DESTINATIONS

SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON ★★ Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks lie side by side in the southern . Their dramatic landscapes testify to nature’s size, beauty, and diversity - everything you want when you travel to Western USA. You will feel very tiny in this land of natural giants. was created in 1890 to protect the giant sequoia from logging, becoming the first national park formed to protect a living organism. However, it was not until much later that the preservation efforts bore fruit.

SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK © Tarvel Around USA WHAT TO DO — SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS ★★ Open year-round, 24 hours a day, weather permitting. SEQUOIA Season: NATIONAL PARK ★★ Visitor Center: • Foothills Visitor Center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in October-March). • Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (hours may vary). • Lodgepole Visitor Center is open from the 2nd Friday in May to the 1st Friday in October, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. ★★★ (hours may vary). This is the star attraction • Kings Canyon Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (hours may vary). of Sequoia National Park, a Road closures: Note that most of the roads in the parks are closed from November to mid-May due to weather condi- must-see in every sense of tions. Only the road from Gardiner (Montana) to Cooke City (Montana) is open year-round. the world! Standing 84 m tall, Entry fee: $35/vehicle including occupants. Valid 7 days. Purchase the America the Beautiful Pass for $80 if you plan to and 31 m in circumference visit more than 2-3 parks. at the base, it is the largest living organism on the planet, Shuttle service in the park? Yes, in Sequoia National Park (see box below) and is more than 2,200 years www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm old. Isn’t that incredible? An easy 800-metre (round-trip) * Note: vehicles over 22 feet are not allowed to use the south entrance to Sequoia National Park, near the Foothills Visitor Center on Hwy 198 (coming from Three Rivers and Visalia) - see box below for more information. trail leads to the Sherman Tree. Plan to spend about 45 minutes visiting the tree. GIANT FOREST MUSEUM ★ CONGRESS TRAILL ★★ This small museum and Distance (round-trip): 3.2 km information centre provides Time (round-trip): 1 hour a wealth of information Level: Easy about giant sequoias, the park, and the region. It is In addition to the impressive definitely worth a stop. General Sherman, there are many other natural BIG TREES TRAIL ★★ wonders to be seen in the Distance (round-trip): 2.4 km vicinity. The Congress Trail, Time (round-trip): 1 hour an easy 3.2-kilometre loop Level: Easy (1 hour) that begins near the Sherman Tree, offers Big Trees Trail, a 2.4-km excellent opportunities to loop around a lush meadow, see other notable trees. It begins near the Giant Forest leads through the heart of the Museum and takes about 1 spectacular forest, allowing hour. It is like a continuation visitors to capture the essence of the museum with its many of a giant sequoia grove. interpretive exhibits about You will certainly feel very the natural history of giant small, surrounded by all these sequoias. incredible natural giants!

CONGRESS TRAIL GENERAL SHERMAN © State Park © iStock-857621088, Pgiam

Hiking ★ Noteworthy ★★ Worth the detour ★★★ Must see © Photobucket, The Vagabond © iStock-1062572946, Nikolas_jkd in 1937. A tunnel was cut that fell across the road Tunnel Log isagiant sequoia vehicles over 22feet. the top. about 30minutes to reach a cool day. It will take you early in the morningor on best visibility, do this hike the centre of the park.For Rock, abaldgranite domein to the flat summitof Moro peaks, climb the 400steps Nevada andits4,000-metre panoramic views of the Sierra To enjoy spectacular Level: Intermediate Time (one-way): 30minutes 400 steps Distance (one-way): 900m/ TUNNEL LOG Hiking Not accessible for ★ ★ TUNNEL LOG, SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK interesting features: that will take you past two is a1-hour (3.2km) loop hiking options, oneof which Meadow road offers many area at the endof Crescent vehicles over 22feet) . The road isnot accessible for of Giant Forest (note: the surrounded by the sequoias alpine meadows in the park, This isoneof the largest 22 feet. accessible for vehicles over interesting curiosity!Not for amusingphotos. An size of these trees, itmakes very goodideaof the sheer addition to giving you a allow vehicles to pass.In throughlog to the fallen CRESCENT MEADOW MORO ROCK MORO ★ DESTINATIONS

