Standing at Beetle Rock in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, I'm in California's Sequoia National Park, where I fell in love.
With the gentle giants--The Giant Sequoia Trees.
The Giant Forest, named by John Muir, had one particular Sequoia that caught my eye and captured my heart. An "old man" you might say. Aged at about 2,200.
Like a fine wine, woman or man--a tree settles into magnificence the more time goes on.
Isn't this AWESOME?! Or do you have to be next to the gentle giant to truly appreciate its magnificence? If so, please do, GO!
Walking into my favorite tree. Kind of like a woodpecker or squirrel. (I think)
Mmmm. I like a glowing red color, changing shades with passing light.
Here's what John Muir said about the glowing red grove of gentle giants that I was privileged to walk amongst.
"When I entered this sublime wilderness the day was nearly done. The trees with rosy, glowing countenances seemed to be hushed and thoughtful, as if waiting in conscious religious dependence on the sun, and one naturally walked softly and awestricken amongst them."
The air quality was excellent, for it recently rained. This area can be impacted from pollution wafting up from San Joaquin Valley. A combination of cars and trucks, wood-burning, and pesticides. The higher elevations tend to be cleaner especially in fall, winter, and spring. Summer months bring heat and ozone. More info on air quality for area can be found here.
I enjoyed a tour with Sequoia Sightseeing Tours. Our tour included the Giant Forest and world's largest by volume tree, The General Sherman. For parts of the path, we walked in snow, which was beautiful.
Nothing like a winter wonderland in Sequoia. And nothing like wearing the right gear.
My new Vasque Pow Pow Winter boots kept me warm, dry and appreciating its tread.
Knowledgeable and personable, Paul, the owner and operator of Sequoia Sightseeing Tours, did a wonderful job pointing out the interesting, sublime, and funny.
One very interesting conservation story: The Sequoia National Park tore down a complex that included 282 buildings--hotel, gift shops, restaurants--in order to protect the root system of the Sequoias in the Giant Forest! The project was completed in 1999. Bravo!
I felt safe with Paul at the wheel navigating the windy roads. I recommend Paul for your Sequoia National Park adventure.
In love with the gentle giants.
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