April 11, 2018.
At Sequoia National Park’s visitor center we learned that snow was expected at the higher elevations. Tire chains would be required if we camped above 4,000 feet. So we reserved a site at Potwisha campground (1,700 feet), and drove uphill to see as many big trees as we could in one day.
But I was completely surprised to learn how amazing these trees are. First, they become the largest trees in the world (by volume, not by height). Second, because they live thousands of years. And last, because they thrive on adversity.
What other species benefits from being burned up every few years? Forest fires bake the female cones, making them open and release seeds. The seeds are more likely to germinate in ground covered in ashes. Fires burn up competing underbrush. And fire resistant Sequoia bark heals over burnt scars on the trunks.
We had plenty of time to hike through the trees. We also made it out to Moro Rock. From there you can get a good view of the surroundings.
Right now, this very minute, we are sitting on a New Mexican hill in a little slice of nowhere. Although I can see the highway from here, I don’t think they can see us. No one is camped within a couple of miles of us. All we can see any way we look, just desert and hills.
* All pics are click to enlarge.
Moro Rock – I remember doing that trail. We also have cheesy pictures of our car driving underneath one of those big trees. Can’t remember what park it was at though.
If we would have fit (which we wouldn’t have) we would have driven the van through the fallen tree – but the road was closed anyways. A bit cheesy – yes, but fun.