SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARNBa»CALI»ORNjA Sixty Lakes Basin, Kings Canyon National Park Lying across the heart of the Sierra Nevada in east central Although the two parks have many similar features, you see without guidance—but, for safety's sake, not alone. the mountains. Stay on the trails. Avoid trips alone. Tell California, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks em­ will learn, as you explore and observe, that each park has You may fish, take a saddle-horse trip, follow the close-in one of your party or a park ranger where you are going and brace more than 1,300 square miles of spectacular granite its own distinctive character. trails, hike into the mountains. when you expect to be back. mountains, deep canyons, and magnificent forests. Jeweled Your car. Some mountain roads are crooked and steep. lakes and tumbling waterfalls adorn this glacier-carved land­ So always drive on your own side. Drive slowly and shift into PLANNING YOUR TIME TO HAVE A TROUBLE-FREE VISIT scape. From west to east, the two parks extend from the second or low gear to control your speed. Continuous use foothills near the San Joaquin Valley to the crest of the Depending upon your point of entry and route of travel While here, you are living a life different in two respects of your brakes may cause them to overheat; this may result High Sierra. From north to south, they stretch some 65 within the parks, you should first learn about the features from your normal life: (1) You are in a National Park that in loss of control of your car. Wherever you drive observe miles. Though separately established—Sequoia in 1890 and of interest in each area by visiting park headquarters at is to be preserved in its natural condition; therefore, you posted speed limits; practice the courtesies of the road. Kings Canyon in 1940—they are virtually a single unit and Ash Mountain, Giant Forest Visitor Center, Grant Grove should understand that certain requirements, even beyond Your camp. Pitch it in a designated camp area. On trail are so administered. Visitor Center, and Cedar Grove Ranger Station. The uni­ those usually practiced in the out-of-doors, must be met. trips camp where others have camped before. Campfire per­ formed park naturalist or ranger will help you plan the best (2) You are in the mountains where rugged terrain and mits are required for trailside or back-country camping and Two things, especially, distinguish these parks—the forests use of your time and will inform you about conducted tours, high altitudes present special problems of health and safety. can be obtained at any ranger station. Build your campfire of gigantic trees and the extensive, lofty mountains. Here nature hikes, evening campfire programs, and other sched­ We are sure you will wish to observe park regulations. in the fireplace provided. Leave your camp clean when you the giant sequoias, largest of all living things, reach their uled activities. He will also advise you about the things You will find them posted in conspicuous places in the parks. depart, and use refuse receptacles for all paper and trash. greatest size and are found in largest numbers. Here also you can see and do for yourself. Meanwhile here are a few points for you to remember: the vast Sierra Nevada rises to its highest altitudes, cul­ You will want to be on your own part of the time. One Pets. You may take your dog or cat into the parks. minating in the 14,495-foot summit of Mount Whitney, of the finest dividends of a visit here is a sense of exploration About yourself. Avoid overexertion. Accustom yourself However, because of the park wildlife it must be kept under highest point in the United States outside Alaska. and discovery. There is a great variety of things to do and gradually to strenuous hikes and to the higher elevation of physical control at all times—caged, on a leash, or in your 2 3 4 5 car—and it may not be taken on any park trails or into is posted at visitor centers, lodges, campgrounds, and other climbs to Moro Rock or Little Baldy open up superb If you are the hardy type, you can have the vacation of a visitor centers, stores, or eating establishments. public places. views of valley, forest, and high mountain scenery. Or you lifetime here. You may want to backpack into the wilds; Guided trips. Naturalists also conduct guided trips Fires and smoking. Do not smoke while traveling along may take yourself into that high country scene by longer or you may prefer to explore the wilderness with the luxury through the big-tree areas and to important scenic points the trails. If you want to