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Week of Trails: Trail 4 Moro Rock

5/31/2017

The climb up Moro Rock always offers a dramatic view. Throughout the seasons the natural environment changes and the view can be different each time you visit.

Distance: 0.6 miles round trip
Hiking time: 40 minutes

As you enter Sequoia National Park you will see Moro Rock looming overhead above the highway. Park in the Moro Rock parking lot. As you begin to ascend the 350 steps to the summit of this granite dome you will quickly see dramatic views.

There are handrails along the way and plenty of areas to stop and rest. The hike can be strenuous so be sure to take your time as you climb.

Views along the way:

Once at the top you will feel as if you are on top of the world. Take your time at the top and when ready, head back down the way you came.

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Week of Trails: Trail 3 Middle Fork Kaweah Falls

5/30/2017

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At the end of this hike, you will see a 20-foot high cascade on the Middle Fork Kaweah River. At the base of the falls is a large pool surrounded by beautiful, polished rock formations.

Distance: 1.6 miles round trip
Hiking time: 1 hours

Park in the Hospital Rock parking lot and hike towards Buckeye Campground, unless you are already camping there.

Along the way you will see a diverse display of nature. A few examples of what you can expect to see are butterfly, manzanita, buckeye, yucca, and Castle Rocks.

Once you reach the campground look for site 28. At campsite 28 you will see a signed trail on the left. Follow that path and you will quickly see the river. Cross a footbridge and bear left heading upstream past pools and boulders. A short distance from the bridge you will come to Kaweah Falls.

The rivers in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are swift and dangerous. Always use caution when near the river.

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Week of Trails: Trail 2 Viola Falls

5/29/2017

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Along this trail you will pass Hitchcock Meadow, a small scenic meadow surrounded by giant sequoia stumps. You will also pass Sequoia Creek along the way.

Distance: 3.5 miles round trip
Hiking time: 1.5 hours

Park in the Big Stump Picnic Area near the Kings Canyon entrance. Start at the trailhead on the west side of the parking lot where you will see a sign for Hitchcock Meadow Trail. You will quickly enter the forest and descend gradually to the valley floor.

At 1.2 miles you will pass a junction with the Sequoia Boundary Trail. Take the left fork. You will then cross Sequoia Creek on a bridge and then a tributary stream.

Spotted near the stream was a dragonfly depositing eggs into the water (see video to the right). After two dragonflies mate, the female dragonfly will lay her eggs on a plant in the water, or if she can’t find a suitable plant she will just drop them into the water.

You may also spot beautiful wildflowers.

Interesting fact: Foxglove (light purple bell-shaped flower to the right) is on the list of the most invasive non-native plants for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Efforts to eradicate this non-native plant from Sequoia and Kings Canyon began in 1999.

Just past the stream you will pass another junction. Bear left, following Sequoia Creek downstream 0.1 mile to the granite pools of Viola Falls.

After enjoying the scenery at Viola Falls, return by retracing your steps.

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Week of Trails: Trail 1 Crescent and Log Meadows

5/28/2017

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This hike takes you past a meadow that John Muir described as a gem of the Sierra. This is a fantastic hike for those looking to spot wildlife.

Distance: 1.7-mile loop
Hiking time: 1 hour

Park in the Crescent Meadow parking area. As you begin this jaunt you will see the trailhead sign. Head right to follow the loop counterclockwise. You will cross over 2 wooden footbridges then take the fork to the left. As you pass the footbridges stop to see if you can find any ladybugs.

Continue on the paved path through the forest. As you pass log meadow you may see a bear or deer.

At .8 miles you will reach Tharp's log which is a fire-hollowed Sequoia tree turned into a cabin. From there you will ascend the low ridge that separates Crescent and Log Meadows. Next, you will come across Chimney Tree. Continue along the trail and you will reach a picnic area and the trailhead at 1.7 miles.

By Flickr user sjorford (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sjorford/2938703798/) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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94-year-old Navy Veteran Returns to Crystal Cave

5/21/2017

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Chester, a 94-year-old Navy veteran, helped build the trail inside Crystal Cave in 1940. At age 17 Chester helped to open the cave to tourist before he went to fight in World War II. Over 70 years later Chester returns to see the cave he once worked on.

Chester's brother contacted SPC when Chester made the request to visit the cave he had worked on so many years ago. We made arrangements to make this happen. The Fresno City College football team helped to carry Chester down the steep and strenuous 1/2 mile trail to the cave.

Hosting an original Crystal Cave CCC member was an honor. We are happy to have been able to make this happen for Chester.

Fresno Bee article www.fresnobee.com/sports/article151663737.html.
For more information on Crystal Cave visit www.explorecrystalcave.com.

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Sequoia Parks Conservancy, the official 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (National Park Service) and Lake Kaweah (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), uses tax-deductible contributions to support these parks.

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Week of Trails: Trail 4 Moro Rock

Week of Trails: Trail 3 Middle Fork Kaweah Falls

Week of Trails: Trail 2 Viola Falls

Week of Trails: Trail 1 Crescent and Log Meadows

94-year-old Navy Veteran Returns to Crystal Cave

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