Central California, May 2003 (Re-run)

 Since I've no plans to travel for the next several months, and with the heat of Arizona's Summer limiting my outdoor activities, I've decided to resume posting travels from the past that I refer to as "re-runs".  They aren't actually re-runs, of course, since this blog didn't exist back then.  Anyway, the last "re-run" was from Southern California, so now we move up to Central California.  This beautiful area includes Sequoia National Forest, Giant Sequoia National Monument, Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia National Park  and Yosemite National Park.  The distinctions between all these titled properties is rather vague and, to me, somewhat meaningless.  The combined territory is incredibly beautiful, with rugged mountains, giant trees, raging streams, impressive waterfalls, placid lakes and diverse wildlife.  In other words, it has it all.

For those who have enjoyed time in this wonderful region, you know that words and photos fall well short of conveying the actual beauty and scale of this land.  To be here in person is almost a religious experience, one that will never be forgotten.  For those who haven't had the pleasure, I hope I might inspire you to put this high on your bucket list.

Sequoia trees are the largest living and among the longest living organisms on earth.  They grow only on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.  There are seventy-five groves of sequoias and thousands of individual trees.  They have extremely thick bark that protects them from fire, insects, rot and other problems, allowing them to live up to several thousand years.  The General Sherman tree is considered to be the largest living organism on earth, with a height of 275 feet and a circumference of 103 feet.  The General Grant is only slightly shorter, and has a greater circumference by a few feet.  Even after a sequoia dies and falls over, the wood will last for hundreds of years.  Despite natural fire protection, recent wildfires have destroyed thousands of sequoias.  Of course, many sequoias were logged before Federal and State protection was enacted.  A tunnel was cut through one tree that allowed cars to be driven through, but that tunnel killed the tree at age 2100.  In 2003, one fallen tree could be driven through.

Here are just a few of the many streams and waterfalls that can be seen in the several parks.

The wildflowers that cover much of the land are reason enough to visit during Spring and early Summer.

With so many visitors to these parks, the abundant wildlife tends to stay in the back country, wishing to avoid human contact.  Still, we did encounter some animals during our visit, with bears being the most rewarding.

Within the huge expanse of these combined parks, Yosemite Valley is the best known and most visited.  Created by glaciers, the valley is open year-round, while little of the remaining spaces are accessible during Winter due to enormous snowfall.  In 2003, the road to Glacier Point opened on June 1, our last day in the park.  Within the valley, there are close up views of spectacular mountains and some  of the nation's tallest and most beautiful waterfalls.  Names like El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Vernal Falls and others are commonly known, even among folks who have never been there.