We traveled back into Sequoia National Park yesterday with a goal to do some hiking in the woods. Should I say forest? Of giant sequoia trees. We were told that if we go to the Crescent Meadows area, our chances of seeing bears feeding on the grasses would be good.
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| Tunnel Rock |
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| Moro Rock looming up on left |
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| Sequoias guarding the entrance to Giant Forest area |
As we entered the park we saw the towing Sierra Nevada mountains loom above us. And Moro Rock which is huge granite boulder left over from a mountain that we could go hike to the top. Beautiful clear day, we left Three Rivers with 64 degrees and knew we would be heading up to about 7000 feet in the meadows. Came along Tunnel Rock, a quick stop touristy area, continued on into and climbing up into the park. Past the Soldiers who guard the entrance into the Giant Forest. Took the turn off into Crescent Meadows and were the only people there except the ranger who was cleaning the bathrooms. Donned an outer shirt (was in low 50's) and packed our food and water onto our fanny packs and off we went. I had hopes of seeing bears, but by the time we entered into the meadow - none.
Had to drive through a fallen sequoia - to see the car under it is quite impressive to see the bigness of the trees.
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| Big tree! |
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| Evidence of bears |
Along the way we went, felt the coolness of the meadow, saw melting snow and trickling of water runoff. Heard the birds singing. Funny part is you don't smell the fir (Pine) trees. The path was paved, gently sloping. No bears so we jumped onto the Tharp's Log trail and came to another meadow. Coming at us at good speed was a Mom/Dad/teenage daughter with their eyes bugged out - they said there was a bear ahead feeding but they were too scared to get any closer so turned around. Hindsight - we should have said to them - come with us - the bears won't bother you - all they want to do is eat grass to get their body weights back up. They loose about 30% of their weight during winter hibernation so they are scrambling to get their body stores back up.
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| Gentle well marked paths to follow |
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| Da Bear! |
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| Could care less about us |
Had to drive through a fallen sequoia - to see the car under it is quite impressive to see the bigness of the trees.
Saw the bear, took lots of pictures and continued on to Tharp's Log. Someone by the name of Tharp lived there (amazing!). On we walked, up and down in the forest, making sure the bear stayed back. Came across an area that looked recently burnt, amazing that the sequoias can withstand fires and survive.
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| Tharp's Log Home |
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| Pretty cozy |
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| Fireplace, window, door - what more could you ask for? |
By the time we got back to the car we had walked over 3 miles. Tired, but glad I can begin to do the distances like I used to do. As long as there are no steps and gentle fairly flat path, I am good.
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| Evidence of fires |
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| That huge tree has such a small nut (see my foot for size comparison?) |
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| They can be a nursery log for new growth |
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| Looked inside - maybe a bear den in the winter? |
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