The Giant Sequoia trees of California are a site to see. Despite
heavy logging efforts, you can still hike through these massive
trees on the Boole Tree Loop.
Giant Sequoia National Monument
The park system in central California is incredible. You have
Sequoia National Park, the first national park ever designated
in the country. Next to it is King Canyon National Park, created
in 1940. Surrounding a good portion of these two is the new
Giant Sequoia National Monument, designated such by President
Clinton in 2000. The three parks form a sanctuary for incredible
scenery, including the Giant Sequoias on the Boole Tree Loop
hiking trail.
Although directions are included below, I have to mention the
drive to Boole Tree is incredible. As you drive through Stump
Meadow, you will see some of the biggest stumps in the world and
get a real feel for what has been destroyed. The biggest is the
Chicago Stump measuring 70 FEET around its perimeter. Sadly, the
tree was cut down so it could be displayed in a museum in
Chicago in the 1880s when such trees seemed plentiful.
The Boole Tree Loop is only 2.5 miles, but will take a couple of
hours since you'll be staring up in the air like an idiot and
looking at some incredible views. Since it is a loop, you can go
either direction you wish. The first part of the trail will wind
through at least 40 Giant Sequoia stumps that will boggle your
mind with their size. Passing these, you'll head up to a plateau
where you can look down upon valleys in the canyon with Spanish
Mountain in the distance. Regardless of which way you go, you'll
eventually come upon Boole Tree.
Boole Tree is big, but not as big as many of the stumps you'll
see. Boole Tree stands roughly 275 feet high with a perimeter of
some 35 feet. It is estimated to be over 2,000 years old and is
one of the biggest living trees in the world. Ironically, the
tree is named after a lumber mill owner that spared it. To bad
he wasn't feeling as gracious with the other Giant Sequoias as
all the stumps attest.
The Giant Sequoia National Monument is roughly an hour east of
Fresno, California. Highway 180 is the most used entrance to the
park from the west coast. Upon entering the park, you'll pass
through a ranger station. Drive north from there and hand a left
at Grant Grove after traveling just over a mile. Continue until
you hit Grant Grove Village. Just after it, you'll see sign for
Stump Meadow. Take a left and start driving. After a couple of
miles, you'll see a parking lot with a sign.
If you're coming from Los Angeles, the drive will take five
hours as will driving from San Francisco. Of course, drive times
are dependent on traffic conditions in both cities.
Taking a hike through the Giant Sequoia National Monument is
tremendous. It will give you a perspective of Mother Nature that
few see.
More Information:Rick Chapo is with
www.NomadJournals.com - makers of diary and writing journals. Visit
www.NomadJournalTrips.com to read more articles about national parks and the great outdoors.
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