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Sequoia
and Kings Canyon National Parks
Kings Canyon is the northernmost park; Sequoia lies just south of it.
An automobile traveler gets only a small taste of these parks. For the
most part, these are backcountry parks.
Named for its large stands of trees, SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK is best approached
from Visalia via Lemon Cove and Three Rivers, a route that follows the
robust Kaweah River as it drains off the Great Western Divide. Ash Mountain
Entrance is not far past Three Rivers. Be sure your gas tank is over half
full before leaving Three Rivers: at press time no gas was for sale in
the national parks. The FOOTHILLS VISITOR CENTER (559/565-3341), at a
1,700-foot elevation, will acquaint you with both parks' main features
and help you assay the campsite situation if you don't already have a
reservation.
The 38-mile highway from Ash Mountain through Sequoia to the Kings Canyon
National Park boundary is known as Generals Highway. Passable most of
the year, in winter the highway may require chains or be closed for several
days after a storm.
Be prepared for hot weather in summer, as well as occasional delays as
road crews work to repair the historic road—an ongoing process much
needed in recent years after damaging winter storms. Four of the five
largest trees thrive in GIANT FOREST. Most of these Methuselahs are
between 1,800 and 2,700 years old, about 250 feet tall, and close to 100
feet in circumference (picture a tree's base wide enough to block a two
lane street!). Continuing on to KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK, you pass through
GRANT GROVE, site of the "Nation's Christmas Tree" (General
Grant Tree). From Grant Grove, Highway 180 threads 30 miles
northeast into the Grand Canyon of the south fork of the Kings River and
a park site known as CEDAR GROVE. This road is closed in winter (and with
it, the entire valley).
Cedar Grove and the Grand Canyon area, where summer temperatures may climb
into the 90s, are well-forested, with granite sentinels rising high on
all sides. CEDAR GROVE VISITOR CENTER (559/565-3793)
and a permit station at Road's End (6 miles east of Cedar Grove Village)
can help out with information and permits. One small hotel, CEDAR GROVE
LODGE (559/335-5500) offers overnight accommodations along with a cafe.
To learn more about backpacking or horse packing in the parks wilderness,
or to join a guided trip, call the information numbers given above for
help in hooking up with a reputable guide service. Additional information
about Sequoia and Kings Canyon is available on the parks'
web page at www.nps.gov/seki.
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