Travel and leisure

 

Situated in the center of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, Kings Canyon National Park is the sister park of Sequoia National Park and is one of America’s most beautiful national park destinations. These parks rank among the top of the the list of “Dream Style Vacations” within America’s National Park system. Kings Canyon is managed jointly by the Park Service with Sequoia National Park to the south of it. Kings Canyon and Sequoia are home to some of the largest living organisms on the planet, the Sequoia Trees, as well as some of the Sierra’s most impressive mountain peaks. Deep canyons and valleys add to this rugged landscape. By itself, Kings Canyon National Park encompasses nearly 463,000 acres.

 

Kings Canyon can be broken down into several regions with the two primary being, Cedar Grove and Grant Grove. The largest grove of Giant Sequoias in the world is the Redwood Mountain grove in the park. Grant Grove is one of the most popular spots in the park, and a big reason for that is because this is the home of the famous “General Grant” giant sequoia tree. “The General” looms large over the surrounding forests. Standing tall at more than two-hundred-sixty feet, the General Grant Tree is definitely a object of beauty and it has affectionately named “America’s Christmas Tree.”

 

Tall Trees are not the only attraction in Kings Canyon however. Powerful Rivers such as the Kings River and the San Joaquin have carved out breathtaking canyons with the aid of glaciers from decades past. The park’s name sake, “Kings Canyon” is the deepest canyon in the US, at more than 8,000 feet! Massive glacier’s worked meticulously for many years in order to carve out this vast deep canyon into the foothills of the Sierra Range. Today, the U-shaped Kings Canyon is one of the area’s favorite whitewater rafting spots.

 

Cedar Grove is filled with gorgeous vistas. There are many nature trails winding through the grove to landmarks such as Roaring River Falls and the Zumwalt Meadow. The trail to Roaring River Falls is a shaded, 5-minute walk from a parking area to the rushing waterfall flowing out of a granite chute into an aqua pool below. Resting under the silent gaze of Grand Sentinel and North Dome in Kings Canyon Park, Zumwalt Meadow – a grove of ponderosa trees – is a living postcard of the beauty of the Sierra Nevadas. A 1-mile long trail wraps around the ponderosa meadow allowing visitors the opportunity to take in the beauty of the valley from many different angles.

 

Ten miles west of Cedar Grove is the Boyden Cavern. This cave has guided tours where people can explore intriguing geology such as the flowing formation called “Mother Nature’s Wedding Cake.” East of Grant Grove, Jennie Lakes Wilderness is a mix of meadows and forest lands which offers a variety of day-hike options. The stately 10,300+ ft. tall Mitchell Peak stands watch over this wilderness area and provides a stunning backdrop to the valley. The 45,000 acre Monarch Wilderness is an area of steep and rugged terrain, with mountain peaks reaching more than 11,000 feet into the sky. The Monarch Wilderness stretches into Sequoia Park as well.

 

Hiking, backpacking, fishing, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing are some of travelers’ favorite outdoor activities at both parks. The weather in this region depends on the elevation. Lower elevations have hot, dry summers and mild winters. Middle elevations (including the giant sequoia groves and forest belt) are warm during summer days with cool evenings. The higher the park location, the colder the winter temperatures, with a blanket of snow in the mountains and more precipitation.

 

Any time of year, the views are outstanding at both adjoined parks. This dynamic environment combines all the things that fascinate people about nature. The majority of Kings Canyon National Park is desolate backcountry with awe-inspiring scenery. It’s an incredible land to explore while retaining a sense of solitude and tranquility.

 

To learn more about Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, visit www.NationalParkReservations.com/sequoia.htm. Learn how to turn your Kings Canyon vacation into a paycheck… Dream Style Vacation Club – www.DSVCI.com