Sequoia National Park
If there was one thing that I was most excited about during my journey home, it was the Giant Forest Loop Trail at Sequoia National Park!
Believe it or not, this hike almost didn’t happen!! While staying at Yosemite, the RV park at our next stop called us to let us know about a new and worsening wildfire and evacuation order for the neighboring town. The threat to our route was eminent and we were offered a refund so that we could reroute our travels. At the time, this was a huge blow to our plans until we realized that my hike and the RV park were 3 hours apart!! WHAT?!?! How did we miss that very important detail? The one and only hike that I absolutely, positively wanted to do if all else failed this entire trip, was this hike! With this stroke of luck, we were able to get an RV park reservation not far from the National Park entrance closest to the trailhead and this hike was EVERYTHING I ever imagined!!
When you pull into the National Park, you would never imagine that these trees are hidden amongst the hills. You drive for an hour at 10 miles an hour making your way up the rocky cliffs edge until you finally come to a “landing” where the road flattens out a bit and the trees make their grand appearance!
General Sherman- the most famous Giant of them all! The mosaic tile laid out on the trail was an eye opener to the shear size of this tree, but it is not the tallest, nor the widest around… only the densest. Although this tree was impressive initially, getting off the beaten path revealed the treasures hidden in these hills.
The true size and magnitude of these giants can not be described or captured!
With 7 miles of back country hiking, this path was the gift that kept on giving!
In the valley…
you can find an old cabin built into a downed Sequoia tree and a glimpse at life here 150 years ago…
And from the ridge line…
you can see how small one truly is in this world.
I just had to take a moment to say “Thank You” for standing strong so that I could have the honor to stand before them!
Sequoia National Park is, by far, my most favorite place I have ever hiked! And with only one day to explore before continuing our journey home, this was the perfect day!
