A King In The Land Of Giants
Situated in the center of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, Kings Canyon National Park is the sister park of Sequoia National Park and is one of America’s most beautiful national park destinations. These parks rank among the top of the the list of “Dream Style Vacations” within America’s National Park system. The National Park Service manages both Sequoia and Kings Canyon together as if they were one park, although they are in-fact two distinct parks. Kings Canyon and Sequoia are home to some of the largest living organisms on the planet, the Sequoia Trees, as well as some of the Sierra’s most impressive mountain peaks. Deep canyons and valleys add to this rugged landscape. By itself, Kings Canyon National Park encompasses nearly 463,000 acres.
Cedar Grove and Grant Grove are the park’s two main areas.. Kings Canyon can also boast the largest grove of Giant Sequoia’s in the World… the Redwood Mountain Grove. Grant Grove is one of the most popular spots in the park, and a big reason for that is because this is the home of the famous “General Grant” giant sequoia tree. It towers above the surrounding forests at 267 feet high, and was officially declared “The Nation’s Christmas Tree.”
The Kings River and South Fork area of the San Joaquin River have extensive glacial canyons. The park’s name sake, “Kings Canyon” is the deepest canyon in the US, at more than 8,000 feet! Massive glacier’s worked meticulously for many years in order to carve out this vast deep canyon into the foothills of the Sierra Range. Today, the U-shaped Kings Canyon is one of the area’s favorite whitewater rafting spots.
Cedar Grove is an area of spectacular beauty and unmatched panoramas. A series of hiking and backpacking trails weave their way through the park leading to many destinations including such attractions as Roaring River Falls & Zumwalt Meadows. Roaring River Falls is a beautiful fall where water gushes out of a granite chute and cascades into a brilliant aqua pool. The hike to Raring River Falls is an easy five-minute walk down an easy pathway. Resting under the silent gaze of Grand Sentinel and North Dome in Kings Canyon Park, Zumwalt Meadow – a grove of ponderosa trees – is a living postcard of the beauty of the Sierra Nevadas. A 1-mile long trail wraps around the ponderosa meadow allowing visitors the opportunity to take in the beauty of the valley from many different angles.
Ten miles west of Cedar Grove is the Boyden Cavern. This cave has guided tours where people can explore intriguing geology such as the flowing formation called “Mother Nature’s Wedding Cake.” East of Grant Grove, Jennie Lakes Wilderness is a mix of meadows and forest lands which offers a variety of day-hike options. The stately 10,300+ ft. tall Mitchell Peak stands watch over this wilderness area and provides a stunning backdrop to the valley. Kings Canyon National Park also has a 45,000-acre area set aside called Monarch Wilderness. This steep territory ranges from 950 to over 11,000 feet in elevation, and crosses into Sequoia National Park.
Hiking, backpacking, fishing, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing are some of travelers’ favorite outdoor activities at both parks. Weather can vary greatly across these parks depending on the elevation you are at. Winters are mild and summers hot in the lower elevations, but the temperatures drop rapidly and the precipitation increases significantly the higher you climb in elevation.
The beauty of Kings Canyon is impressive indeed, anytime of the year. The varied geography throughout the park makes this destination a favorite amongst many travelers from around the nation and around the world. Kings Canyon is a land of diverse beauty, rich natural history, and unequaled serenity.
To learn more about Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, visit www.NationalParkReservations.com/sequoia.htm. Learn how to turn your Kings Canyon vacation into a paycheck… Dream Style Vacation Club – www.DSVCI.com