Sequoia and Kings Canyon, CA Apr 9,2015

April 09  Into Sequoia & Kings Canyon

 We phone the Sequoia National Park service and find that most of the roads are open in the park.  Chains or cables are supposed to be carried on some roads, but they have had little snow and we are told we’ll have no problem.

 We continue through orchards and farmland including walnuts, oranges, olives and stop for some fresh strawberries – just brought in from the field as we pulled in.

  Across from the stand is an orange grove and the scent of orange blossoms is heavenly!  There are fruit on the trees as well as blossoms!  Still not exactly sure how it works, but they get two crops a year and pick most fruit between October and April.  We buy a few oranges at another stand and admire their burros.

Blooming oleander divides the highway with red, pink and white splashes.

Then we begin climbing into the foothills, then steeper roads into the Park.     We head along the Generals Highway to General Sherman,  the largest tree in the US by volume.  The roads are very windy and steep.  A few wildflowers brighten the lovely drive.

Glad for those other gears that rarely get used! We begin to see snow around 5,000’ but  the roads are clear with a little wetness and slush once in a while. Sorry NE, but we are happy to see our first snow in quite a while and first sequoias ever! We stop briefly at a museum/visitor’s center then continue the climb to 7000’ before reaching the  trail to the General Sherman tree.

  The temperature is  around 42 degrees but the sun is warm. Snow is falling from the trees and we both get nailed a few times.  The trail is pretty icy/slushy in spots with water rivulets in others.  You can spot the tourists from places that don’t see snow as kids throw snow balls and build snowmen and adults tread gingerly.

 These sequoias are amazing!  The General Sherman tree is about 2200 years old   275 feet tall and 36.5 feet in diameter at the base. Wow!

Back to the General’s Highway, we head to the other end of the park,  crossing Little Baldy Saddle at 7335’.  The other end of the road is actually King’s Canyon National Park.  We wind up and down and around switchbacks and stop for a look at King’s Canyon. 

This park is very similar to Sequoia, though more  rocky and, Greg thinks, not quite as well maintained. Some wet roads and slush but mostly dry. About an hour or so later, we reach Grant’s Grove which has only been open for a few days and is subject to closure if they get another storm.We park and walk the trail through huge sequoias to General Grant tree, taller than Sherman but not quite as large in diameter.  A mere youngster at 1700 years old.

Temperatures are predicted to drop to the 20’s and we haven’t winterized the Trek, so we opt  to wind our way slowly down to 6,000 feet, then 5,000, then the snow begins to disappear.  We get back to orchards and fields. 

 We decide to do the Lowe’s again, this time in Fresno which is sunny and warm.  We have guacamole and chips followed by chicken from last night and fresh strawberries.                              .