“Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” – John Muir, Father of US National Parks
You don’t have to tell me twice, Mr. Muir. Last weekend I took yet another road trip, this time to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, just a four hour drive from my home in LA.
I entered the park from the Foothills Visitor Center and ascended up, up, up a beautiful winding road. I arrived just before sunset and couldn’t ask for a more spectacular view:
The very next morning I visited The General Sherman Tree, the largest tree in the WORLD.
My best attempt at fitting the entire tree into one shot:
Look at me! I’m in a tree!
I was totally there:
Every girl looks forward to doing laundry at a National Park, right? Hey, it beats fighting over an over-priced machine in LA. Here I am at Lodgepole Village after spending the previous night in Lodgepole Campground. At least they’re considerate enough to provide a panorama of the views you’re missing while you get your clean on:
On the bright side, it gives this girl time to catch up on her journaling and post card writing:
After a picnic lunch of cheese, crackers, and sparkling water fit for a barefoot bunion queen, (yeah, I said it. Just call me BBQ)…
I did a little of what I do best: absolutely nothing.
Feeling badly for doing absolutely nothing, (not really), or maybe for eating an entire wheel of cheese in one sitting, (maybe just a tad), I took to a hike. So if you’ve ever wondered: just what does a hiking guide do on her days off? There you have it: she hikes! I never claimed to be multifaceted.
Little Baldy Saddle Trail is a 2.7 mile trail that leads to…
These sweeping views:
They make a person wanna go, Ommmmm…
I then continued north through the park entering Sequoia National Forest on my way to Kings Canyon and couldn’t resist this photo-op:
Kings Canyon is home to The General Grant Tree, the third largest tree in the world.
Wait a minute – I’ve now seen the first and the third largest trees, where is the second? After a quick Google search I’ve found out it’s called The President, is located in Sequoia’s Giant Forest, and apparently is rivaling the General Sherman in becoming the world’s largest. Watch yo back General Sherman!
Not first, second, or even the third largest but this tree deserves some lovin’ as well:
Little Baldy Trail was so nice, so Big Baldy must be even nicer-er? I started my second morning on this 2.2 mile hike:
Which lead to some fabulous views:
I even met a new friend on the trail, Andrew from Australia. Here he is taking a panorama shot:
On my way out I stopped in at the Giant Forest Museum to purchase a magnet to add to my ever-growing collection:
So there you have it! My glorious two days spent in Sequoia National Park among the giant Sequoias. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time to make the trip and I still left much to see and do so you better believe I’ll be going back one day.
Final Thoughts: What can I say? I’ve never met a National Park I didn’t like.
