A Land of Giants! Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are fabulous!

The landscape testifies to nature's size, beauty, and diversity – huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees!

The two parks lie side by side in the southern Sierra Nevada, east of the San Joaquin Valley. Activity varies by season and elevation, which ranges from 1300' to 14,494'.

We entered the valley and were met with clear blue skies, sun-kissed mountains and blazing heat. We like to avoid extreme temps so we headed to higher ground!

The park roads offer a challenging drive with little or no road shoulder. Shear cliffs and hairpin switchbacks soon have an effect on the most iron stomach! There is also the road repair that requires a little timing. One section only allows cars through once an hour, at the top of the hour, so you don't want to miss your turn.

When we arrived at the forest we were rewarded with beautiful grassy meadows, cool shade, gentle breezes and low humidity. Immediately our eyes turned skyward in awe! Our jaws dropped at such a sight - those amazing tees - the Sequoia! It is hard to imagine such a species exists and you really cannot grasp it until you see them first-hand.

The ancient groves were protected in the mid-1800s, thanks to a couple of brilliant naturalists. Boy,are we ever glad they realized the devistating effect man was having on the forest and that they were able to do something about it.

The Sequoia can survive for thousands of years and have no predator - except Man. If you've been inspired by the magnificent Redwood forests (also beautiful and fabulous) you will be in awe of the Sequoia. There aren't enough words to describe them, but I'll try. They are fantastic, fabulous, amazing, inspiring, incredible, awesome, beautiful, majestic, towering, soulful and stately. The trees heighten your imagination and stir deep emotions from the very moment you lay eyes on them.