Brown - Moon Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon

ANN MARIE BROWN

Plunging waterfalls, stark granite, alpine lakes, pristine meadows, giant sequoia trees, and raging riversyoull find them all in the national parks of Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon.

From Yosemite Valleys famous waterfalls, which are among the tallest in the world, to the towering granite domes and glistening meadows of Tioga Pass, Yosemite is a place that can only be described in superlatives. At 1,169 square miles and 750,000 acres, the park is nearly the size of Rhode Island and is one of the most popular national parks in the United States, visited by about 4 million people each year.

Set aside as a national park in 1890, Yosemite is a place that is synonymous with scenery. The seven-mile-long Yosemite Valley, with its 3,000-foot granite walls and leaping waterfalls, is known the world over as an incomparable natural wonder. It is estimated that more than half of the parks visitors see only Yosemite Valley when they travel to Yosemite, even though the Valley makes up less than 1 percent of the park.

Beyond the Valley lies the pristine high country of Tioga Pass Road and Tuolumne Meadows subalpine expanse, bordered by precipitous mountain summits and granite domes. To the northwest lies Hetch Hetchy, a reservoir in a valley considered a twin of Yosemite Valley. To the south is Glacier Point with its picture-postcard vistas, and the marvels of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoiasthe largest living trees on earth.

Just 75 miles south of Yosemite are two national parks that hold the greatest concentration of these botanical wondersbut with about half the visitors. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks harbor more than 50 of the 75 worlds remaining groves of giant sequoias. Adjacent to the national parks are the lands of Giant Sequoia National Monument, which are managed by the U.S. Forest Service. This distinction is inconsequential to most visitors: Park roads such as the winding Kings Canyon Scenic Byway and the epic Generals Highway cross park and forest boundaries, and the lovely Sierra scenery knows no boundaries.

The majority of park visitors spend their time in Yosemite Valley. This is where most of the parks lodgings and restaurants are located, where most guided tours take place, and where a wealth of organized activities happen daily: ranger walks, biking, art classes, photography seminars, and more. The Valley is also a geologic marvel: Yosemites world-famous waterfalls drop from the valley rim. El Capitan, the largest single piece of granite rock on earth, and Half Dome, one of the most photographed landmarks in the West, are both located here.

In southern Yosemite, near the hamlet of Wawona, are two of Yosemites premier attractions: the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and Glacier Point. The Mariposa Grove boasts several hundred giant trees. Glacier Point is a drive-to overlook that offers one of the best views in the West, encompassing all the major granite landmarks of Yosemite Valley and the surrounding high country. History lovers will enjoy Wawona, with its historic buildings at the Pioneer Yosemite History Center and 19th-century Wawona Hotel.

The Tuolumne Meadows region is ideal for hikers and backpackers. At an elevation of 8,600 feet, Tuolumne Meadows is one of the parks most photographed regions. Its wide, grassy expanse is bound by high granite domes and peaks. Trails lead to alpine lakes set below the spires of Cathedral Peak and Unicorn Peak, to roaring waterfalls on the Tuolumne River, and to the summits of lofty granite domes with commanding vistas of the high country. Visitor services are few and far between here, but hikers, campers, and nature lovers will be in their element.

The Tioga Pass area offers hikers stellar High Sierra scenery.

Alpine Lakes: Tioga Pass Road offers access to Cathedral, Gaylor, Sunrise, May, and Elizabeth Lakes. The Eastern Sierra features Virginia Lakes and the June Lake Loop.

Bicycling: Ride the Yosemite Valley bike paths. In the Eastern Sierra, mountain bike the Panorama Mountain Trail near June Lake or head to Mammoth Mountain Bike Park.

Backpacking: From Tuolumne Meadows, hike to Ten Lakes and Grant Lakes or the Vogelsang Loop. In Hetch Hetchy, backpack to Rancheria Falls. In Wawona, follow the Chiquito Pass Trail.

Fishing: Try the South Fork Merced River in Wawona, or the South Fork of the Tuolumne River along Tioga Pass Road. In the Eastern Sierra, fish at Saddlebag Lake or Conway Ranch.

Giant Sequoias: Wawonas Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is king. Along Highway 120 are the quieter Merced Grove (near Big Oak Flat) and Tuolumne Grove (near Crane Flat).

Hiking: Yosemite Valleys Yosemite Falls, Mist, and Half Dome trails are crowded and popular. In summer, hike Tuolumne Meadows Lembert Dome or Dog Lake trails.

Horseback Riding: Yosemite Valley Stables, Wawona Stables, and Tuolumne Meadows Stables offer guided horse and/or mule rides.

Rock Climbing: Take a lesson from Yosemite Mountaineering School and Guide Service.