Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

We stayed in Lemon Cove, California for a month to visit both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. It was triple digit temperatures for most of our stay, but the National Parks were higher elevations and mostly comfortable temperatures for hiking.

Sequoia National Park

General Sherman is a giant sequoia and by volume, it is the largest known living single-stem tree on Earth.

General Sherman

A controlled or prescribed burn is a wildfire set intentionally for purposes of forest management.  Signs for burns are all around the park.

Hike to scenic Big Baldy to a nice view of the park and through beautiful wildflowers.

During our drive to Moro Rock for a hike, we saw momma bear and her two adorable cubs.

As you enter Sequoia National Park, Moro Rock looms overhead, thousands of feet above the highway. This large granite dome is a spectacular geologic feature that can be enjoyed from above or below.  A concrete and stone stairway leads over 350 steps to the top of Moro Rock.

Moro Rock
Moro Rock
View from Moro Rock at sunset
View from Moro Rock at sunset
View from Moro Rock at sunset
View from Moro Rock at sunset

Forestiere Underground Gardens

The Forestiere Underground Gardens, located in Fresno, California, are a series of subterranean structures built by Baldasare Forestiere, an immigrant from Sicily, over a period of 40 years from 1906 to his death in 1946. The catalyst for the construction of the underground abode was a result of the hot summers typical of the Fresno area. The inspiration lends itself to ancient Roman catacombs that Baldasare was infatuated with in his youth. Countless hours were spent excavating the hardpan layer that cements much of Fresno’s soil to create his underground home. It had a summer bedroom, a winter bedroom, a bath, a functional kitchen, a fish pond, and a parlor with a fireplace.  Interspersed amongst the beautiful stone walls and archways are grottoes and courtyards that allow for pockets of light. The intricate pathways were created section by section, over a span of 10 acres, without the aid of blueprints.

Summer bedroom
kitchen
Displayed are hand tools he used to carve these miles of tunnels

Kings Canyon National Park

The General Grant tree, also called America’s Christmas Tree, is the second largest tree in the world.

General Grant

Zumwalt Meadow and Roaring Rivers Trails are very close to each other and we did them together. Waterfalls, green meadows, and gray stone rocks.

Zumwalt Meadows Trail
Zumwalt Meadows Trail
Roaring Rivers Falls Trail

Next stop is Ventura, California to see friends and Channel Islands National Park.

4 thoughts on “Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

  1. Beautiful photos. You have a wonderful collection of amazing photos. It is great that you are getting to enjoy
    so much of the country. I wish we could have done just a few big trips but I did not retire until I was 67 and I was ready to spend some time in our town home in Durango near my granddaughters. We did take our MH to Durango for 3 years and did a bit of touring but nothing to even begin with the extent of your beautiful travels. Our neighbors here sold their home and occupy their 5 wheel full time. They have recently traveled over 11,000 since leaving early spring. They will be back in Houston the end of September.
    Ed took a bad fall and cut his head very bad which required stitches but he also fractured #1 in his neck so he is in a neck brace. Not sure how long he will have to wear it. He is getting more xrays now and will see the DR again on Monday. He is an accident waiting to happen… it has been one thing after the other this year.
    Safe travels and keep the beautiful photos coming.

    1. Poor Ed. He Has had tough time lately. I hope that he recovers, please keep me information. How was the trip to Vegas? Hope you had a wonderful time and won lots of money. Take care.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.