Yosemite National Park may get all the pub and glory but Sequoia National Park is an enticing alternative high up in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. If you like peace, solitude, adventure, rugged peaks, pristine lakes and rivers, along with it’s main attraction, Giant Sequoia Trees, then Sequoia is a preferred destination. I worked a summer in Sequoia during my college years and it is a summer I will never forget. Where else can you encounter a black bear and a tarantula on the same day!
The park has immense elevation changes starting from the chaparral in the foothills at 1,300 feet, to dense sub alpine forests and onto the treeless alpine environment. Sequoia is home to Mt Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states at 14,491 feet and the world’s largest tree, The General Sherman.
The General Sherman Tree Has A Diameter Of Nearly 34 Feet
Fog rolls into Giant Forest and the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range at Sequoia National Park, California
More Fog From the Valley Below
Fog-Shrouded Castle RocksFall Colors Stand Out
Lichen-covered Lodgepole PinesBackpacking The SierrasEagle Scout Peak Along The High Sierra TrailRelaxing In The Back Country At Hamilton LakesHamilton Creek FallsHiking To The Top Of Mt. WhitneyMt. WhitneyMt. Whitney From The Owens Valley’s’ Alabama HillsView From The TopCamping Below Whitney SummitSolo Whitney HikerOne Of My Favorite Rivers, The Kaweah River At The Sequoia Foothills
Paradise Creek
WildflowersMustang Clover
Sequoia’s In A Blur………Mother And Cub Black BearMore Wildlife
Thanks Katelon. As a backpack trip we took 3 days but as a day hike, we started at 3am and finished around 6pm. 22 miles total with an elevation gain of over 6,000 feet.
Your beautiful images warm up my heart. I have been numerous times at the Sequoia Park for camping at the one of the pristine lakes. Each time being there my heart sunk into happiness with the glory of it’s nature.
I remember Cornelia during my college days when I worked in Sequoia and we camped out under the stars at Pear Lake. Just as I was falling asleep, I opened my eyes and standing right above and next to me was a deer. I had trouble sleeping after that!
what a beautiful experience you’ve had, thank you for sharing. I remember seeing from the campground the entire sky filled with all the stars above me, it was so magic to me, I will never forget.
Thanks Joan! Just started back working in the park so I’ll be busy, But I got a new camera and plan on shooting new stuff! How are you and your family?
Wonderful about the camera. You are so talented. I know you will be busy again and can only hope that there will be time for you to take photographs. All is well with me and my family, and we shall be hitting the road again soon. The desert is warming up. Take care of yourself and don’t let the tourists get to you!
I used to go camping for so many years, to Lake Hume, at the end of summer when the crowd has left, such a beautiful lake to swim surrounded by all the grand views.
Impressive photos!!!! I visited Sierra Nevada last september and I went to the three National Parks… And I agree with you, Yosemite is magnificent, but Sequoia and Kings Canyon are perfect for enjoying the nature in a more intimate way, without all those crowds of tourists!! I loved the last two…
Sequoia looks amazing in your photos! If I ever have the opportunity to visit it again, I think I’ll ask you for recommendations of not as well known places!! 🙂
Weather is mild in summer at upper elevations and where the Sequoia’s are. Hot at the foothills of the park. You can stay in the towns of Three Rivers(just outside the park) or in Visalia, 35 miles away. There is plenty of camping in park adn 1 lodge.
37 responses to “Sequoia National Park- A Park Of Extremes”
Engaging set of images that attest to Mother Nature’s majesty.
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really nice.
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Stunning shots of this majestic place. Thank you so much for taking us there, Michael!
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You’re welcome Amy. I didn’t realize until I went thru these images how diverse Sequoia really is!
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Lovely photos. I’ll have to go some day. How long did it take you to hike up and back Mt. McKinley?
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Thanks Katelon. As a backpack trip we took 3 days but as a day hike, we started at 3am and finished around 6pm. 22 miles total with an elevation gain of over 6,000 feet.
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Wow…that is quite a long day of hiking!!!
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Amazing photos! I would like to go there some day. One more on a list that keeps getting longer. 🙂
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Your beautiful images warm up my heart. I have been numerous times at the Sequoia Park for camping at the one of the pristine lakes. Each time being there my heart sunk into happiness with the glory of it’s nature.
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I remember Cornelia during my college days when I worked in Sequoia and we camped out under the stars at Pear Lake. Just as I was falling asleep, I opened my eyes and standing right above and next to me was a deer. I had trouble sleeping after that!
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what a beautiful experience you’ve had, thank you for sharing. I remember seeing from the campground the entire sky filled with all the stars above me, it was so magic to me, I will never forget.
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Lots of awesome nature revealed – thanks very much. Thom
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Stunning photos! They gave me heart flutters.
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Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL photos! I’d like to climb Mt Whitney some time. I hear it’s a bit of a challenge 😉
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Thanks Pam. I’ve climbed Mt Whitney 3 times, the last, which was the toughest, was a 22 mile, 6,000 foot elevation gain day hike!
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In one day? Good lord! Permits only right?
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The hard part is getting the permits for the day hike. It may be easier to get overnight permits.
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I’m not sure I can do the 22 miles today. We did it 10 years ago…
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Thank you, Michael for giving us another chance to view this series. Awesome images!!
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I love seeing sequoias in snow – beautiful!
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I have been thinking of you lately and wondering how you are. Gorgeous photographs, as always!
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Thanks Joan! Just started back working in the park so I’ll be busy, But I got a new camera and plan on shooting new stuff! How are you and your family?
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Wonderful about the camera. You are so talented. I know you will be busy again and can only hope that there will be time for you to take photographs. All is well with me and my family, and we shall be hitting the road again soon. The desert is warming up. Take care of yourself and don’t let the tourists get to you!
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Thanks for the nice words!
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I used to go camping for so many years, to Lake Hume, at the end of summer when the crowd has left, such a beautiful lake to swim surrounded by all the grand views.
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Reblogged this on Vietnam Travel & Trade Portal .
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Impressive photos!!!! I visited Sierra Nevada last september and I went to the three National Parks… And I agree with you, Yosemite is magnificent, but Sequoia and Kings Canyon are perfect for enjoying the nature in a more intimate way, without all those crowds of tourists!! I loved the last two…
Sequoia looks amazing in your photos! If I ever have the opportunity to visit it again, I think I’ll ask you for recommendations of not as well known places!! 🙂
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Thanks Mercedes. There is a slight chance I may go to work at Sequoia this summer for the NPS
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Amazing nature, loved pics with wildlife as well! Hope such places will be there forever! Stay in touch, following your blog!
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I would love to visit Sequoia National Park, and these beautiful photos are giving me serious wanderlust
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You should visit Sequoia, not quite so busy as Yosemite, Grand canyon and Zion
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Great pictures – thanks!
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These photos are spectacular! Your favorite is mine as well, and I also love the blurring of the trees. But they are all amazing.
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Thanks again Camie!!
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BEautiful! What is the weather like in the summers? Do you have any suggestions on where to stay in the area?
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Weather is mild in summer at upper elevations and where the Sequoia’s are. Hot at the foothills of the park. You can stay in the towns of Three Rivers(just outside the park) or in Visalia, 35 miles away. There is plenty of camping in park adn 1 lodge.
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Your photos are incredible!
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