Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks were a few hour drive from Paso Robles, California. We knew there would be limited access to both parks because it was winter. Fortunately, a few days of blue skies following a winter storm were just what we were hoping for. The General Sherman giant sequoia is the largest living tree on earth.

Sequoia

Sequoia and Kings Canyon are in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. The mountains rise to over 14,000 feet.

Sandy and Jake Huntley standing under a rock which was part of the old road, Sequoia National Park, California

The roads at the Visitor Center were dry. We saw Red-tailed hawks and deer at lower elevations.

Indian grinding holes, and rock mortars, Sequoia National Park, California

Pictographs, Sequoia National Park, California

Our first day, the road to the Wacksachi Lodge was closed because over 4 feet in snow needed to be cleared. We had to turn around at Hospital Rock. Unfortunately all other roads were also closed including the one to Morro Rock and Tunnel Log.

Snow covered Redwood trees with blue skies, Sequoia National Park, California

Sandy Huntley standing in a path 3–4 feet of snow, Sequoia National Park, California

Eventually the road opened and we were treated to a winter wonderland.

Park service snowblower clearing a parking lot, Sequoia National Park, California

Snowplows were still clearing roads and parking. Apparently, they sometimes chew up covered cars, signs, and bike racks!

Sandy driving the Jeep in four-wheel-drive on a snow covered road, Sequoia National Park, California

Two wheel drive cars were required to put on chains. Because we had four wheel drive with mud/snow tires we were good enough even though we had chains just in case.

Michael Huntley standing in the snow next to a redwood tree, Sequoia National Park, California

A grove of red trees with snow on the ground, Sequoia National Park, California

Giant Sequoia trees can live for over 3,000 years. They are also the world’s largest trees. These giants thrive in the 5,000-8,000 feet elevation range. Fire is essential to prepare the soil and open the closed cones for seeds to germinate.

Kings Canyon

Originally established as General Grant National Park in 1890. It was later renamed to Kings Canyon National Park in 1940.

A frozen Lake with aluminum boat stacked for the winter, Kings Canyon National Park, California

The canyon is a mile deep glacier carved valley. It’s north and contiguous with Sequoia National Park. It was a long battle between environmentalists including John Muir against developers and logging until 1965 to establish park boundaries.

Redwood trees against blue skies, Kings Canyon National Park, California

Unfortunately, there were even larger trees that were logged in the 1800s. General Grant is the second largest tree on earth.

Closed snow covered road warning that the snow only gets deeper and the fine is $700 – $1000 to be towed out

Most of the park was closed for winter. Many of the hiking trails didn’t even have snowshoe or cross country ski tracks.

Tree branches covered in frost, Kings Canyon National Park, California

Tree branches covered in thick frost, Kings Canyon National Park, California

Not only were the redwoods amazing, but the trees were covered in snow, ice, and frost. Some areas were closed because of falling ice hazard.

A grove of redwood trees in the winter with snow, Kings Canyon National Park, California

Three Rivers

Three Rivers is a town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range and a good location to access Sequoia and Kings Canyon. It gets its name because of the North, Middle, and South Forks of the Kaweah River.