Saturday, June 9, 2018

6.9.2018 Sequoia National Park, Congress Trail, Crystal Cave tour


Kings Canyon NP and Sequoia NP are next to each other.  They both have some of the world's largest trees and the beauty is astounding!


First things first...a trip to the visitor center and Junior Ranger books!  

The Congress Trail and the Trail and of the Sequoias.


It is truly so difficult to describe the immensity of these beautiful trees or even to get perspective of how massive they are...especially in a photograph.
General Sherman tree which is the largest living tree on earth by volume!!!!

It is 275 feet tall and is over 100 feet around its base.  



checking out the rings





Evidence of past fires and regrowth.  The Giant Sequoia is a hardly specimen and will mend its trunk by past fires.  As we have learned before...trees live and die by fire.  The cones of trees such as this depend on fire to open its fallen cones and start new growth.  We read that the common death of these massive trees is actually by toppling due to their shallow root system.









The blackened bark shows us where the burning of the fire once was.
Allie is dwarfed and blends into this tree..


baby Sequoia



Sitting in the land of Giants
A Sequoia pine cone





One tree toppled roots...



Jamie was really impressed and absolutely loved this park!

















We got tickets that morning to view the Crystal Cave which is a unique marble cave.  


It has formations estimated to be 10,000 years old.  



The hike to and from the cave was so beautiful as well!  

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