Big trees part 2 - Sequoias. While the redwoods were my first experience with really big trees, the sequoias are truly a completely different experience. First off, they may not be as tall as redwoods, but they are huge! The General Sherman tree is the biggest tree in the world by volume. Standing next to the trunk of a sequoia is like standing next to a mountain, you can't see the whole thing at once- it's just that big. The story behind this largest tree in the world is also really cool. In the late 1800's, the army was sent to be stationed around the tree in order to protect this natural wonder from loggers. After seeing the Sequoias, we experienced our first taste of desert on the way to Death Valley. I saw my first Joshua Tree, which was really cool. To me, it seems like a hybrid between a tree and a cactus. The change in climate in California, from rain forest in the redwoods, rugged hills in sequoia, and finally desert, really shows why California is such a popular destination for nature lovers. On to Death Valley tomorrow. I'll try not to melt!
Pretty big pine cone... from the Sugar Pine
First Sequoia!
Kings Canyon with a veil of smoke
Smoke haze as far as you can see... not very far
The Sherman tree - world largest by volume
Tree hugger
Joshua Trees
Sunset over the southern Sierra
Road out of the Sierra into Death Valley
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