Tag Archives: giant

Our Sequoia

Before and After Photo

CALIF WILDFIRE:
Bear Fire, North Complex Fire @ Berry Creek, CA

Sequoia Swipe

No this is not Sequoia National Park, nor Giant Sequoia National Monument, although certain historic groves did burn this past summer – inside Mountain Home SF.

This Sequoia here, is the best tree in our front yard.

Some say that older Sequoia trees can withstand fire, but not if the fire burns the crown (tippy top).  Since our tree is young (60+ years old), compared to most Sequoia trees, we’re not too sure if ours will survive. But we have been watering it for months and hoping for a good winter rain w/ snow.

UPDATE DEC 2021

Puff of green started appearing late Spring. However minimal, I still got excited enough to photograph it.

Mostly brown, but green appearing May 2021.
Sequoia Strong
Holding out hope for the Sequoia.

Sequoia toasted

We watered this Sequoia all summer (2021) long and now we have a good rain spell in Autumn heading into Winter, so I am hoping our Sequoia – plus the neighbors 2 Sequoias, can make a serious come back.

SEQUOIA PROGRESS

Will keep posting our growth progress, as soon as I see more green – mid 2022.

No one is sure when these Sequoia trees in the Berry Creek region were established, since these pre-date our knowledge and the county records.

June & Curly may have planted these back in 1950; or maybe Mr. Coe or Sorensen around 1960. Could it have been the Maidu tribe (native Americans) who transplanted seeds from south to north? Doubtful.

califrepublic

14S11 – Sequoia NF

trails to meadow

Big Meadows Road: Sequoia Forest Rd# 14S11

SEPT 2021: Closed due to the KNP Complex Fire

GIANT SEQUOIA: in between Sequoia & Kings Canyon, inside Sequoia NF

Sequoia Meadows

This chunk of National Forest land is perfectly located in between 2 very popular National Parks – Kings Canyon and Sequoia. This primary paved road leads to some great camping, a perfect option for NOT camping inside the crowed National Parks.

Turn east off of Sequoia ‘Generals Highway’ 198, on to the well signed Big Meadow Rd. There is primitive camping all over this area & a few developed campgrounds along this route. Motorhomes be warned: the road narrows to one lane with no “turn outs” or U turn spots for the last 10 miles (on a steep cliff w/ large overhanging rocks)

SEE CAMPING PHOTOS

campIn the first few miles, the dispersed camp sites on the right side have great views & some situated on fairly flat granite slabs, perfect for astronomer campers or adventurous RVs. To the left side of the road is more primitive style campsites in wooded areas. The whole area is also a very popular cross country ski & snowmobiling spot for winter recreation. Hunters also like these camps during hunting season (in September).

horseback

There is a developed Horse Camp on the left side of the road for equestrian campers. This camp is located across from the biggest meadow and may be the first place you notice on this drive.


Buck Rock Campground
(7600′ elevation, 5 spots) & Big Meadows Campground (7600′ elevation, 25 spots) are both family style camps, perfect for those who want picnic tables, plus bathroom nearby. Sorry no flush toilets out here, only pit toilets.

 

Sequoia maps

Buck Rock Fire Lookout Tower @ 8500′ elevation – is located to the north on Forest Rd # 14S02. It’s a great spot for some impressive views – if you aren’t afraid of heights. To reach the tower you must climb several flights of steel steps. This place is worth a stop if planning a sightseeing day.

Big Meadows Guard Station @ 7500′ elevation (also known as Big Meadows Cabin), is located next to the BIG MEADOW and is available for rent on a weekend basis from the NFS. Hiking Jennie Lakes Wilderness and fly fishing Big Meadows Creek are favorite activities to be enjoyed.

Big Meadows Road is long & narrow – 12+ miles. RVs are not recommended beyond the Big Meadow Campground, as the road is one lane in some spots & it skirts a cliff edge. The views are incredible the farther you go & many creeks feed the region.

The narrow, long paved road eventually forks off into several smaller dirt roads back near Horse Corral Meadow. Way back here, the dirt roads lead out to trail heads for backpacking, horse packing or day hiking in Jennie Lakes & Monarch Wilderness. Backcountry access to either Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Park! Have a good map if you plan to venture out this far. Pay attention & don’t get lost.

GPS would be helpful in this area. Some of the smaller of the dirt roads are not even on the NFS maps. Make sure to GPS way-point your favorite camp site, so you can find in next time…. in the dark.

Sequoia National Forest

Sequoia National Forest MAP

nearby services:

Sequoia Groves

see all – Big Meadows in California 

Marvin Pass Trailhead

Redwood Hotels

Sierra Lodges, Sequoia Cabins & California Redwood Inns

alta sierra

Rent a cabin in the redwood forest of the north coast of California, or get a weekend retreat in the Sequoia, deep in the Sierra Nevada. Redwood inns, cottages & yurts can be found in the Central Coast region. Big Sur redwoods & Santa Cruz redwoods. Rustic hostels, historic Sierra lodges, or mountain cabins can be found in the Sierras, from Alta Sierra near Kernville, to Yosemite National Park.

Places to stay overnight in the Redwoods, or close by –

If you seek big lodges made from redwood timbers, those are the historic inns, located all over California. Redwood was harvested in California since 1850, right after gold was discovered and the masses flooded in. State officials have limited harvesting of ancient redwoods in Northern California in 1988. Logging and agricultural farms have already wiped out 96% of redwood forest that once covered California.