A Canyon, a King & a Christmas Tree
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. The National Park Service manages both Sequoia and Kings Canyon together as if they were one park, although they are in-fact two distinct parks. 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. Kings Canyon itself stretches out over more than 460,000 acres, and displays some of the most rugged and beautiful landscape in the western United States.
Cedar Grove and Grant Grove are the park’s two main areas.. Kings Canyon can also boast the largest grove of Giant Sequoia’s in the World… the Redwood Mountain Grove. 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. It towers above the surrounding forests at 267 feet high, and was officially declared “The Nation’s Christmas Tree.”
The Kings River and South Fork area of the San Joaquin River have extensive glacial canyons. The park’s name sake, “Kings Canyon” is the deepest canyon in the US, at more than 8,000 feet! This granite gorge was carved by glaciers in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Kings River runs through the U-shaped canyon, and is a popular whitewater rafting location.
Cedar Grove is an area of spectacular beauty and unmatched panoramas. A series of hiking and backpacking trails weave their way through the park leading to many destinations including such attractions as Roaring River Falls & Zumwalt Meadows. Roaring River Falls is a beautiful fall where water gushes out of a granite chute and cascades into a brilliant aqua pool. The hike to Raring River Falls is an easy five-minute walk down an easy pathway. 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.
Just west of Cedar Grove is an all-together different attraction within the borders of Kings Canyon national park. Boyden Cavern is a mammoth-sized cave where visitors can tour an impressive underground world of stalactites and stalagmites and wonder at the amazing subterranean formations like “Mother Natures Wedding Cake.” Jennie Lakes Wilderness east of Grant Grove is a good day hiking area through forests and lowland meadows. The towering 10,365-foot Mitchell Peak is located there, and can be seen from many points in the park. 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. Weather can vary greatly across these parks depending on the elevation you are at. Winters are mild and summers hot in the lower elevations, but the temperatures drop rapidly and the precipitation increases significantly the higher you climb in elevation.
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