Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Often overshadowed by California’s famous Yosemite, the brilliance Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are some of the state’s less visited treasures. The two neighboring parks provide visitors with the perfect combo: towering trees and picturesque granite peaks. The breathtaking height of California’s Giant Sequoia trees give the forest a bit of otherworldliness that you won’t find anywhere else in the country.

The parks are home to some of the most impressive spectacles in North America. Kings Canyon’s famous landmark, General Grant tree, stands at 167 feet tall and is estimated to be over 1,500 years old. The tree can be accessed by a relaxing .6 mile loop, making it a heavily trafficked area of the park. Even more spectacular than General Grant is General Sherman. A staggering 275 feet tall and 36 feet in diameter at its base,

General Sherman is the largest tree by volume in the world, and it dwarfs its surroundings. This tree’s access loop is 1.2 miles, so its a bit more of trek than General Grant, but it is well worth the effort!

As for the parks’ mountains, they can be enjoyed by hike or from the comfort of your own car! The Kings Canyon Scenic Byway stretches 50 miles and gives visitors a chance to see some of the area’s most beautiful sights without breaking a sweat. However, if you enjoy hiking like I do, the 4 mile Tokopah Valley out and back trail showcases the parks’ best mountains, with a beautiful waterfall being the crown jewel of the hike. For anyone seeking a hike with little effort but huge reward, the Moro Rock Trail is for you! This .5 hike takes visitors up the side of a massive rock, leading to what is arguably the most beautiful lookout in the park.

While all nature is threatened by climate change, this area is in more imminent danger. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are currently on fire. Both parks are completely shut down and there have been multiple evacuation warnings to ensure public safety. Starting on September 10, 2021 due to a lightening strike, the fire has spread to 87,786 and is only 45 percent contained. Forest fires are actually vital Sequoia reproduction because they cause the seeds to be released from the pinecones. However, regional drought in the area has caused these fires to reach such extreme heat and magnitude that they are no longer beneficial to the ecosystem and are instead extremely detrimental. Park rangers have placed flame resistant material around the parks’ signs, buildings, and multiple trees, including General Grant, to protect them from the deadly flames. It is currently estimated that over 369 large Sequoias have been destroyed. Four firefighters have been injured.

While this wildfire was caused naturally, many are not. When spending time in nature, it is crucial to only set fires in designated areas following all regulations and guidelines. Never set off fireworks or any kind of smoke bomb, and always properly dispose of all flammable materials, especially cigarette butts. However, to truly protect our National Parks, we must quickly switch to sustainable practices in all aspects of society, or else these parks won’t be around to enjoy for much longer.