SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST
BIG BLEND RADIO: Forest ranger Denise Alonzo shares what there is to experience in Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument in Central California. Watch here in the YouTube player or download/listen to the podcast on Spreaker, PodBean, or SoundCloud.
Featuring 33 groves of Giant Sequoia Trees (the world’s largest tree), the Sequoia National Forest is home to the biggest concentration of giant sequoia groves. These groves are protected within the Giant Sequoia National Monument, and managed by the US Forest Service.
Established in April 2000, and located between Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, the Giant Sequoia National Monument encompasses over 353,000 acres of diverse landscape that includes two wild and scenic rivers, lakes, and six wilderness areas. Along with the magnificent giant sequoias, the area boasts lush forest meadows and a myriad of plant, bird and animal species. There are limestone caverns to explore and granite domes and spires to see, along with archaeological sites. The activities are endless and include hiking and camping, mountain biking, horse riding, bird and wildlife watching, fishing, white water rafting, downhill snow skiing and snow shoeing.
When it comes to viewing the giant sequoias, some of the more popular and easy-to-reach groves and trees include the Converse Basin Grove which is home to the Boole Tree – the largest giant sequoia in the US National Forest System, the Belknap Grove of trees with hiking trails along the Tule River, the Trail of 100 Giants in the Long Meadow Grove, and the George Bush Tree on the Bush Loop Trail in the Freeman Creek Grove.
There’s nothing like viewing these spectacular trees, breathing in the fresh mountain air, and watching butterflies dance across the flower-filled meadows while listening to the chirping of the birds. This is a special place to get your nature fix!
For more information call (559) 784-1500 or visit www.FS.USDA.gov/sequoia.
