We stayed in Lemon Cove, California for a month to visit both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. It was triple digit temperatures for most of our stay, but the National Parks were higher elevations and mostly comfortable temperatures for hiking.

Sequoia National Park

General Sherman is a giant sequoia and by volume, it is the largest known living single-stem tree on Earth.

A controlled or prescribed burn is a wildfire set intentionally for purposes of forest management.  Signs for burns are all around the park.

Hike to scenic Big Baldy to a nice view of the park and through beautiful wildflowers.

During our drive to Moro Rock for a hike, we saw momma bear and her two adorable cubs.

As you enter Sequoia National Park, Moro Rock looms overhead, thousands of feet above the highway. This large granite dome is a spectacular geologic feature that can be enjoyed from above or below.  A concrete and stone stairway leads over 350 steps to the top of Moro Rock.

Forestiere Underground Gardens

The Forestiere Underground Gardens, located in Fresno, California, are a series of subterranean structures built by Baldasare Forestiere, an immigrant from Sicily, over a period of 40 years from 1906 to his death in 1946. The catalyst for the construction of the underground abode was a result of the hot summers typical of the Fresno area. The inspiration lends itself to ancient Roman catacombs that Baldasare was infatuated with in his youth. Countless hours were spent excavating the hardpan layer that cements much of Fresno’s soil to create his underground home. It had a summer bedroom, a winter bedroom, a bath, a functional kitchen, a fish pond, and a parlor with a fireplace.  Interspersed amongst the beautiful stone walls and archways are grottoes and courtyards that allow for pockets of light. The intricate pathways were created section by section, over a span of 10 acres, without the aid of blueprints.

Kings Canyon National Park

The General Grant tree, also called America’s Christmas Tree, is the second largest tree in the world.

Zumwalt Meadow and Roaring Rivers Trails are very close to each other and we did them together. Waterfalls, green meadows, and gray stone rocks.

Next stop is Ventura, California to see friends and Channel Islands National Park.