| America's second oldest national park, the Sequoia | | | | You can't make a visit to the Sequoia and miss |
| National Park is a unique and unspoiled ecosystem | | | | out on Mount Whitney, can you? Agreed, the trail |
| having some of the most amazing views in the | | | | is overcrowded and you're going to brush |
| world. Towering sequoia trees, lofty mountain | | | | shoulders with more people than you like. But an |
| peaks, magnificent meadows and tumbling water | | | | alternative does exist, provided you have the |
| falls make this park one of nature's most brilliant | | | | time. The High Sierra Trail which starts at the |
| artworks. | | | | Crescent Meadow and ends in the John Muir Trail |
| The Sequoia is California's first national park and | | | | is lengthier by 62 miles. You may take between 8 |
| receives more than a million visitors every year. It | | | | and 10 days to cover the trail, but if you want to |
| is most famous for its namesake, the giant | | | | avoid the press of humanity, this is your best bet. |
| redwood sequoias that grow thick and huge. | | | | At an elevation of approximately 7,800 ft, the |
| These awe-inspiring trees are over 30 feet wide, | | | | subalpine valley of the Mineral King is another rare |
| 310 feet tall and may live for almost 3,000 years. | | | | treat for hikers. |
| With their near impossible breadth, going around | | | | Some of the other adventure activities you can |
| one of them can literally take your breath away! | | | | enjoy here are cave tours, fishing and horseback |
| However, in spite of its name, sequoia groves in | | | | riding. |
| the Sequoia National Park are limited to small | | | | If your idea of fun in the great parks is wildlife |
| pockets. The rest of the area is covered by huge | | | | gazing, the Sequoia won't disappoint. Keep your |
| mountains, canyons, lakes and waterfalls. | | | | eyes peeled for mountain lions, marmots, bears, |
| The Sequoia offers a number of year-round fun | | | | coyotes, raccoons, bobcats and ringtails. In the |
| activities for visitors and is seldom overcrowded. | | | | Rae Lakes area, you can sight bighorn sheep. |
| The park is famous for its hiking trails and picnic | | | | Rattlesnakes are also abundant in the hills nearby; |
| spots. The best time to enjoy sensational hiking is | | | | though this is one species you don't want to run |
| during the summer and spring. | | | | into. |