Showing posts with label Sequoia NP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sequoia NP. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Sequoia National Park
We traveled today from the Mojave Desert into the San Joaquin Valley. When we drove into Bakersfield, we began seeing orange groves and grape vines. We saw acre after acre of orange trees, as well as other citrus trees, olive trees, and palm trees. The weather was sunny and a comfortable 60 degrees. We then drove up into the Sierra Nevada Mountains into Sequoia National Park.
As we drove into the park, the narrow and curvy road rose to over 7000 feet. One of the landmarks is Moro Rock.
From Amphitheater Point you have a stunning view. The drive was gorgeous, but just a little difficult for a person such as myself who has a problem with heights.
After the climb to 6500 feet, we finally reached the growth of sequoia trees. Sequoias grow naturally only on the west slope of California's Sierra Nevada range. The giant sequoia has a massive trunk, huge stout branches, and cinnamon-colored bark. The taller and more slender redwood tree grows in a narrow strip along the Pacific Coast. The sequoia grows to 311 feet, 3200 years old, and 40 feet in diameter at the base. The redwood grows to 367 feet, 2,000 years old, and 22 feet in diameter at the base. The tree below is the Sentinel Tree.
The General Sherman tree is the largest tree in the world. There are taller trees, and trees that are bigger around, but the General Sherman tree has the most wood. The top of the tree is dead but it continues to grow in volume. Marty and I are standing in front of it in the photo below.
It is an awesome sight, and I was not able to get the whole of the tree in one photo.
To reach the tree we walked down a .4 mile trail that dropped 200 feet. Going down was much easier than coming back up. It was a bit brisk at 29 degrees but by the time we finished the climb I was quite warm.
Along the walk we saw several tree squirrels and chipmunks.
As you drive out of the park you see mainly pine trees. The descent on the north side into Fresno is an easier drive, with a wider less curvy road that runs through the trees with only a few areas with sheer drop-offs.
I was even able to let go my tight grip on the arm rest!
As we drove into the park, the narrow and curvy road rose to over 7000 feet. One of the landmarks is Moro Rock.
From Amphitheater Point you have a stunning view. The drive was gorgeous, but just a little difficult for a person such as myself who has a problem with heights.
After the climb to 6500 feet, we finally reached the growth of sequoia trees. Sequoias grow naturally only on the west slope of California's Sierra Nevada range. The giant sequoia has a massive trunk, huge stout branches, and cinnamon-colored bark. The taller and more slender redwood tree grows in a narrow strip along the Pacific Coast. The sequoia grows to 311 feet, 3200 years old, and 40 feet in diameter at the base. The redwood grows to 367 feet, 2,000 years old, and 22 feet in diameter at the base. The tree below is the Sentinel Tree.
The General Sherman tree is the largest tree in the world. There are taller trees, and trees that are bigger around, but the General Sherman tree has the most wood. The top of the tree is dead but it continues to grow in volume. Marty and I are standing in front of it in the photo below.
It is an awesome sight, and I was not able to get the whole of the tree in one photo.
To reach the tree we walked down a .4 mile trail that dropped 200 feet. Going down was much easier than coming back up. It was a bit brisk at 29 degrees but by the time we finished the climb I was quite warm.
Along the walk we saw several tree squirrels and chipmunks.
As you drive out of the park you see mainly pine trees. The descent on the north side into Fresno is an easier drive, with a wider less curvy road that runs through the trees with only a few areas with sheer drop-offs. 
I was even able to let go my tight grip on the arm rest!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)