Friday, April 12, 2013

K is for Kings Canyon National Park


Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park are often lumped together as one. They are instead, two separate parks that have different features. Both of them are overshadowed by the more well-known Yosemite National Park.  


We have spent years in all three parks. I can’t find my current pictures of Kings Canyon but I did find pictures of a vacation we took in 1960. We camped in Kings Canyon National General Grant Grove with my aunt, uncle, and cousins. This campground is no longer there. Traces of civilization have been removed from the park in order to preserve the forest.

Uncle Howard, Billy, Aunt Anne, my mom Ruby and dad Ernie in the back row. Stuart, Gary, Me, my brother Marlin, and Patty in the front row.

I am not always a fan of progress. However, in order to preserve the grove, I do applaud the removal of all the commercial sites. We are, and have always been, responsible campers but just the traffic that used to run through the groves hurts the ecological systems. The park has more than 500 Native American archeological sites

Even with the changes, Kings Canyon is spectacular. The General Grant Grove, only a small part of the park, is part of one of the largest remaining grove of giant Sequoias. Sequoia National Park shares these giants.

My dad and I in front of the General Giant.

The rest of Kings Canyon is just what it says. A canyon carved out by glaciers. It is similar to Yosemite but is not as accessible. Truly a magnificent sight, it is preserved as it was. Visitors can visit Boyden Cave that has tours of this geological site with stalactites, stalagmites and a subterranean stream. There is also a bat grotto   

I recommend this park and Sequoia to anyone who has not been there. Before going, check the website. As of today, some of the roads in are still closed until the snow melts. 

Various camping photos from that trip. 

Me, my brother and Patty.


Patty and I touring the forest.

My uncle and dad. The car is a 1958 Opal Kadett Station Wagon that I got for my 16th birthday several years later.
 
Sort of posed. The boys were being silly as usual.

8 comments:

  1. Wonderful pictures of a wonderful place!

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  2. I've never been to Kings Canyon, but spent plenty of time in Sequoia and Yosemite! We have those pictures of us in front of a gigantic majestic Sequoia! Beautiful!

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  3. I'm glad you posted these older photos, Ann. Reminds me of when we used to visit Yosemite when I was little:)

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  4. I like the older B&W photos better. We camped there at Sequoia, near a raging river in June one time. It had snowed a week before and it was one cold camping trip. The sun and the warm weather finally showed up, the last day.

    Kings canyon is gorgeous.

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  5. Great pictures! New follower here. I'm stopping by from the "A to Z" challenge and I look forward to visiting again.

    Sylvia
    http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/

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  6. After my own heart, you are Ann. A camping quilter!!! Love it. We are a camping family too....at one time a 'Roughin'It' kind of camper. Loved seeing your photos. Sequoia National Park is on my Bucket List.

    So nice to meet another quilter...thanks for stopping by for my AtoZ Stories. I'm a new follower of yours and look forward to more camping and quilting.

    Sue CollectInTexasGal
    AtoZ LoneStar Quilting Bee

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  7. Only been to Kings Canyon twice, but it is one of my favorite parks. Your photos from the 60s are priceless!

    Take 25 to Hollister
    Don't be a Hippie

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  8. Hi Ann. I've never been to Kings Canyon, and by the looks of it I've missed out on some wilderness fun. Not too late ... love the picture of your dad in front of General Giant. What an amazing sight that must've been.
    Silvia @ Silvia Writes

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