Even before we found out that we won the lottery to spend the night on Mount Whitney Kristin made it clear she wanted to see the giant trees of Sequoia National Forest. This was great news as I also had always wanted to see the Sequoias so we made sure there would be a stop on our way to the main mission. While this trip was a pitstop that merely scratched the surface we still had such a fun and relaxing time in the area!
Following a nice breakfast on the pier in Malibu at Malibu Farm we were heading north towards Three Rivers. Three Rivers is the closest stop to Sequoia National Park on the south side and we were fortunate enough to get one of the last rooms at Buckeye Tree Lodge, which was an incredibly relaxing location next to a river nestled into the mountains.
The lodge is somewhere we would highly recommend and we could definitely see going back with a larger group of family and friends. While we stayed in a hotel room there are large cabins available as well. Situated right on the river we began to feel the first relaxing breaths only available in nature.
After enjoying some coffee on the porch and near the river we loaded up on breakfast at the Gateway Restaurant next door while smiling at ducks in the rocky river below. The breakfast was hearty and exactly what we need at this point as we continued to focus on loading calories in advance of the upcoming Mt. Whitney hike.
The drive along the Generals Highway is incredibly unique with wonderful views along the twenty two mile drive to the Giant Forest Museum. The Continuous uphill provides several wonderful places to stop for pictures as the scenery continuously changes.
After cruising for a little while we reached the Foothills Visitor Center where we were able to purchase a National Parks Pass, which was a no brainer, and have a good laugh with the ranger about how not everyone in California dislikes Texans. We continued on our way and were soon at another site seeing stop with Tunnel Rock.
As we gained more elevation the first views of the giant Sequoias presented themselves and we were entering the heart of the forest. Some time was spent looking around the museum and getting our first up close and personal view of a Sequoia with the Sentinel Tree before walking over to the Big Trees Trail.
The Big Tree Trail is a 1.2 mile loop around a meadow surrounded by hundreds of Sequoias that are truly awe inspiring. Walking through the forest feels like a step back in time or to a different world. During the stroll we learned about the history of Sequoias, how they age, and how fires enable their seeds to grow. Throughout the walk we saw lots o wildlife and were enthralled with little critters chomping through pinecones to enjoy the seeds at their center.
If there had been more time there were a few other hikes and sites we would have liked to have seen at this point:
.3 miles best enjoyed at sunset
Short walks on the Crescent Meadow Road
High Sierra Trail (Perhaps One Day)
72 miles into the continental divide - not for the faint of heart
Once we had made the Big Trees loop it was time to head to General Sherman and put our own four eyes on the largest known single-stem tree in the world.
The walk to General Sherman is a steep .6 miles downhill with an overlook along the way. There is a lot to explore in the area and with more time we would have liked to walk the Congress Trail. This was the end of our time in the one of a kind Sequoia and we cannot wait to go back for a longer visit and more exploring!
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