The trip from Fresno (after getting a grease and oil change on the car) was through similar terrain as to Lassen- golden grass, scattered rocks, and what I was told were oak trees, not olive. We entered via Kings Canyon, the northern most of the 2 contiguous parks. This and Sequoia encompass some to the most rugged of the Sierra Nevada range. We visited the General Grant tree, the tree with the largest circumference of any tree in the world- 107.6 feet! Both Dale and I previously thought the the Redwoods and the Sequoias were pretty much the same tree. Some things are similar- both have very thick, fire resistant bark, both are resistant to insects, fungi, and other hazards. The cones of both trees require fire to open them and disperse the seeds. They are in the same general family. However, the trees have some differences. The Redwood is only found within 50 miles of the Pacific northwest coast, the Sequoias only on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada range, around 7000-8000 feet in elevation. The Redwood is taller and more slender, the Sequoia is larger in diameter and is somewhat cone shaped. Both are awesome in size and spirit.
We left General Grant, and headed south into Sequoia to see the General Sherman tree, which is the largest (in volume) of any tree in the world. It is 274.9 feet tall, 102.6 feet in circumference, and is approximately 2100 years old. Talk about awesome! It is like standing next to a 28 story building! These two are just examples of the magnificent trees in these parks. The road out leads between 2 of these giants, close enough to open your window and touch the bark.
We did see one different animal in the park- a little chipmunk similar to the one we see back east, but whose stripes continue on to the sides of his face. Cute!
We left the park via one of the most twisting, winding roads we have seen thus far- and we have see a lot! Our next park is one of the largest and hottest- Death Valley.
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