Livin' Large (Sequoia National Park Post)

Sequoia National Park, See history and science of the Sequoia trees within the Kings Canyon Post. 

The General Sherman Tree is the world's largest tree by volume.  It has a height on 275 feet, and a diameter of 34 feet.  It is estimated to have a volume of 52,508 cubic feet, and to be between 2300 to 2700 years old. The top of the tree is dead, but that doesn't stop it from growing.  Every year, the tree produces enough wood for a very large tree of other species.

At a viewpoint along the trail, you can take a picture of the tree from top to bottom.  

Looking up for a six foot human is the equivalent of a mouse looking up at a six foot human.  

To show the width of the tree

Moro Rock is a 300 foot change in elevation over four tenths of a mile, which is taken in over 375 stairs.  From the top the view is really neat, and even see down onto the road we would later take to get out of the park!  The road happened to be a road filled with switchbacks, which vehicles over 22 feet were not advised.  Harvey is 24 feet!  Dad of course went for it. We need to thank Bill for the recommendation of Moro Rock, because my Dad says that otherwise we wouldn't have known take this "hike."

Family portrait at the summit

From a turnout: you could see the stairs to top.

Moro Rock from the road out of the Park

We had planned to stay at a reservoir near the exit of the park, but as evidence to the three year drought that is occurring here, the water level was incredibly low, and as a result of the near 100 degree heat, we moved on toward San Francisco in hopes of cooler temperatures.

The sun over the road

Driving out in the morning!

Ciao!
Amy