It just kept getting bigger

Visalia is the closest city to Sequoia National Park which is why we stayed there. It was a good choice. We got away just on 8am and it was a simple process to get on to the freeway which had moderate traffic meaning we could travel at the 65 mph speed limit. The park gate was 33 miles away. We passed very large  areas of orange trees and other fruit trees. The volume of water used in irrigation must be immense.

We had read that some days the que to get through the gate is an hour long. We were third in line. The Generals Highway was built in the 1920’s and it is a fabulous road. A nice even gradient and  really smooth. As we climbed the vista over the mountains opened up and there were plenty of places where we could pull over to look at the view. Bit by bit we climbed, 2000 feet, 3000 feet then 5000 and 6000 feet. The big trees are at altitude because it is too hot and too dry lower down, and then higher than that it is too cold.

The temperature was really pleasant. It was much better than the extreme heat on the plains. We stopped at the Giant Forest Museum and ranger station which was surrounded by huge Sequoia’s. Several hundred in the grove over were 10 feet across the trunk.

Our next stop was Moro Rock. This granite dome has had steps cut into it, making a challenging but worthwhile 300 foot climb up to 2050m. At least one member of our group who doesn’t like heights took her time, but did get to the top. The view was amazing. The photo’s won’t do justice due to the haze in the air.

On the way to Crescent Meadow, which was on the same road, there was a fallen tree which had been partially cut to allow vehicles to drive through, max 8 foot clearance. We walked around the meadow then came back to the car park for lunch. We had managed to get the last car park, so determined we would park in the large carpark by the Museum and catch the free shuttle to the General Sherman Tree, the largest living object on earth.

Tunnel Tree

The largest living theing on earth

Moro Rock - the dome in the distance

We got off the shuttle at the accessible entrance to the General Sherman tree and along with the crowds marvelled at the size and bulk of this huge tree. It is not the oldest, not the tallest or the widest but its volume is the greatest. We climbed up the path to the main car park, wishing we had taken the bus to the top and walked down. When we got to the car park we were ¾ of the height of the tree at 27 story’s high.

By this time it was mid afternoon so we began to make our way down the hill towards Clovis where we had booked for the night. There is a neighbouring National Park Kings Canyon. At this stage we thought we would come back to that park the next day. It was a great road coming of the mountain with easy curves which meant an easy 60 mph. It still took an hour and a ¼ to get to Clovis.

The motel was by the restaurant and a shopping mall. We walked the 200m for dinner and almost melted, so we drove to the mall and had a look through Marshall the discount and remainder chains. David made some purchases, Lynda and Aimee just tried some things on.

There was a loud bang in the middle of the night and the air conditioner stopped and then Police sirens. Someone had hit the power pole outside the motel. It didn’t disturb our sleep too much.