We climbed out of bed early this morning because we knew we had to try a different route to get to Sequoia NP. We left the Corp Of Enginners lake campground and backtracked until we came to CA245. This road went around every grove for a 100 miles but we finally got close to the other entrance to Sequoia NP. Again we fell into the over the 30' length problem according to the sign along the road. Naturally we decided to give up on this park even though we wanted to see those big Sequoias.
We backtracked a little ways and then took a route west to CA99. We followed this to Fresno and took CA41 to Yosemite National Park. The mountains were not as high as the ones we traveled through in Utah. However, these were much worse. The grades, up & down, were steeper and the curves were a lot closer together and plentiful. We finally reached Yosemite National Park.
To say the least, this park was not tourist friendly. It is spread out all over the place with some commercial activities. The Visitor Center was very small. Even though the Park Rangers in the VC were friendly, they seem to lack knowledge of places to go with an RV.
We finally found a tour bus at a gas station (diesel $3.31) that was going to the Mariposa Grove which has plenty of large Sequoias. (Yippee!) We won't miss out after all. The bus seated 42 and they loaded it to 70. Talk about overloading. The drive had to negoiate the many curves and dodge the sight seeing oncoming traffic on a narrow two lane road. Sharon & I just watch the floor and never looked out!
When we reached the grove, we left the bus and spent about 2 hours hiking the trails to the different trees.
Here's a few pictures and comments from out day trip. Enjoy!
On the way to Yosemite NP. The curves were one after the other. We gave the MH a good workout through these.
Okay let's do it one curve at a time. Every now and then there was a turn out where you could pull over and let some traffic by. Sometimes I pulled over and let some by and sometimes others pulled over and let me go by. I don't blame them - I hate to keep looking at my mirror and seeing that motor home cruising up behind me.
As the sign indicates this place is spread out.
Here's a small sequoia along side the trail when we first started walking. Man, that is a lot of firewood!
This tree fell hundreds of years ago and is over 300' long. I won't go into detail (because I don't know why) but these trees don't decay enough to notice. The driver explained it but I couldn't hear him over the other 68 people on board the bus.
These trees are so tall that they seem to reach the Sun!
Two fallen giant Sequoias. Ends were cut to clear the trail.
They call these trees "The Bachelor and the Three Graces" They were HUGE!
A little more close to the Bachelor.
The original tunnel tree fell many years ago so this one is called the "California Tunnel Tree".
Here's the same tree with the people removed. (Just yell FIRE! and they all ran)
In this forest size does matter!
One of the trees by the road on the way back down to the tour bus. We were overwhelmed by the gigantic size of these trees.
The big trees were awesome and well worth the effort it took to get to see them. Pictures does not capture the feeling you get when you see these giants. Nothing can make you feel small as standing next to one of these. This part of Yosemite should be on your places to visit when in California.
We drove back down the narrow crooked road and hit CA99 to Modesto. We found a county campground on the reservoir. This CG was so nice we decided to stay a couple of days.
Thanks for traveling with us - hope you are enjoying the adventures!
Until we get on the road again - Happy Trails!
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