Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park is located in the southern Sierra Nevada in Tulare County in California in the USA. The park, which covers an area of 1,635 square kilometres, was set up in 1890. Sequoia National Park features a vertical relief of nearly 4,000 metres (the western slope of USA’s highest summit Mt. Whitney is located here) and is contiguous with Kings Canyon National Park that lies to its north. Both parks are administered by the National Park Service. The combined area of thses two national parks is 3,504 square kilometres and the altitude ranges from 418 metres to 4,421 metres, height of Mt Whitney.

Geography:

The national park experiences topographic variation and a striking diversity in elevation (ranging from 412 metres to 4,417 metres. The terrain, accordingly, impacts on the climate which ranges from being hot and dry in the lowlands along the western border to the stark and snow-covered alpine high country.

Flora:

The high topographic diversity in Sequoia gives rise to a diverse flora and fauna. There are over 1,200 species of vascular plants including groves of massive giant sequoia trees, montane forests, alpine habitats, oak woodlands and chaparral.

Fauna:

Sequoia has a wide diversity of animal species that include over 260 native vertebrate species. Amon these 5 are extirpated while over 150 are rare and uncommon. Cougars and black bears are spotted here.

Climate:

The lower elevations of the park experience mild winters and hot, dry summers. Rainfall generally occurs from January to mid-May. Average rainfall here is 66 cm. Low clouds fly in from the west during the winter season. The middle elevations receive 102-114 cm of annual rainfall during winter, hence forming a deep snow blanket.

Summer in Cedar Grove is generally hotter than the middle elevations and cooler than the foothills. Cedar Grove remains closed during winter due to rockfalls on the road.

Reaching Sequoia National Park:

• By air:
  Fresno is the nearest airport.
• By rail:
  Fresno is the nearest Amtrak railhead. It is served by San Joaquins Oakland – Bakersfield route.
• By road:
  The park can be entered by Route 180 east from Fresno and Route 198 northeast from Visalia. The eastern parts of the park are accessible from trailheads off Highway 395.

Fees/Permits:

The park entrance fee (for both Sequoia and Kings Canyon) is $20 for private vehicles and $5 for individuals on foot or on bike. The fee remains valid for seven days.

Get around:

By car enroute 198

Attractions:

• Mt Whitney

• The road to Cedar Grove gives many an excellent views of the Kings Canyon.
• View of the Sierras
• The steep and winding road from Giant Forest down to the Ash Mountain entrance
• Scene of the Kaweah River valley.

• Grants Grove (a grove of giant Sequoia trees at the west entrance)
• Giant Forest (a collection of groves at the middle of Sequoia National Park including General Sherman Tree, the world’s largest tree). The area also has a museum.
• Crystal Cave
• Moro Rock (a granite dome)
• Tunnel Log (a fallen Sequoia tree that can be driven through)
• Crescent Meadow (a High-Sierra meadow)

Activities:

• Day Hiking to Alta Peak, Wolverton, Tokopah falls, Lookout peak

Accommodation:

• Wuksachi Lodge in the Lodgepole area (Sequoia)

• John Muir Lodge
• Grant Grove cabins at Grant Grove Village (Kings Canyon)
• Cedar Grove Lodge in Cedar Grove (Kings Canyon)
• Hotels and motels outside the park

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