Giant Sequoia Day Trip From Madera California

Just one hour south east of Madera lies Sequoia National Park

, home to the world's largest living things, the Giant Sequoia trees. The Giant Sequoias are as tall as typical 26-story buildings. The base of the trees would fill a city street.The largest of the giants is over 50,000 cubic feet in volume.

A short drive the Highway 99 and then east on Highway 180, Madera residents drive right into the west entrance of the park at Grant Grove. Grant Grove offers lodging (both cabins and a lodge) and dining. It is home to the General Grant Giant Sequoia tree, the nation's Christmas tree. Grant Grove provides access to both Kings Canyon National Park and to deeper exploration of Sequoia National Park.

One hour north of Grant Grove Madera residents will enjoy the rugged canyons of Kings Canyon National Park, some of which are deeper than the Grand Canyon. It is a photographer's paradise with sheer cliffs and roaring rivers. Boyden's Cave is also available for tours, featuring cave formations such as stalactites and stalagmites.

South east of Grant Grove lies Lodge Pole and the nearby grove of Giant Sequoias that includes the General Sherman tree, officially the world's largest living thing. Lodge Pole offers lodging and dining. Visitors may dine there and drive the short distance to the Sherman tree where they can walk up to the base of the tree for photos. A nearby Sequoia grove offers a pleasant and mild hike through the redwoods.

Past the Lodge Pole area, travelers will find Moro Rock, a rock with stairs and railing that allows visitors to climb and view the Golden Trout Wilderness of the high Sierra or the San Joaquin Valley below. The climb to the top of the rock is moderate to strenuous, though it can be taken at a slow pace. About one-third of the way up the rock, visitors enjoy an incredible view and many will stop there and allow hard-core travelers to climb the rest of the rock.

Crescent Meadow is another must-see feature of the park. The meadow is a large open meadow featuring the flora and fauna of the Sequoia area. A short mile walk around the meadow will also introduce you to "Tharpe's Log," a hollowed-out log that was used as a home about one hundred years ago.

As you drive to Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow, you will also have the opportunity to drive under and park on top of some of these living giants. Plan to take plenty of pictures.

From the Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow area, Madera residents can continue their drive into Three Rivers and return to Madera via Visalia. However, be forewarned that this road is slow and winding. Returning via Grant Grove will be the fastest return to Madera.

by: Alexander V. Martin

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