© iStock-1183783285-travelview © iStock-1058948876, Natalie Ruffing surroundings! your spectacular natural a break andcontemplate orinterestingphotos totake magnificent spot for some literally sitdown. Another inside whichyou can hollowed-out sequoia Chimney Tree isanold Park in1890. creation of SequoiaNational there every summer until the Forest in1858.He lived discoverperson to Giant the first non-Native American Hale D. Tharp, whowas the «home» for apioneer called tree. It served asasummer hollow trunk of a fallen right into the enormous in fact arusticshackbuilt oldest cabinsin the park,is Tharps’s Log, oneof the ★ Noteworthy ★ Worthdetour the idea to bringajacket. Celsius, itwould beagood never goesabove 10degrees temperature inside the cave Visitor Centers. As the Ask aRanger atoneof the into the depths of the cave. will take you even further otherarethere toursthat you’readventurous, feeling for vehicles over 22 feet. If the road isnot accessible Visitor Center. Note that Visitor Center or Foothills be purchased atLodgepole young children. Tickets can suitable forare with families majestic marblecavern, and availableareexplore the to Park! 45-minuteguided tours secret inSequoiaNational This cave is the best-kept CRYSTAL CAVE CRESCENT MEADOW CRYSTAL CAVE CRYSTAL ★ ★ Must see passes bypasses the Sherman Tree.alsotrail The shorterGeneral thanthe years oldandisonly 2metres is between 1,500and2,000 the world. Tree second-largestto the in tree (about 30minutes) that leads is aneasy 800-metre trail Grant TreeGeneral The Trail Niveau :Facile Durée :30minutes (A/R) Longueur :0,8km (A/R) TREE TRAIL GENERAL GRANT KINGS CANYON Forestthe the park: heartof Museumin andThreeVisalia Rivers, upHighway 198, to RouteThe Visalia offers service to the towns of summer, from ShuttleoperatesThe Sequoia throughout the other drivers. cross thedoubleyellow lineandposeadanger to narrow, andsteep, winding, longer vehicles often Three Rivers. Because roads intheseparks are Center onHighway 198,coming from Visaliaand to SequoiaNational Park nearthe Foothills Visitor you willnotbeallowed to usethesouthentrance If you are travelling inavehicle over 22feet long, NATIONAL PARK. THERE IS A SHUTTLE SERVICE TO SEQUOIA TRAVELLING BY RV? KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK Hiking ★ Fallen Monarch late May until earlySep road isclosedinwinter. time isabout3hours. The (160 kmround-trip) and travel Scenic Byway is80kmlong National Park. KingsCanyon Cedar Grove inKingsCanyon ending about10kmafter and scenic KingsRiver, granite cliffsand the wild America. It follows dramatic the deepestcanyons inNorth into KingsCanyon, oneof This is the only vehicle route that visitors canwalk through. Tree SCENIC BYWAY KINGS CANYON ­t ember Giant , a fallen giant sequoia . south thanGiant Forest Museum. Highway 180, andwillnotbeableto drive further younot inservice, must use thenorthentrance on If you are travelling atis atimewhen theshuttle • • •

and schedules. Please visitthe website for the exact addresses Rivers Historical Museumstarting at 6:55 a.m. the Comfort InninThree Rivers andtheThree withdeparturesVisalia starting at 6a.m., and at There are designated stops at various hotels in hours inadvance. Online reservations are required at least 24 withinthepark use oftheshuttle service includes theparkentrance fee andunlimited A round-trip rideisabout$20perperson and ★★ KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK ★ Noteworthy . www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/parktransit.htm routes andschedules. Please visitthewebsite for more details onshuttle 4- General ShermanTree Trails (Orange Route) 3- Lodgepole /Wuksachi (PurpleRoute) 2- Moro Rock /Crescent Meadow (Grey Route) 1- Giant Forest (Green Route) off at any stop. are free ofcharge, soyou can simplyhoponand the park’s majorattractions. Thein-parkshuttles shuttle service Once insidethepark,take advantage ofunlimited THIS PARK. TIONAL PARK AND NO SHUTTLE SERVICE INSIDE THERE IS NO SHUTTLE TO KINGS CANYON NA ★ Worthdetour the between theVisitor Centers and ★ Must see -

© National Park Services, USA © Authentik USA, Simon Lemay DESTINATIONS

STARRY SKY IN SEQUOIA PARK © iStock-1138709697, Bonnie Nordling WHERE TO EAT GIANT FOREST MUSEUM — © California State Park

