. Apparently, they sometimes chew up covered cars, signs, and bike racks!
Two wheel drive cars were required to put on chains. Because we had four wheel drive with mud/snow tires we were good enough even though we had chains just in case.
Giant Sequoia trees can live for over 3,000 years. They are also the world’s largest trees. These giants thrive in the 5,000-8,000 feet elevation range. Fire is essential to prepare the soil and open the closed cones for seeds to germinate.
Kings Canyon
Originally established as General Grant National Park in 1890. It was later renamed to Kings Canyon National Park in 1940.
The canyon is a mile deep glacier carved valley. It’s north and contiguous with Sequoia National Park. It was a long battle between environmentalists including John Muir against developers and logging until 1965 to establish park boundaries.
Unfortunately, there were even larger trees that were logged in the 1800s. General Grant is the second largest tree on earth.
Most of the park was closed for winter. Many of the hiking trails didn’t even have snowshoe or cross country ski tracks.
Not only were the redwoods amazing, but the trees were covered in snow, ice, and frost. Some areas were closed because of falling ice hazard.
Three Rivers
Three Rivers is a town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range and a good location to access Sequoia and Kings Canyon. It gets its name because of the North, Middle, and South Forks of the Kaweah River.
It’s been considered an artists’ colony since the 1960s.
We enjoyed the numerous small and delicious restaurants.
Sequoia RV Ranch
The RV park had 50 amp service, good water pressure, sewer, but lousy wifi. We were able to pull in facing the North Fork of the Kaweah River.
Kind of a funky town with plenty of roadside entertainment.
Jake was very entertained watching these two play, so Sandy captured the moment.
