Disconnecting from the world is refreshing!
 

It was my first time going up to Sequoia this weekend. It was a great way to avoid the heat, but also a nice chance to get away from everything. Very enjoyable going off the grid with good friends and family this weekend, but it was too short. ~40 of us camped for three nights and saw some 5 black bear cubs, and two deers. One of the deers were grazing 15 feet away from us, which was pretty amazing. It was so fascinating seeing the kids enjoying nature and just having a blast playing, rather than being stuck to ipads and iphones. I loved going back to simpler times just having good food and company! Mosquitos were out with a vengeance and most of us got stung a few times, even after spraying bug spray everywhere! Originally we were planning for a wet camping trip since the forecasts said it was going to be raining, luckily we didn't have any rain, but we were prepared for it.

Went to Moro Rock, which had a great view. Clear skies and no thunderstorms, so there was no worry about being struck by lightning.

Crystal Cave was fascinating to see, but the tour was too short. Half our group too the 5PM tour because our group was too large. Remember to buy your tour tickets online 48 hours in advance, or get to the visitor center at 7AM and be the first to choose your time slots! Wish we had more time in there. If you're ever planning on visiting, I'd suggest taking a later tour, since it's a lot less rushed. You should be able to spend a bit more time enjoying the cave. Oh, walking down to the cave was easy... but your trip up will take a lot of energy fighting the uphill walk and elevation! Take it easy and enjoy the sights! Just beware of pesky mosquito and poison ivy/oak.






Haven't gone through my photos yet, but here's a few quick ones from my phone:


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We're the early birds! Most of us drive Land Cruisers, but there's a few others :P

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This dandelion was HUGE!!! There were so many of them too, which was so cool to see.

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One of the deers just hanging out with us

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Amazing Sequoias

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On the side of the Crystal Cave enterance


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Quick inside cave shots

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One side of Crescent Meadow which was beautiful! So glad I stopped and checked it out.

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One of the views from Moro Rock

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The last stop before going home





So I also bought an America The Beautiful annual pass, and we're planning our next getaways. Anyone have any suggestions on where to go visit? Might try to do one every month or two!

It always amazes me to see rock flow like gently folded linen

I worked there in the Giant Forest area three summers for the Park Service in the late sixties in fire control & as a seasonal ranger. I got to see some of the less enjoyable things that happened to the tourists - car wrecks, deaths from falls, drowning, etc., somebody would chop their hand or foot with an axe or hatchet once a week, people would burn themselves using their camp stoves and lanterns, get lost, etc., etc. But on the whole it was lots of fun. You should have gone up onto Morro Rock just before sunset. The ring tail cats come out then and run all over the rock looking for something to eat. It's totally amazing how sure footed they are. I got to go spelunking in Crystal cave into places the tours don't go. That was very interesting. Bears are OK, but I got called out to Crescent Meadow several times because cars had been damaged by them looking for food. I saw one of the old (not at that time) VW vans with the two swing out doors, a bear had broken the window and peeled the door back trying to get in. I have lots of stories.

Back in the day Mother came face to face with a bear in Kings Canyon and the bear ran away.

We camped at a more remote campground over the 4th holiday for 4 nights. No cell coverage and it was very nice to get away from being "connected". I didn't realize how relaxing it would be. Looking forward to going back. Looks like you had a great trip.