Sequoia National Park
Where Nature Wears the Colors of the Spirit…
After 6 months of quarantine and staying home due to Covid-19, we finally decided to take a short road trip to Sequoia National Park. We tried our best to follow protocols and safely social distance and also wear masks on the trails. We booked an Airbnb to be away from the crowd, since at this time it made more sense to stay at a private home.
Where we stayed:
Airbnb: Our place was super cool and funky, with tall ceilings and windows that brought in lots of light and offered a great view of the outdoors. It had two bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a loft, offering plenty of space for large groups. There is a firemen’s pole right in the middle of the house, which kids or even adults would love to play on. The house is right inside the entrance of the park. However, you still need to drive another 30-40 minutes to get to main trails, such as General Sherman or Big Tree Forest. The Airbnb offered an additional benefit. We were able to cook and not eat outside at crowded restaurants. The only time we ate out was when we were driving back and forth from Sequoia. We got sandwiches from Ike's Sandwich Shop. They were so good! Have you tried them yet?
There are many trails that you can take to enjoy the beauty of Sequoia. But, since we were with kids and grandparents, we only went on the main short and paved trails.
The General Sherman: Tree is a sequoia tree, and by volume, it is the largest, known living tree organism. It is a definite must see. There are two separate parking areas, one of which is wheelchair accessible and the other which is for the general public. This is a great way to take elderly family members with you. We parked at the general parking area and walked to General Sherman, which is a downhill walk. From there, the kids and grandparents stayed by the wheelchair accessible parking and my husband and I went back to get the car and pick them up.
The Big Tree Trail: is a short 1.2 mile walk that is paved and family-friendly.
The Congress Trail: is another short walk/hike. It's an easy 2 mile, paved loop. I highly recommend this one. It has many cool trees and is a fun area for kids to explore. The start of the hike is by the General Sherman Tree. Given the massive size of the trees, the entire walk is shaded. Even at temperatures that reached close to 95 F, the walk was comfortable.
Moro Rock: is a rock that has 350 steps made out of concrete and stone. The steps are narrow and steep, and in some areas there is only room for one person to go up. And a word of warning, there are no trees and no shade on this route. The view from the top is amazing, but if you are not in great shape and/or have a medical condition, it might not be the best option.
