VISITING SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS
ON BIG BLEND RADIO: From waterfalls to wildlife sightings, hiking trails to historic sites, programs and park attractions, public affairs officer Sintia Kawasaki-Yee shares what there is to experience this spring and summer in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks in central California. Watch here in the YouTube player or download the podcast on Podbean, or SoundCloud.
Known for being the largest trees in the world by volume, Giant Sequoias only grow naturally along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, primarily between 5,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation. You can see these magnificent trees and enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities if you visit Sequoia National Park which is connected to Kings Canyon National Park, as well as Sequoia National Forest, and Giant Sequoia National Monument.
One of the first parks in the country, Sequoia National Park is home to the General Sherman Tree (the largest living organism and tree in the world), as well as Moro Rock where you can climb up to take in the spectacular views of Mt. Whitney (the highest mountain in the contiguous 48 states). Here you can hike through glacial canyons, lush meadows thick with wildflowers, and explore oak woodlands. The scenery is spectacular, offering a rich diversity of birds, plants, and wildlife, including bears. Covering 404,064 acres, there are hundreds of streams, ponds, rivers, creeks, and lakes, and over 200 marble caverns to explore. Crescent Meadow and Big Trees Trail offer wonderful spring and early summer wildflower, bird, and wildlife viewing. Tokopah Falls Trail is a worthwhile 1.7-mile spring hike along the north bank of the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River, leading to the 1,200-foot cascading waterfall.
Spanning 461,901 acres, Kings Canyon National Park is made up of mostly wilderness, forests, and spectacular canyons, with Kings Canyon itself being one of the deepest canyons in the United States. The park is known for being home to the General Grant Grove of giant sequoia trees, the famous General Grant Tree, and the Redwood Mountain Grove which is the largest remaining natural grove of giant sequoias in the world. Starting in late spring or early summer, you can enjoy babbling brooks and waterfalls offset by towering granite cliffs, as well as lush meadows and glacial canyons.
Learn more at (559) 565-334 or www.NPS.gov/seki and plan your visit to California’s Sequoia Country at www.DiscovertheSequoias.com.
JIGSAW PUZZLE: Enjoy the interview with Sintia Kawasaki-Yee while you piece together this online jigsaw puzzle of the giant sequoias on the Big Trees Trail that circles around the Round Meadow. TIP: Use the full screen icon to make it easier. Use your mouse roller or arrow keys to rotate the puzzle pieces and click and drag to put the pieces in place. Use the Image Icon to see the picture and the Ghost Icon to set your workspace.
