Camping: A Visit To Sequoia and King's Canyon National Parks (photos!)

[Morrigoon]

So last weekend I went on a group camping trip with about 15 people to Sequoia.

Driving up with Chernabog, we took 99 to the 198, stopping in Three Rivers for lunch (awesome sandwiches at the pizza joint there). By the way, we had already lost cell signal when we hit Three Rivers. Note to travelers: just turn your phone off at that point or it'll eat through your battery trying to find signal.

As we paid our $20 to enter the park (good for 1-7 days, so you could go out and back in if you want), we were instructed to stop at the Foothills Visitor's Center. I asked if that was a requirement, and the ranger said no, but I might want to do it unless I'd like to sit in my car in the sun for an hour. O-kay. So we stopped and learned there that there was some construction going on at amphitheatre point, and that they only let traffic through ON the hour. Well, luckily, after we'd stopped at the visitor's center, had a pit stop, etc., we didn't have that long to go, so we were only stopped at the construction for like 20 minutes, during which a friendly ranger walked by the cars to answer questions.

Passed this little landmark on the way up:


And here's the construction backup:


But the views rocked!


So, since we'd gotten on the road early in the morning and it was only midday, we decided to make a stop at the General Sherman grove before hitting the campsite. The General Sherman is easily* accessible from the road: a nearby parking lot and a convenient paved path. *- because it depends on your definition of easily... the Sherman grove is at 7000 feet, so the climb back up the path will leave your heart pounding and chest heaving, even though the path does not make you tired. Still, worth doing:







A fallen BRANCH off the General Sherman:


Even standing back, I can't get this massive tree (General Sherman) completely in the picture


And they aren't kidding!


Chernabog getting silly at high altitude


So after the visit with General Sherman, we headed into Dorst Campground and set up camp


Some of our group were already there (we had taken out a string of 5 campsites)






After the Herculean effort of driving and setting up camp, it was a pretty chill night, with the group sitting around the campfire


Next day, after breakfast, we headed to see the wonders of the Crystal Cave (tickets for the cave tour must be pre-purchased in Lodgepole, $11) They try to warn you off, because the walk down to the cave is a half mile hike that descends several hundred feet (meaning afterward you get to hike UP several hundred feet over half a mile!), but honestly, the General Sherman trail seemed harder (higher altitude).


At your scheduled time, you check in at the ranger station and they lead you down...


Past gorgeous waterfalls...




To the cave entrance:


More to come...

[Morrigoon]

The cave entrance is marked by a gorgeous "Spiderweb Gate". The pictures don't do it justice.


Touching the rocks inside the cave can do serious damage to them, as the cave is in a constant state of growth and change, so they designated one rock outside the gate as the "touching rock", so people can feel the stone and not damage the ones further inside. You can see how dirty and worn the touching stone is, and understand why they don't want you touching anything inside


I loved how the Spider Gate opens:


Inside the cave... one really comes to appreciate what a great job the imagineers did in recreating the interior of caves for the parks


One of the things I really appreciated about the group caring for and exhibiting the cave is the dramatic theatrical lighting they used, which really highlights the beauty of the formations


One of the unusual things about the Crystal Cave is that it is marble. So when you look down into the streams of water running through it, they are just incredibly gorgeous veined marble


This is a poor photograph of one of the most stunning features inside the cave. In real life... this formation is sparkly white, it literally glitters.


Say it with me: Ooooh, ahhh...




After the cave, a better look at the waterfall


My group had gone up ahead of me, and these folks still hadn't moved out of the way, so I ended up just taking a photo with them in it, hehe.


After lunch, we headed out, mid-afternoon, on a hike to the Muir Grove of Sequoias. That hike actually starts from Dorst Campground, by crossing a quaint wooden bridge










Bear Track!




Part way through the hike, we came to this rocky precipice that overlooked the canyon (on the other side of which was our destination). Looked like a destination straight out of Lord of the Rings.









Leaving a couple folks behind at the rocky outcrop, we headed around the canyon






Now, we didn't *have* to cross the log... there was a path that went around it, but could you resist? Neither could we:










Finally, we arrive at the Muir Grove of giant sequoias. Look very carefully, you might be able to see a person in the picture












The trees were awe-inspiring. We ended up laying down on the forest floor, just gazing up at the giant trees






You can climb into some of the trees. Here Frodo Potter gets closer to nature:






The trees have a really interesting feel to them... kind of soft and spongy.








The afternoon was getting late (which probably explains why we had the grove COMPLETELY to ourselves, which was awesome)














Crossing back over the log




















We got back to the rocky outcrop and picked up the two we'd left there




Eagle's nest!








I'd been kinda lagging behind the group, taking photos (you can see how far away they are if you look closely). But it was about this time that I thought, hmm, maybe I should keep up better




And we eventually arrived back at Dorst Campground

[Morrigoon]

Sunset was amazing




Campfire time! Sadly my Jiffy Pop was a bit of a dud, but the Smores were still delicious.


Next day, we packed up camp before leaving on the day's adventure, as we were heading to King's Canyon's Zumwalt Meadow, a 2-hour drive from Dorst, so the plan was to leave directly from there for home. As we drove away from our campsite, someone else walked into it:


King's Canyon has some amazing dramatic peaks






The King's River is cold and swift, but apparently it's pretty low this year






Disneyphile and Frodo Potter on the iron bridge across the Kings River


A view from the bridge
























Some of the loop around Zumwalt Meadow heads up over the rocks




















And that concludes my weekend in Sequoia and King's Canyon National Parks!

[mikeland]

Thank you so much for this report!

[AidensDaddy]

Gorgeous pictures Morrigoon. Absolutely love it up there. You even answered a question I had on the other sequoia thread. Need to go fix that now.

[alphabassetgrrl]

Great shots, great scenery! I almost feel like I'm there! Ok, maybe not.

[RobotMirror]

Wow, every photo there was just so beautiful! Amazing photos Morrigoon - thank you.

[Mom2dzneboys]

That was beautiful.....time for a trip up north.

[seenoevil]

Awesome! I went there many years ago, but it was all covered in snow. I wasn't planning on that, so we didn't get much hiking done. I'd love to go again.

[Not Afraid]

Great TR! We had so much fun! It was an incredibly wonderful trip with great friends, incredible food, magnificent scenery and memorable moments. My (mostly scenic) pictures are here.

One of my favorite 9and only good) wildflower pictures.

[AlohaStitch]

BEAUTIFUL JOB of showing the Park!! (I live about 30 min from Sequoia)

Seriously, one of the best group of photos I have EVER seen from up there. You captured the feel beautifully!!

Thanks for sharing!!!