Sequoia & Kings Canyon

This granite boulder created a tunnel over the Generals Highway until the road was rerouted. Accessible parking and a paved path provide easy access to the old roadway beneath Tunnel Rock.

Around 500 members of the Monache tribe lived here circa 1350 A.D. The main attraction at Hospital Rock are the pictographs (rock paintings) of these Native American artists. A short trail begins across the street and leads to the river bank.

Armen and I are definitely getting some sick Subaru pics here :)

We'll do a quick stop here to buy firewood and other last minute items. I believe there are also paid showers here, should anyone want one :)

Home, sweet home!

Behind the lodge is the Stony Creek Trailhead. A quick 1 mile out-and-back trail that runs alongside Stony Creek.

Gotta get that NPS swag!!! You can also pay your entry fee here if you don't have an America The Beautiful Annual Pass

King's Canyon National Park - Second largest Sequoia in the world!

You are about to travel among some of the giants of the world. The General Grant Trail is an easy loop through the Grant Grove of sequoias.

The grove's namesake, the General Grant Tree, is the second-largest tree by volume in the world. President Coolidge proclaimed the General Grant Tree as the Nation's Christmas tree in 1926.

I also recommend a hike to the Sequoia Lake Overlook. Take the North Grove Trail to the Dead Giant Loop Trial to get there, and the Sunset Trail to get back :)

Here we can hike the Hume Lake Loop trail that goes around the entire lake! It's 2.8 miles and takes about an hour to complete. They even have a picnic area if we want to eat by the water!

This is a 4-mile out-and-back trail near Sequoia National Park, California. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 hour to complete. Review from May 2022 "Amazing walk along the river! Did this trail yesterday -- saw a mama bear and two cubs foraging right off the trail. Also saw marmots and some really pretty birds! The trail ends at a gorgeous view of Tokopah Falls with a nice spot for a picnic. Watch out for the marmots at the end of the trail, because they're hiding under the rocks right at the viewpoint 10/10 views, awesome bang for the buck, would definitely do again!"

Don't you mean General Shroomin Tree?? This is the world's largest tree by volume!

A small taste of what you'll learn at the museum:

The undisputed King of the Forest, the General Sherman Tree is not only the largest living tree in the world, but the largest living organism, by volume, on the planet. A giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), General Sherman is:

~ 2,100 years old ~ 2.7 million pounds ~ 275 feet tall ~ 100 feet wide at its trunk

You'll also learn the difference between Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) and Sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum)

SPOILER ALERT: Redwoods are significantly taller (311ft vs 275ft), but Sequoias are significantly more massive

350 steps to get to the top. The hike can be strenuous; taking your time as you climb can help you adjust to the thinner air at higher elevations.

Review from May 2022 "Basically a stairmaster, but tons of places to stop off for a break. Pretty narrow stairs so just be mindful that it's like one way traffic- let others go first if you have a wide spot to stop. 360 views at the top made it well worth the climb! "