Changed plans

When we drove out of sequoia national park we thought we would come back the next day. It was a long way back, and then even longer to get to our destination for the night so we decided to go to the Sierra National Forest. This is what I had in mind when I booked our accommodation.

We were underway by 8-30am after filling up with Petrol, this time $2.26 per gallon. Google maps guided us to the freeway and we were soon on our way to the mountains again. This time the freeway continued up the mountain. Two lanes each way, hardly any vehicles and easy to do 55 mph up the hill made for a quick journey to Shaver Lake.

Shaver Lake

There are several lakes in the area which are part of a large hydro-electric system. They also make for great recreational facilities and are quite beautiful with fir trees down to the water’s edge. After a rest at Shaver Lake we drove further on to Huntington Lake which is at 7000 feet and is one of the top sailing lakes in California. We drove around this lake and then back to Shaver Lake by a narrow secondary road. The views were impressive and the Granite Cliffs awesome.

We had lunch sitting on the sand at the edge of Shaver Lake and then set off for the Big Tree Grove. This is a small grove of Sequoia’s many of which are more than 10 feet across. There were only a couple of other people so it was possible to take our time looking. We continued along the road to another dam. A most impressive structure in an amazing landscape of granite studded with a few trees. Of the lakes we had seen this was the lowest, a reasonable snowfall last winter had significantly improved the state of the other lakes.

Chipmunk

We had to retrace our steps to get to our destination for the night. It was an uneventful trip down the fabulous 4 lane highway and then onto narrow country roads to get us to Oakhurst. While this was a round a bout route to go on major highways would have meant a much longer journey.

Big Trees Grove

Another Sierra Lake

The motel at Oakhurst was 14 miles from the Yosemite gate, which is why we are staying hear. The town of Oakhurst was about a mile down the road. We drove down to find some dinner and ended up in a Pizza Restaurant. One very large Pizza was more than we could manage. It was an excellent Pizza. Then to the Supermarket for yoghurt for breakfast and some more fruit.

Another good day. It would have been too long to go back to the Kings Canyon. Something to do for next time?