Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks contain a diverse landscape shaped by powerful rivers and the ongoing growth and erosion of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. One of the world's natural wonders, the Giant Sequoia tree, evolved within a narrow strip of this landscape. However, when the area was first discovered, one third of the original sequoia trees were clear-cut for lumber. Due to the efforts of activists like John Muir, the federal government established Sequoia National Park in 1890 and Kings Canyon National Park in 1940 to protect these forests and wildlife. Today the parks aim to preserve the natural beauty and ecology for future generations to experience.

1. Welcome to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

3. As you can tell, Sequoia and Kings Canyon holds within it one of the most diverse landscapes in our country….

6. Isn’t it amazing how something like a river, that can be so calming, has behind it a force destructive enough to shape mountains…….

7. The Sierra Nevada Mountains are actually still growing as the plates below the east side of the mountains continue to move and collide. Along with this though, rain and winter snows combined with the steep character of the landscape create an environment that includes massive movements of sediment. The mountains are being removed by erosion almost as quickly as they grow

14. Along with these mountains, one of the world’s natural wonders began to evolve from a small section of land. It chose a specific area that was merely 15 miles wide and 260 miles long.

15. It’s known as The Giant Sequoia Tree!

18. When this land was first discovered, it was taken over by loggers, and ultimately 1/3 of the original sequoias were clear-cut…….

20. Even though only 25% of those trees were able to be milled at all, and was so brittle that it usually ended up being used as fenced posts, shingles, and pencils. Because of this detail, loggers began marketing the Sequoia as Coastal Redwood (which was much better lumber). This explains much of the confusion between to two today.

21. It was because of these depressing sights and facts that the people of California and such activists as John Muir protested and managed to catch the ear of the federal government, and ultimately resulted in the country’s 2 nd national park!

22. On September 25 th , 1890 President Benjamin Harrison established Sequoia National Park

23. A week later, Congress established General Grant National Park to protect the Grant Grove area of Sequoias. This area later became part of Kings Canyon National Park on March 4, 1940.

24. Now because of the measure to protect these areas, much of the wildlife that was suppressed by the years of logging has rapidly grown and returned to Sequoia and Kings Canyon

25. The Black Bear

26. The Big Horn Sheep

27. The Bobcat

28. The Coyote

29. The Adult Mountain Lion

30. The Mountain lion family

31. The Raven

32. The Steller’s Jay

33. The long-tailed weasel In Summer In Winter

34. The Sierra Hare In Winter In Summer

35. The Pine Martin In Winter In Summer

37. Take Nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints……

38. And as you venture out into the wilderness of Sequoia and Kings Canyon, think about the words of the late John Muir….

39. “ Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves”