Sequoia and Kings Canyon are situated so close together, I felt that I should count them as a single unit along our Trek of forty of our National Parks. And after visiting the Grant Grove and viewing the General Grant Tree...the Park's 2nd biggest sequoia...I thought, yep....more of the same...so I'll count Sequoia and Kings as one.
The amazing thing about these monsters is that they only grow on the western slope of the Sierras. Often mistaken as the same species as the coastal redwoods...which only grow along a narrow strip on the Pacific Coast...the Sequoias will rise to a height of 300' and yet produce a cone the size of an egg.
And watch out for those "sequoia eggs" when hiking. They can be as slippery as the worst of scree. Trekking along a path littered with sequoia cones is like walking on marbles! The bruise on my butt is proof positive as to how slippery Sequoia cones are!
The only way the cone releases its seed is when it is heated by fire. Yet for many years, fire was an ugly word amongst Park and Forest Service personnel. The policy was to extinguish all fires as soon as possible. Smokey Bear and Bambi were recruited for ad campaigns telling us that "Only YOU can prevent forest fires!" During WWII...Germans and Japanese were villainized as potential fire-starters. Everyone was hell-bent on extinguishing anything that smoldered...until now!
After years of research, it was discovered that in order for the Sequoias to reproduce...fire was necessary! They also discovered that these 2000+-year-old giants experienced fire about every 15 years and somehow they have survived. Consequently, the Park Service now does controlled burns in order to get those eggs to drop their seeds into the ashen soils so the species can continue. It is quite odd to see the firemen actually setting fire to the underbrush and trees...yet we've seen this in action in almost every Park.
Have I mentioned that the National Parks are NOT dog friendly? Everywhere we go, there are signs reminding us that our mutt is not welcomed here. Now we knew this going in...so we have only our selves to blame for dragging C-Dawg along with us. Terry swears this will be his last National Park tour. I know this to be true as there have been so many wonderful hikes to be had. And so many NO DOGS ALLOWED signs at each trailhead!
Picnic Site along the Kings River
I mentioned earlier that I was going to count Sequoia and Kings Canyon as one Park visit. That was until Terry and I drove out to the end of Hwy 180. We discovered what Kings Canyon is really all about. It's not about the General Grant Tree or the giant trees in the Grant Grove. The best viewing of Sequoia's is seen in the Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park. Kings Canyon is all about the King's River and the magnificent canyon it has carved.
The picture above is a sandy beach we found alongside the Kings River near the roads end. A terrific place to roll out the blanket and enjoy a picnic lunch.
Prior to lunch...pictures must be taken to memorialize the moment!
There were no NO DOGS ALLOWED signs near our picnic site so C-Dawg was able to plop his fuzzy body down on the cool wet sand and do what he usually does...nothing!
Terry, on the other hand, decided to refresh her feet and found the frothing Kings to be quite frigid! No kidding, darling! This is snow melt water. Forty degrees tops. And very refreshing on this hot summer day.
The Sierra's had a very long and snowy winter this past season...which contributed to amazingly high river flows. The Kings Canyon Park got its fair share and its river roared past us at every stop with rapids that would make even the most skillful Kayaker think twice about dropping in amongst the boulders and eddies.
All of the Park's literature warns of the dangers of the rivers and yet we still see idiots diving into them. More deaths are attributed each year to the fast currents and very cold waters of the rivers than any other means. Yes, the river is mesmerizing...and deadly!
Kings Canyon
Ice age glaciers with the help of fiercely flowing rivers have carved some of the deepest canyons in all of the Sierras here in Kings. And one of the best parts about exploring the far reaches of this Park...very few people does so! I was pleasantly surprised at how light the traffic was on our very scenic drive eastbound on 180 into the depths of Kings Canyon.
And if one were in need of a campsite? Plentiful here at the Cedar Grove Visitor Center. According to the Ranger, only occasionally do these sites fill up. She said that the typical day there will be up to 100 campsites available. And at the Cedar Grove Visitors Center...there are also hot showers to be found! Something my bride and I are now developing a genuine appreciation for!
Now don't get me wrong...I like hot showers! However, when camping, you find alternatives to the shower. Our solution...the Hob Bath. Heat up two pots of water on the Coleman. Fill the salad bowl with cool rinse water. Take one Camp Chair and two washcloths into the Hob. Get Dawg to lie down on his blanket. Strip down naked. Dip washcloth into a hot pot of water. Work washcloth from head to toe...bypassing the midsection until all other areas have been cleaned.
Squeal with delight once the trail dust has been washed away. Put on fresh clothes. Pour two glasses of Cabernet and relax by the campfire.
There's nothing like camping to get you back in touch with the raw materials of living! On our June Trek , we packed way too much gear. On this Trek, we trimmed down the load a bit (to accommodate the Dawg) and still found ourselves way over packed for the simple lifestyle that camping has to offer. Life is good my friends. Happy Trails to all.
Next stop - #16 - Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Bink... had a chance to see Nory the other day and told me about your travels... how amazing.. enjoy every moment with nature and your lovely wife. I hope all is well... seeing these pictures reminds me of my travels, and how precious they are! Take care.
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