smoke, stop, clear the ground trail trips to Heather Lake, to Alta Peak, or to Bearpaw of pack and saddle animals, which are obtainable at many during the summer. Schedules for these trips are posted on around you, smoke, put it out, and then move on. Break Meadow Camp near the base of the Great Western Divide. places in or near the parks. Many people enter the high bulletin boards along with those for campfire programs. your match before throwing it away. Never leave camp- Tours through Crystal Cave are conducted daily, mid-June country from Owens Valley, east of the Sierra. fires unattended even for a few minutes; always extinguish through mid-September, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. them with water. During the fire season, from about late WHAT TO SEE ROADS AND TRAILS June to October, smoking in moving cars is not permitted Approaching the parks, you travel across,the flat and General Grant and Redwood Mountain Groves, Kings The Generals Highway, the main road that connects below 6,000 feet elevation. fertile San Joaquin Valley and through the Sierra foothills, Canyon National Park. The General Grant and Redwood Sequoia and Kings Canyon (see Road Log on back page), Mountain Groves are somewhat separated from the main Park features. All things in the parks—flowers, trees, then climb abruptly to the forested uplands of Giant Forest winds through the Giant Sequoia belt and covers 47 miles body of the park. In the former is the General Grant Tree, rocks, and minerals—are to be left unharmed for others to or General Grant Grove. Arriving here, you already have from the Ash Mountain Entrance to the northern border of second in size to the General Sherman Tree. It is 267 feet enjoy. Preservation here is a matter of law; it is also a mat­ some indication of the varied landscape and the grandeur of General Grant Grove. Branching off from it are other roads tall, with a circumference of 107.6 feet. Other notable giants ter of consideration for others and of good citizenship. this region. But much more awaits you. that take you to certain featured attractions or within short The features of these parks are so numerous and so diverse are the General Lee Tree, second largest in General Grant trail distances of them. Some lead to overlook for spectac­ Grove, and the Hart Tree, fourth largest known sequoia, in ular scenic views. INTERPRETIVE SERVICES you will have a wide choice of things to see. What you do see will depend on your interests, your mode of travel and Redwood Mountain Grove. In striking contrast to these From General Grant Grove, you travel 28 miles on Calif. The National Park Service provides certain interpretive your time. living survivors of antiquity is the weathered Centennial 180 through Sequoia National Forest and along the South services in the parks to help you understand these areas and Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park. Some of the Stump, the tree cut in 1875 to provide an exhibit for the Fork of the Kings River to Cedar Grove. The road con­ their special features. Aside from the exhibits mentioned finest groups of giant sequoias may be seen at Giant Forest. Philadelphia World's Fair. Big Stump Basin, where ages- tinues for 6 miles through the canyon to Copper Creek. earlier these include evening campfire programs and guided Here, too, is the General Sherman Tree, largest and one old trees met death from the lumberman's ax, is nearby. A Here you stop beneath solid granite walls that tower thou­ trips to places of interest. Such services are free and you of the oldest of living things. It is approximately 272 feet 1-mile self-guiding nature trail loops through the basin; sands of feet above the canyon floor and end in a mass of are invited to take advantage of them. in height and 101.6 feet in circumference, and the maxi­ leaflets are available near the start of the trail at the Big lofty domes and pinnacles. Here begin many fine trails Campfire programs. Park naturalists give illustrated talks mum diameter of its trunk at the base is 36.5 feet. Its age Stump Parking Area. into higher areas. on various aspects of the two parks at evening campfire pro­ is estimated at about 3,500 years. In this part of the park, ON YOUR OWN grams at Giant Forest, General Grant Grove, Dorst, Lodge- you may also see: Moro Rock, Crescent Meadow, Crystal Kings Canyon and Cedar Grove. Kings Canyon is the pole, and Cedar Grove in summer. The weekly program Cave, Tokopah Valley, Sunset Rock and Beetle Rock. Short steep-walled, 9-mile-long valley of the South Fork of the Fishing. You will find trout fishing in almost every lake Kings River.