Joe and I had a few days off for the 4th of July, so we packed the truck and headed out for a road trip to Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Park! Our energy meters are filled to the brim as this trip had all our favorite things — physical activity, getting away from the city, and beautiful scenery in the great outdoors. We were also excited to experience a new place — after living in California for 7 years and crossing almost every item off my bucket list, it’s especially energizing to experience something new.
Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park are pretty much synonymous with each other. I have to say, this park was a true gem. There were fewer crowds than Yosemite, and the scenery was (almost as) impeccable. It felt like we stumbled upon this wonderful secret. If you’re visiting California and can only choose one park, I do think Yosemite is a must-do as the scenery is on a superior level. But if you’re looking for something different and off the beaten path – Sequoia National Park is the gem of California!
We stayed in a homestay at a winery an hour away from the park. We planned this trip somewhat last minute, and so the accommodations inside the park were full. It was nice to stay outside the park as we had the conveniences of the nearby small farming town as well as a gorgeous property to come home to every day.
We spent three days in the park. On the first day, we started off with the more popular hikes near the entrance of Kings Canyon. There were plenty of paved paths at Grants Grove as we saw some of the oldest Sequoia trees in the world. It was pretty incredible to be in the presence of trees over 1,500 years old.
We drove up to Panoramic Point Overlook for a short hike. This was one of the highest points of the park, and the views of the valley were stunning. The pine trees spread across the dry, rocky mountains reminded me of a combination of Lake Tahoe and the Himayalans mountains in Northern India.
Had to show off my guns. 😉
The next day, we drove further into the park for more variety. To contrast yesterday’s higher viewpoints, we drove into the valley today. This was incredibly unique and one of my favorite parts of the trip. I loved winding through the rocky terrain and pulling over whenever we wanted. Trips like these make me so grateful for our large and comfortable pickup truck. 🙂
Then, we made it to the Zumwalt Meadows Trailhead where we went on our longest hike of the trip. It was 4.5-mile roundtrip hike along the beautiful river in the valley. I absolutely loved this hike as we got towering views of the rocky cliffs above – this reminded me of Yosemite. We happened to visit during a heat wave, so we took plenty of breaks and stayed hydrated. Joe and I agreed this hike was another highlight of the trip!
The hike brought us to Roaring Rivers Waterfall. It was a modest waterfall and the perfect spot for a break.
After an exhausting hike, we decided to take it easy on the third day. We visited Hume Lake for some lake time and relaxation. The lake was absolutely beautiful – it felt like a mini version of Lake Tahoe. The views were unbeatable, but I have to say, the vibe was slightly overwhelmed with a flood of kids as there was a Christian camp taking place. 😛
Nevertheless, we had a lovely time sitting by the lake, picnicking, and enjoying our final moments in the park.
I’m coming home with that feeling of overjoy after doing all your favorite things. I’m so glad we made this trip happen and experienced something new together. ❤
I Run Like A Girl 