This blog will feature pretty much one thing: Giant trees! Oh, and a few side trips for Murphy. Like most national parks, dogs are not allowed on the trails, so Dave snagged a campsite in the Sequoia National Forest, where Murphy is allowed to hike. There was a beautiful trail that led through a forest and near a meadow, which he and I hiked early each morning. Our first morning on the trail, we had a deer watch us as we hiked around him; the deer did not move an inch (other than his head rotating around).
Before heading to the Giant Trees, our first destination was nearby Hume Lake. Situated at 5,200 feet, it is surrounded by towering Sequoias and Jeffrey pines, it was beautiful! There was a hiking trail around the lake, which the three of us enjoyed and of course, Murphy swam. He loved Hume Lake. The lake is also home to a large Christian Camp which has been in operation since 1946. And boy was it packed with kids enjoying the lake.
The lake has an interesting history. It was created in 1908 by the construction of a unique multiple arch dam to support logging operations. The lake served as a log pond and water source for a 73-mile-long flume that transported logs to the Central Valley.
The logging ceased in the 1920’s due to decreased profits and a devastating fire. The U.S. Forest Service bought the land from the lumber company and incorporated it into Sequoia National Forest. The lake serves as a large recreational area, with fishing, boating, hiking and camping. The lake has over 4,000 visitors weekly in the summer months. It was sure busy the day we were there. People lined the shores picnicking, lounging in the water on floats, or kayaking around the lake.
Now on to the Giant Trees!
Our campground was just outside of Kings Canyon National Park, where we hiked to the General Grant Tree, the second-largest tree in the world by volume, standing 268’ tall, a base circumference of 106’, with 46,608 cubic feet in volume. Wowza! There was also a fallen sequoia which we walked through. Next to it was a picture – it looked exactly the same in 1900 and served as a shelter while cabins were built.
Sequoia National Park is home to the famous General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on Earth by volume, standing 270’ tall, with a 103’ base circumference, total volume coming in at 52,508 cubic feet. It is estimated to be between 2,300 and 2,700 years old. The tree was named after General Sherman in 1879, when James Wolverton found the tree while working as a guide and explorer in the Sierra Nevada. He served under General Sherman in the Civil War and wanted to name the tree in his honor. At the time, it was common practice to name giant sequoias after famous American figures, as it reflected the sense of national pride and the desire to connect the grandeur of nature with the country’s history. During a large fire in 2021, the base was wrapped in foil for protection.
Dave and I tagged team staying with Murphy and each enjoyed a 3-mile hike amongst the trees in the sequoia grove which includes the General Sherman tree. Such beauty! And it smelled so good. Every time we go to a national park or forest, we are thankful for our prior leaders who knew to preserve this beauty for generations to come.
We also stopped by Moro Rock, a granite dome. A short, but steep stone stairway of 350 steps takes you to the top for gorgeous views.
Next up, a dog friendly hike to the Boole Tree in the Sequoia National Forest; the sixth tallest sequoia in the world at 269′ and the largest in terms of its base circumference at 113 feet. This tree is in a grove which was heavily logged in the late 1800’s and for some reason, this sequoia remained. During the active logging period, thousands of the giant sequoias were logged and now only 60 to 100 remain.
I hiked down to the tree, while Dave stayed up on the trail to take a picture of me for perspective on how giant it really is. You will have to zoom in to see me. The hike also offered great views across the Kings Canyon.
Now for a fun fact. And yes, it involves one of the giant sequoias. Once named the General Noble Tree, a giant sequoia was cut into pieces in 1893, shipped to the Chicago World’s Fair, and reassembled. The effort to share the huge size of these trees with the world was met with disbelief, and it became known as the “California Hoax.” Below is a picture of the stump left behind, now called the “Chicago Stump.”
Dave’s latest You Tube video. Next step will be to add a voice over. Microphone on order!
Well, that wraps up our trip to see the giant trees and to get 2 more stamps in my National Parks Passport book. On to our next adventure: The third oldest national park in the United States (after a quick stay at a commercial campground to restock). P.S. Sequoia National Park is the U.S.’s second oldest national park. established on September 25, 1890. The third oldest was established on October 1, 1890, just a few days later.
They definitely are GIANT trees Brenda, another one of our Nation’s treasures Dave, and thanks for taking me on hikes Murphy.
Another pleasant blog of our country’s treasures. We enjoyed seeing Dave’s You Tube video of your experience. Well done! Thank you for sharing.
Reta