Kings Canyon - Sequoyia National Parks, Oct 31, 2012, Part 1

 We left our motorhome to be repaired, (again- this time a new transfer switch which would change "shore power" [plugged in] or generator power to the household; otherwise we would just run off batteries.) and spent the day in Kings Canyon and Sequoia.  They are right next to each other.  We drove, from Fresno, on State route 180 east, to the north end which is Kings Canyon.  The Sequoia tree lasts for hundreds of years and resists decay.

This is the world's second largest tree, the General Grant.  They think this tree is 3,200 years old. It is 247 Feet high with a bsae 27 feet in diameter. The largest tree is the General Sherman.  Isn't it interesting that the largest is for a general and the second largest is for a president?

 Fire is a natural necessity for the propogation of Sequoia seedlings.  Nearly all the trees show the signs of fire damage to them.  The Sequoias only grow on the western slope of the Sierras between 4000 and 8000 feet.

 This cabin was build in 1872 by Israel Gamlin, before the area was made a national park in 1890.  He was lumbering the trees with his brother.  In 1890, the US Calvary came in to protect the trees. 

 This is the cabin.
 This is moss, which I believe only grows on the north side of a tree, (or is it the south side?)

 I was so desperate for some fall color and I liked the way the light "played" on this small tree!

This is the tunnel tree with the Jeep in it. We are now in the Sequoia Park. It gives you an idea of how large these trees are.

 

 This is Moro Rock, which I attempted to climb and got part way up.  It was very scary in parts because I had no handrail to hang onto.

 See, I really need to hang on!  (Fear of heights, darn!)

Jim, being his usual brave soul, went all the way up to the top.  This is part of the trail which I knew I could not do.

Here Jim is at the top with great views.  I think he is nearly at 8000 feet.

This is another view of the top.  This is well worth seeing in Sequoia!

Another view of the trail back down.

 This is as far as I got.  Well  actually I did climb about to where the trail turns but made my way back down to here to wait for Jim. This was a bigger area.

This is one of his views from the top!

 We went through this tree to get to the General Sherman, the world's largest tree, not the tallest but the largest by volume.

 This is one view of the General Sherman.  Remember, he is the one who burned Atlanta and most of the South!