Sequoia National Park: In The Snow

The Untourists
The Untourists - Discovering the beautiful world we live in.

One of our main excitement for visiting Yosemite National Park was getting to see  the Giant Sequoia trees (Sequoiadendron giganticum). These beautiful trees can grow to over 300 feet in height and about 30 feet in diameter, making them the largest living things by volume! And they are only found in select groves (most of which have been cut down by the timber industry) on the western slopes of the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. But due to high altitude roads being shut, and one grove under renovation in Yosemite, we couldn’t get to see these there. But some good souls suggested we head to Sequoia National Park, where the roads were open (this was March, 2017).

So off we headed to Sequoia National Park, with the excitement of seeing these truly marvelous trees.

This park has a fantastic range of habitat, from warm foothills to cold alpine mountains. In March the higher elevations were covered in deep snow!  Once you take the permit and passes from the Park Entrance, do stop by the Visitor’s Centre to know more about the park, use the washroom and fill up your water bottles. Thereafter the ride is steep uphill through one of the most beautiful drives we have taken. You gain elevation quickly and the temperature drops.

This is a great park for hiking. We were here only for a day visit and tried to make the most of it. The best way to visit this park is to find lodging inside.

 

This beautiful Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) saves acorns in holes it drills in wood. Found near Visitor’s Center, Sequoia National Park

Do stop by the Visitor Center to know more about the park and make the most of your visit.

This scenic drive up the winding roads quickly takes you to the higher elevations of the Sequoia National Park where you are likely to encounter snow.

Beautiful wild blossoms in Sequoia National Park

These beautiful trees are the largest living things on planet Earth

Snow covers most of the park in March but surprisingly, it wasn’t too cold.

Pines stand tall and handsome in these snow covered rolling hills.

Some of the Giant Sequoias can grow as wide as 35 feet. See the size of this tree in comparison to this human couple.

Standing amidst these tall and gorgeous trees…

Dappled late afternoon light on the snow and tree barks. Nature is truly the world’s greatest artist.

The Giant Sequoia trees are much bigger than they look.

Sequoia Pine ‘cones’ or fruits.

It was so interesting how around the base of a tree the snow had formed a uniform bowl.

Moss on a tree trunk.

One can see how deep the snow is once the road is cleared.

The snow as almost 6 feet deep in places. almost swalloing our car.

Soon it was time to head back. We stopped to admire the warm sun shining on the pines and the under growth.

The gorgeous mountains of the Sierra Nevada stand embracing the warm late afternoon sun.

Stopping to take a few pictures of the setting sun

The drive up and down the to the heights of Sequoia National Park is a delight in itself.

Bountiful nature provides a plethora of colours to delight artists!

One last shot of the lavender skies before we lose the light completely.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in California is situated along the gorgeous Sierra Nevada Range. One can enter by road to Kings Canyon National Park’s Entrance at Big Stump on Hwy 180. Or you can enter the Sequoia National Park‘s Ash Mountain Entrance on Hwy 198 Driving directions are here.

It’s best to be able to find lodgiung inside the park but you must remember to book well in advance. America’s National Parks are immensely popular and last minute bookings are almost never available. A lot of the park will be inaccessible in winters so plan accordingly. Do understand about the park’s dos and donts from the visitor center. Food is available inside but only at select places so plan your journey inside keeping food points in mind. Avoid carrying food with yourself since it may attract wild animals. Also do not leave visible food in your car.

Among activities are day hiking, backpacking, drives and viewpoints, climbing Moro Rock, Crystal Cave, skiing, rock climbing, programs for jumiors, snow playing etc.

 

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