Sequoia & Kings Canyon: Top 5 Outdoor Adventures
Visiting Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is just a pretty awesome thing to do if you like enormous trees and really breathtaking landscapes. That they are situated right next to each other in the southern Sierra Nevada in California, it’s almost like getting two vacations for the cost of, well, one entrance fee. The great thing about these parks is the crazy variety of outdoor activities on offer. It’s very much from casual strolls through massive sequoia groves to pretty challenging backpacking trips into the wild backcountry. But with a such range of stuff available, picking what to do can feel a little bit, in a way, overwhelming, I would say. So, I have made a list of the top five outdoor activities to totally maximize your experience.
1. Hiking Among Giants: The General Sherman Tree and Congress Trail
No trip to Sequoia National Park would just be complete without witnessing the General Sherman Tree. This monster of a tree is actually the world’s largest tree by volume, that is and standing in its presence is a rather humbling experience, isn’t it? What I think you could do is start your exploration at the General Sherman Tree, which is actually a very accessible spot from the main road. Then, just amble down the Congress Trail. That, is a paved loop that winds through a grove of other really gigantic sequoias. The trail is relatively flat, so, too it’s ideal for all fitness levels. What it allows you to do is, is to spend more time just looking at these ancient trees.
While on the Congress Trail, just make a little detour to see the President Tree and the McKinley Tree, I would. It’s almost just other impressive specimens which often escape notice. I remember going with my family once, that they just took some really fun pictures there and it actually became our Christmas card that year, I recall. That the sheer size and age of these trees provide a perspective on time and nature’s power.
2. Exploring Crystal Cave: A Subterranean Adventure
If you want a change from walking among tall trees, how about going underground to a rather mesmerizing cave? That is the Crystal Cave. It is located in Sequoia National Park. So you can arrange tours which, they usually last around 45 minutes to an hour, which might be quite beneficial. But remember, tickets might have to be bought beforehand, that that can actually be arranged on the recreation.gov website. Inside, is an entire distinct universe with very cool formations of stalactites and stalagmites, that it’s quite special to experience it, indeed.
The cave can be, too it’s cool all year round, so just bringing a light jacket or sweater is helpful. During our cave trip, there’s almost just like there was the sight of a couple of bats which, that really interested the children. Yet, if you suffer from claustrophobia, it can be not for you because some spots can feel a bit constricting.
3. Scenic Drives: Kings Canyon Scenic Byway
Want to give your legs a rest, how about that, yet still take in amazing views? I really do recommend Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, is that right? Just the 50-mile drive along Highway 180 from Grant Grove to Roads End, I reckon it is spectacular and really gives one perspective to the great size of Kings Canyon, so too it’s the nation’s deepest canyon. There actually are some places to just stop, that allow you to grab amazing panoramic photographs and take some short strolls.
Look out, however, for the viewpoints at places just as Kings Canyon Overlook and the Zumwalt Meadow, so that really they have extraordinary natural beauty and landscapes. I also remember just halting at some streams along the route to cool our toes, actually that brought a little bit of refreshment to the adventure. When driving during summer, keep an eye out actually for road repairs that might, quite be able to cause brief delays.
4. Backpacking in the High Sierra: Rae Lakes Loop
If you’re quite a keen hiker or backpacker, how about giving the Rae Lakes Loop a whirl? Very often known as one of the most scenic backpacking trails in the Sierra Nevada, that loop typically clocks at around 41.4 miles and goes up 12,000ft. As such, it does really ask for physical readiness and just an intimate grasp of backcountry navigation and some skills. That, really could make or break your trip!
The hike takes you, well, by a bunch of different terrains, just as thick forests, alpine meadows and granite peaks. That there are spots alongside that could have beautiful lakes, such as the Rae Lakes themselves. Back in 2015 when my buddy and myself, we went hiking, it actually rained cats and dogs one night and that made parts on the trail tough to go on. Making plans in case it’s bad weather, that would just be my advice to you!
5. Climbing Moro Rock
How does an effort of very steep stairs carved in to an immense granite dome sound for, just getting panoramic views of the Great Western Divide sound? How about Moro Rock! The climb up the rock is pretty short, that’s the benefit, but is steep, I’ll give you that. Anyway, with 400 steps which you must scale, that could take about half an hour to forty five minutes, just depending on when one stops to simply admire nature.
From the summit of Moro Rock, you actually see everything around. Which gives one sights to really never forget and remember? Once, back during my youth I did take a sweetheart to view it one night, in particular. But remember it can, too it’s crowded at the height of summer. So heading there early in the day might assist you just avoid much people. Too, with this altitude one has really to watch for kids while on high ground at the stair rails since some may grow rather excited, very soon! Also please watch your step.