Travel Blog: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Towering Sequoia

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Are you sick of crowds at National Parks? Look no further, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park (SEKI) is a hidden gem. SEKI is known for its sequoia trees and big stump grove that was left behind after most of the giant sequoia trees were cut down during the turn of the 20th century. Luckily, the logging of giant sequoias was outlawed in the early 1900’s.

History
Kings Canyon used to be named General Grant National Park. The eastern section of the park was added and renamed Kings Canyon. There was a conflict between environmentalists and the city of Los Angeles who wanted to dam the king’s river and flood the canyon. The environmentalists won and the park became a protected National Park. Unfortunately, there are still ongoing battles at SEKI. 20 percent of the giant sequoia tree population have been destroyed due to wildfires, such as the 2020 castle fire and the 2021 KNP complex fire, which destroyed many groves.

Water Features
There are many impressive water features such as waterfalls, lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. These areas are popular destinations for picnics, hiking, camping and fishing. The snowpack in the Sierra Nevada is a storage system that accumulates precipitation in the winter, eventually creating meltwater that is added to the watershed. In years of low snowpack accumulation, there is less water available for plant growth and recreation, and can create drought.

Natural Features
One of the most popular natural features in Kings Canyon National Parks is the Cave and Karst Systems. The caves contain Pleistocene era fossils, rare minerals, and unique animals. You can participate in a cave tour led by a park staff member. Caves form where streams on the surface are diverted underground, and the mildly acidic waters can dissolve soluble rocks like limestone, eventually forming caverns. The caves in the park are home to unique animals such as scorpions, beetles, mites, and invertebrates, and bat species.

Mist Falls

NPS Gallery *Images credited to NPS without any copyright symbol are public domain.

Hiking Trails
If you enjoy hiking, one of the options at the park is the Mist Falls Trail. This hike is about 9 miles, and the trailhead can be found near the ranger’s station parking lot. Black bears can be found on this hike, so keep that in mind when preparing for this trail. While you are hiking on the trail you will be able to see the south fork of the Kings River and dense forest. You will need to hike up some rocks near Paradise Valley, but the views are worth it. If you are looking for less crowds, head to the north grove trail. This trail is home to the second largest tree in the world, the general grant tree. Nearby is grant grove village, the main attraction of SEKI. Here you can find the visitor center, restaurant, hotel, campgrounds, and post office.

Click here to plan your visit.


Writing Prompt: Travel Blog written by Abigail
Stone Lauer for "A Day in the Life of a Fellow"
Article Series. Abigail is a NPS Workforce Management
Fellow, in partnership with Northwest Youth Corps