A Symbol of the Fragility of our National Parks

Our national parks have developed a reputation fordistinction of being the deepest canyon in North
several appealing features. Incredible monuments,America.
gorgeous scenery, and intriguing wildlife are but a fewAt 8000 feet from its highest point to the Kings River
of the many attractions of our parks.cutting through its middle, it is deeper than even the
The unspoiled majesty of our national parks is a livingGrand Canyon though it lacks the sheer width that
treasure and it could be difficult to choose one or twomakes the Grand Canyon more impressive.
to visit at any given time. Why not start with two ofThe only way to fully enjoy most of the attractions at
the more popular sites; The General Grant Tree andthe Kings Canyon National Park is by hiking. It is the
Kings Canyon.only mode of transportation that is allowed. Cars will
The General Grant Tree towers over 260 feet abovenever get in your way, so plan on thoroughly enjoying
the Grant Grove, the largest remaining natural Sequoiathe exquisite Zumwalt Meadow and Cedars Grove,
grove in the world. The circumference of its trunk at itstwo of the most appealing attractions found in the
widest is over 90 feet alone.park.
The true size is difficult to imagine but, to put it inOther notable places to visit in the Kings Canyon
perspective, the General Grant Tree is a little shorterNational Park include the Roaring River Falls, a section
than the Statue of Liberty standing on her pedestalof the Kings River that tumbles down the rocky side
and the trunk is bigger than the Oval Office at theof the Kings Canyon.
White House.Big Stump Basin is another location to visit, where
This two thousand year old Sequoia tree also has theremnants of fallen giant Sequoia trees lay dead from
designation of being the third largest Sequoia in thetimber operations from the early 1900's as a reminder
world, the second largest of all our national parks (theof mankind's lasting effects on our environment.
largest found also found in the Sequoia and KingsAll of our national parks teach us valuable lessons.
Canyon National Park but not nearly as picturesque),Both the Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks
and our nation's Christmas Tree.show us how mighty our forests can be - when
The General Grant Tree can be found at the northhumans do not negatively affect them.
entrance of the park along Route 180 leading toIt would be a shame to lose these magnificent trees
Grant's Grove Village.and have our future genteration only read about them
Despite the impressive size of the General Grant Tree,in books. Protecting the environment is a must for all of
the true centerpiece of the Kings Canyon Nationalus today, so that we may sustain nature and beauty
Parks is Kings Canyon. Kings Canyon has thefor as long as we can.