While Steve and I had seen the sequoia trees on a visit many years ago, it was all new to Norah. We couldn’t leave Sequoia National Park without seeing the sequoias! We finished our hike around lunchtime and after lunch on the patio at Wuksachi Lodge, we had the afternoon to explore the groves. We started with the Giant Forest grove, home to General Sherman. Measured by volume, General Sherman is the world’s largest living tree - it is 275 feet tall and over 36 feet in diameter at its base. But really all the sequoias here are impressive - such amazing trees. There are various trails that crisscross this grove and exhibits that provide information about the trees. Accordingly, this area of the park was very busy. After seven days of solitude in the backcountry, it was a little bit of a shock to the system!

We had previously reserved a campsite at Sunset Campground in the northern section of the park and made the drive in the late afternoon (construction caused some delays). After setting up camp, getting organized, and eating dinner, we went to nearby Grant Grove to see the sequoias there. Visiting in the early evening was a good call - there were only a few other people there and we had a nice time wandering around the grove. The largest tree here is General Grant and there is also a downed sequoia where you can walk through the trunk.

It seemed appropriate to watch sunset from Sunset Campground and we had a nice evening. Steve was up early the next morning to go to Panorama Point for sunrise and afterwards we packed up and were on our way. It was a wonderful week in Sequoia National Park!