Snowshoeing in Sequoia National Park, Part 2

Mark and me in front of
General Sherman Tree,
The largest tree in the world

The second day at the Parks was dedicated to Sequoias, Sequoias, Sequoias.  Here we were at Sequoia National Park, and we hadn't really seen a Sequoia yet, except briefly during a drive-by.

Like all other tourists, we made our way to the General Sherman tree.  Named after William "Tecumseh" Sherman, the celebrated Civil War general, General Sherman is the largest living tree in the world.  Other trees might be taller, (Coastal Redwoods at 379 feet tall), and other trees might be older (Bristlecone Pines at 4800 years of age), but the Sequoia is the largest by volume.

I'm a pretty weepy person in general, but being reduced to tears by a tree was a  first for me.  It's cheesy to say, but being in the presence of General Sherman, and Giant Sequoias in general, makes you aware that you are in the presence of something larger than oneself, metaphysically, as well as physically .  The atmosphere around General Sherman was hushed.  I got the impression that everyone felt the same way as me.  This is yet another reason why one should visit Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park in winter rather than summer. People seem more worshipful of nature if they are going to go through the trouble of visiting the Sierras in winter.

Being amongst these trees makes you
want to "Preserve and Protect",
much like the National Park Rangers

Right off the manicured trail off General Sherman is a snow-covered 1.5 mile loop called Congress Loop.  Congress Loop has got to be one of my top hikes of all time.   This loop takes you amongst Giant Sequoias named after Congressmen and U.S. states.  In summertime, I can imagine there would be hordes of screaming kids and overweight Americans in shorts lining this path.  However, since it was winter, and the loop was covered with 8 feet of snow, we were left alone a mere 20 feet from the exposed concrete.

As a side note, my other top hikes of all time are: Summiting Mt. Whitney (for it's epic, extreme nature), Discovery Trail in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest (for it's contemplative, desolate landscape), and Lyell Canyon/John Muir Trail in Yosemite National Park (for it's pristine and gentle scenery).  I've also hiked Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, and the Zion Narrows in Zion National Park, to give you an impression of my diverse hiking experience.

Spawn of Sentinel tree,
to be germinated on our patio

Congress Loop Trail takes you among spectacular Giant Sequoias.  I felt filled with protective love for these trees.  The park ranger motto, "Preserve and Protect", really came to life for me while standing beneath these giants. I also felt full of childish glee, tromping through the virgin snow and wasting energy to get nearer to the giant trees.

Mark, contrasting with myself, enjoyed the trees in his own unique way. At the foot of the Sentinel Tree, he absconded with a quartet of little Sequoia pine cones with the intent of germinating them on our patio.

To be continued...