National Park to Park Highway Archives - Page 6 of 17

Don’t Miss Kings Canyon National Park

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are close neighbors and always have been, but of the two parks I think Sequoia gets all the glory. It’s like Kings Canyon is Sequoia’s less popular cousin that mom insisted Sequoia bring along to the party to be nice.

Sure, Kings Canyon doesn’t have THE largest tree, only ONE OF THE largest trees in the world. Okay, it doesn’t have the steep waterfalls of Yosemite Valley, but Roaring River Falls is an easily accessible, pristine alpine waterfall. Don’t discount the wallflower park just because its neighbor is more popular. Kings Canyon has lots of great scenery, hikes and adventures to offer. Don’t miss it.

At the time of the original National Park to Park Highway, Kings Canyon National Park was known as General Grant National Park and it mostly centered around the General Grant Grove of giant sequoia trees. But like many National Parks, beautiful places are nearby other beautiful places and when they expanded the park in 1940, they combined the General Grant Grove with nearby Kings Canyon to create Kings Canyon National Park.

The Cedar Grove section of Kings Canyon National Park is a one hour drive north of the General Grant Grove. That one hour of driving along the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway was one of the prettiest parts of the trip so far, even with the aftermath of last year’s forest fire. The tall cliffs of orange and gray shone in the setting sunlight while the Kings River rushed below, tempting us with its promise of fun swimming spots.

Traffic was nonexistent and the views were gorgeous. As we drove to this secluded area I thought, Why isn’t this as popular as Yosemite? The cliffs and mountains were just as beautiful. The clear blue river dances over granite boulders and the area is a jumping off spot for all kinds of back country adventures.

I’m telling you, don’t miss Kings Canyon National Park. Not only can you hike to the General Grant giant Sequioa (which is prettier than General Sherman, although not quite as large) you can also camp in the Cedar Grove area, swim below Roaring River Falls, hike the Zumault Meadow or drive the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway.

We loved jumping in the pool of clear blue water below Roaring River Falls. The large rocks made great spaces for sunbathing while the water felt clean and cold as we dove in. Mountain Dad rode the rapids. I swam with Big E. The girls tossed rocks and climbed. We all had a blast.

So here’s my one piece of advice for you. Don’t make the mistake that so many others do and skip over Kings Canyon National Park. It’s a beautiful place well worth a visit on its own.

Kings Canyon National Park Photo Journal

Follow @MountainMomTots on Instagram to see what adventures we’re having RIGHT NOW!

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are so close together that they are operated as one unit. That may be great for administration reasons, but I think it gives Kings Canyon the shaft. In 1920, Kings Canyon was known as General Grant National Park and it was much smaller, primarily to protect the General Grant Sequoia Grove. Now that the park has grown in size, I hope it grows in reknown as well.

Kings Canyon

There’s so much beauty in Kings Canyon National Park, I wish it got more of the glory. With cliffs as impressive as Yosemite and giant Sequoia trees, Kings Canyon National Park is worth a visit on its own, not just as an afterthought to Sequoia.

I loved exploring Roaring River Falls and seeing the General Grant giant sequoia grove. The Kings Canyon Scenic Byway was one of the most scenic sections of road on our entire National Park to Park Highway tour so far. Kings Canyon National Park is beautiful and well worth exploring on its own. Here are some of our favorite photos from our tour, I hope you enjoy!

Little G explores a sequoia log tunnel.

Mountain Dad and Big E

Roaring River Falls

Her hair makes me think of a woodland troll.

Clear water, gorgeous setting – you know we jumped in!

Beat the summer heat.

Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

Giant Sequoia Grove

Giant Sequioa with burn scar.

Giant Sequioa

He’s a study stud.

Trees so tall you have to shoot in panorama mode.

Sequoia National Park Then and Now

In 1920, the National Park to Park Highway inaugural tour visited Sequoia National Park to see the largest trees in the world. Their tour brought them through Visalia in late October and unfortunately was cut short due to an unexpected snow storm. Still, their experience at Sequoia National Park has some similarities to what we experienced at this historic place.

National Park to Park Highway tour on Auto Log, 1920

Logging

Giant sequoia trees take thousands of years to grow. I have little doubt that if early national park advocates hadn’t acted to save the giant sequoia trees they would’ve been cut down and used for boring things like houses and firewood. Thanks to the foresight of previous generations, I get to see these beautiful wonders.

More than in any other National Park, I felt a gratitude to people who came before me. I’m proud that at some point in our American history we made the good decision to protect these amazing natural wonders. Being in the giant forest reminded me that humans are just a small part of the natural world, even though our impact can be massive.

Auto Log
Why is driving through/on a tree so fun? In the 1920 National Park to Park Highway tour, the drivers parked on Auto Log for the iconic photo seen above. The massive Sequoia Log doesn’t allow cars on it anymore thanks to a car partially falling through on a rotten spot in the 1930s, but I still stopped to check it out. We loved Tunnel Log, the only tree you can drive through in Sequoia National Park. The Ultimate Adventure Vehiclebarely fit – the life jackets scraped through on the top.

Crystal Cave
The 1920 National Park to Park Highwaytour had planned a trip to Crystal Cave but was forced to change plans when an early snowstorm rolled in. We got to visit this unique subterranean space and really enjoyed it. The formations are truly impressive, some still shiny with the crystals that gave the cave its name. Some parts of the tour had tight spaces (nothing like at Mesa Verde) so baby carriers weren’t allowed, but Baby L did great in my arms.

Swimming

Our favorite part of Sequoia National Park was swimming in Crystal Creek. I doubt the 1920s National Park to Park Highway group even considered this as an option since they visited in October. For us it was the highlight of the trip, even though it was a bushwhacked scramble to get there. The natural water slide empties into a clear cold pool. The creek flows over granite, tall trees grow all around and in the summer it’s a beautiful place to play.

Roughing it

Another similarity between the 1920s National Park to Park Highway tour and our stay at Sequoia National Park was the accommodations. The drivers on the inaugural trip mostly stayed in hotels and stopped in towns along the route, but here in Sequoia, the lodge was closed for the season so superintendent John R White gathered mattresses and blankets for the party to sleep on the floor. Our whole trip we’ve been sleeping on camp mats, so I can definitely relate.

General Sherman

Of course we hiked the General Sherman Trail to see the largest tree in the world. That’s the main attraction at Sequoia, and it’s definitely not to be missed. The General Sherman trail connects to several other hiking trails in the area. I was worried about crowds around the General Sherman tree, but the trails nearby circle other great trees so it seemed like the crowds were able to meander without becoming too thick. I loved that we each got to experience the peaceful forest together.

Me walking on Auto Log

Can You Feel It?
Visiting Sequoia National Park meant feeling awed walking under the largest trees in the world. Looking up takes on a new meaning when the trees seem to go on forever. Sequoia National Park was a special place back when the 1920 National Park to Park Highway tour visited and it’s a special place today. I’m glad I got a chance to experience it with my entire Mountain Family. People coming together for a cause can do great things.

Yosemite National Park Photo Journal

Yosemite. It’s a classic and has been from the beginning.

I know Yellowstone claims to be the first ever National Park, but Yosemite Valley was designated as federal land put aside for the public use before Yellowstone. And I can see why. The granite cliffs and waterfalls, the forest and Merced river all combine for a beautiful scenic excursion, if you can stand the crowds (more on that in my next post).

If you’ve never been to Yosemite, or if you go every year, enjoy these photo favorites from our National Park to Park Highway tour. It’s truly a beauty.