10 In California/ Travel

Sequoia National Park, California

IMG_2218

Last week I went out to Los Angeles to visit my cousin for a week.  A few years ago I went out there and we did a lot of the typical L.A. things: we went to Hollywood, did the Chinese Theatre, hit the art museums and went to the beach.  While we did do some fun city things this week, we also visited three different National Parks and spent some time outside!  It was great!

We started with Sequoia National Park.  It was absolutely gorgeous.  When you drive into the park you drive through this canyon and you drive up to the top of it.  There are so many really spectacular views on the way up.

IMG_6766

IMG_6769

When you get to the top of the canyon the landscape completely changes.  Suddenly, you’re surrounded by this beautiful, lush, 2,000-year-old forest!  It’s absolutely crazy how drastic the change is.

IMG_2213

We didn’t do a ton of hikes in this park, we spent more time in the neighboring Kings Canyon National Park (post soon to come), but we did the Big Tree hike after going to the Giant Forest Museum.  The museum was definitely worth a stop because I really learned a lot in there, it’s free, and the staff was incredibly helpful.

IMG_6896

IMG_6782

We went to The General Sherman Tree, which is the largest tree in the world based on the amount of wood in the trunk! It’s crazy!

IMG_6906

IMG_6901

Connected to the General Sherman Tree Trail is the Congress Trail.  The trees are named after government positions and has some of the largest Sequoias in this area.  There had been a forest fire so part of the trail is closed, but one that we got to see and enjoyed was The President!  Very cool!

IMG_6912

It was a really great, really beautiful trip through this National Park.  It was great to take a couple days and get away.  Camping in Sequoia was definitely a highlight of this trip!

20130808-163450.jpg

For more posts and travel articles I find interesting ‘like’ the For the Love of Wanderlust page on Facebook.  Simply click HERE.

You Might Also Like

10 Comments

  • Reply
    Little Fingers
    August 12, 2013 at 11:09 pm

    I was in LA few weeks ago and I wanted to visit kings canyon and sequoia park, but got busy with my family. I loved those tall trees reminds me of redwood national park.

    • Reply
      ashleypaige4
      August 16, 2013 at 12:08 pm

      Family time is always great, and is usually much-needed, so I understand that! They reminded me of the Redwoods too! I really want to go back there… Maybe soon! Thanks for reading!

  • Reply
    liz
    August 13, 2013 at 8:24 am

    I gotta get my butt up in the mtns here and lose myself on some trail! Looks like it was a beautiful, fun trip! xx

    • Reply
      ashleypaige4
      August 16, 2013 at 12:10 pm

      Yes you do! I have been staring at some pictures of North Carolina… What is it like there in December/January? I’m thinking of doing a major road trip post-graduation…

  • Reply
    evelynbrook
    August 13, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    Such a beautiful place! I’m a Northern California girl. You should see the Redwoods we have up here!

    • Reply
      ashleypaige4
      August 16, 2013 at 12:15 pm

      I’m jealous that you’re around such a beautiful area all the time! I went to the Redwoods on a family road trip when I was in middle school and loved it, but I NEED to go back because I remember liking it so much! Maybe soon I’ll make my way back to your area! Thanks for reading and commenting!

  • Reply
    Ben
    August 22, 2013 at 9:05 am

    Looks like a great place to go and be in awe of nature. Unfortunately we missed this park when visiting California, I’m not sure how! But we’ll have to visit next time, the General Sherman tree looks incredible. Thanks for sharing.

    • Reply
      ashleypaige4
      August 28, 2013 at 3:28 pm

      Thanks for reading and commenting! I’m always in awe of nature. It’s incredible how it varies across different landscapes. I hadn’t even heard of Sequoia or Kings Canyon until about a month before my trip out there, I heard about it on an NPR story. They were both incredible! I hope you make it out to see them soon!

  • Reply
    Meghan
    September 15, 2013 at 10:49 pm

    Wow, this looks amazing! I can’t wait to see those trees in person! Sounds like you has a good time too!

    • Reply
      PaigeBrown
      December 16, 2013 at 5:40 pm

      Thanks, Meghan- clearly I’m behind on comments- sorry! You’ll love these parks!

    Join the Conversation!

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.