1 THE PEAKS RESTAURANT / 559-625-7700 POSTE 7608 memorable dining experience. than a dozen vegetarian and WUKSACHI LODGE ($$-$$$) WWW.VISITSEQUOIA.COM/DINE In addition to a vast array of vegan selections and gluten- This is your best option for ocean offerings, the menu free breads. Open Tuesday- eating in the national park. also includes a selection of Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 Choices are limited and you FRESNO salads, burgers, sandwiches, p.m. and Sundays from 10:30 can’t count on price and pasta and grilled meats. Open a.m. to 3 p.m. quality in remote areas. Serves SAM’S ITALIAN DELI Sunday-Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 41717, SIERRA DRIVE, THREE RIVERS breakfast, lunch and dinner in & MARKET ($-$$) 9 p.m., Wednesday-Thursday 559-561-4810 a comfortable, casual setting, This Italian market was founded from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and WWW.SIERRASUBSANDSALADS. with rustic furnishings and a in the late 1980s by Angela and Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to COM fire in the stone fireplace when Sam, an Italian couple originally 10 p.m. weather permits. The dining from Bari, in southern Italy. They 7937, N BLACKSTONE AVENUE, OL’ BUCKAROO ($$) room also offers a lovely view! serve a variety of deli sandwiches FRESNO / 559-439-9463 Located on a cliff overlooking Breakfast is an abundant buffet and pasta takeout. The aisles WWW.PISMOS.COM the , the Ol’ with pancakes, eggs, fresh are filled with Italian specialty Buckaroo is a boho-chic food fruit and more. The lunch and products, Angela bakes the bread truck that serves homemade dinner menus feature soups, and focaccia, and Sam prepares THREE RIVERS New American Cuisine-style salads, sandwiches, pasta, and homemade sausages. A must to dishes prepared from fresh fish, meat and poultry dishes. satisfy your hunger at a low price. SIERRA SUBS & SALADS ($-$$) organic ingredients. As all Note that it is not possible to Open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 This roadside sandwich and the food is prepared in the make a reservation if you are a.m. to 6 p.m. salad shop is just minutes from truck, meals must be enjoyed not staying at Wuksachi Lodge, 2415, N FIRST STREET, FRESNO Sequoia National Park, on the outdoors, but in a superb natural but you can eat there. Open 559-229-9346 banks of the Kaweah River. setting. The menu changes with in May-October for breakfast WWW.SAMSITALIANDELI.COM You can take your food to go the seasons. Open for breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., lunch or enjoy your meal on the Saturday-Sunday from 9:30 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and PISMO’S COASTAL GRILL patio overlooking the river. a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and for dinner dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 10 ($-$$$) They serve a wide array of Thursday-Sunday from 5 p.m. to p.m. In November-April, open You’ll think you’re on the healthy, delicious options and 9 p.m. Also open Mondays from for breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to California coast with the all the sauces, salsas, soups, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 10 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. coastal theme and delicious salads and salad dressings 41 695, SIERRA DRIVE, THREE RIVERS to 2:30 p.m., and dinner from 5 fish and seafood dishes. are prepared in-house from 559-465-5088 p.m. to 9 p.m. The quality and freshness of scratch. The menu features WWW.THEOLBUCKAROO.COM 64740, WUKSACHI WAY the food will exceed your sandwiches, salads, quesadillas, SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK expectations and create a burgers and pizzas. More *** Hours may vary ***

$ Inexppensive $$ Moderate $$$ Upscale $$$$ Fine dining KINGS CANYON SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON SCENIC BYWAY ★★ N

1 = Restaurants = Sequoia Parks ny Kings Ca o n cenic Byw = Kings Canyon Parks S ay 180 Visitor Center Kanawyers = Scenic drive Cedar Grove Sequoia 180 National Park Grant Grove Visitor Center ★★ Kings Canyon to Fresno National Park 198 ★★

GENERAL GRANT TREE TRAIL ★ GIANT FOREST MUSEUM ★★

245 CONGRESS TRAIL ★★ CRYSTAL ★ CAVE ★★ 1 Noteworthy Wuksachi CRESCENT Village Auckland MEADOW ★ BIG TREE TRAIL ★ TUNNEL ★ 245 LOG ★

Worthdetour the GIANT FOREST MUSEUM ★★ MORO ROCK ★★

UTAH San Francisco Yosemite Sequoia Visitor Center National Park

★ CALIFORNIA ★★

RIZONA Must see Monterey A 5 km to Three Rivers 198