Archive for the ‘Sequoia’ Tag
California’s Case Mountain is home to some of the largest trees on earth! Located about 7.5 miles southeast of the town of Three Rivers, California, Case Mountain was established to protect the giant sequoias. Comparable in size to a 26-story building, sequoias not only loom over their mixed conifer forest neighbors, but they also outlive them – reaching over 3,000 years. Photo by Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 4/28/17.
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Zion National Park’s reddish rocks wear a coat of snow in this serene winter photo from last January. After winter storms, snow can disappear within just a few hours at lower elevations, making these magical sights short-lived. If you’re visiting, be sure to check with the park for the most recent conditions and closures. Photo by Sierra Coon, National Park Service. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 1/19/17.
A gorgeous frosty morning at Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. Photo by Michelle Olmstead. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 1/24/17.
A wintry sunset over Lake McDonald in Montana’s Glacier National Park. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 1/24/17.
Snowy trees and an open meadow in Sequoia National Park. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 1/15/17.
Explore a winter wonderland: Soda Butte Creek at Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Andrew Slaton. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 1/19/17.
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If you have not walked among the giant sequoias, then you have not experienced one of the unique and wonderful experiences in California. Three quick facts:
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Sequoiadendron giganteum trees have been found to be 3,500 years old by counting their rings.
- Sequoia trees are the largest living things, growing to an average height of 164 – 279 feet and 20 – 26 feet in diameter. Record trees reach over 300′ in height.
- Mature trees are estimated to have 11,000 cones at any one time, and are thought to distribute 300,000+ seeds each year. In spite of that, the trees occur naturally only in groves on the western slopes of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Giant sequoia trees in the Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Parks. Photo by Tiffany Nguyen. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 10/19/15.
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Kings Canyon National Park
Sequoia National Park
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California’s Lassen National Park. Photo by Abhilash Itharaju. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 3/16/16.
Only one word can describe this picture, taken from Tunnel View at Yosemite National Park: Epic! Photo by Xiaochen Zhang. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 3/22/16.
Sunrise from California’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area at Kirby Cove. Photo by Aron Cooperman. Tweeeted by the US Department of the Interior, 2/22/16.
General Sherman giant sequoia tree, SEQUOIADENDRON GIGANTEUM; largest tree in world in volume, In the heart of California’s Sierra Nevada is one of the most awe-inspiring sights: The giant sequoia groves in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. These towering trees are some of the world’s largest (by volume). They are as tall as an average 26-story building, and their bases can exceed the width of many city streets. Photo by Ed Cooper. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 2/21/16.
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The giant sequoia naturally occurs only on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. One more reason you have to visit California!
The giant sequoia is the largest living thing by volume: nothing can match the immense size of a sequoia.
The tree is naturally resistant to fire: even when a sequoia catches on fire (generally due to a lightning strike), the natural tannin in the wood will cause the fire to burn itself out.
Though logging was tried in the 1800s, it was found that when the sequoias fell, the wood often shattered, leaving only small pieces as harvestable lumber. Eventually, logging stopped because it just wasn’t worth it.
Sequoias are naturally disease resistant as well, and live for hundreds and hundreds of years.
The greatest danger to sequoias, we’ve found, is that these giants sometimes lose their balance … and topple over. Falling down is the biggest cause of sequoia deaths in nature.
Therefore, the sequoias grow in groups. There are 68 naturally occurring groves of sequoia, and as the trees grow together, they interlock their roots. By grouping together, you see, they help to keep each other standing up, facing each day, come what may.
And that’s the lesson: you won’t fall over if you gather in a group and stay firmly rooted.
Together.
The only Sequoia grove complex managed by the Bureau of Land Management is on California’s Case Mountain, approximately 7½ miles southeast of the town of Three Rivers, California. The complex is comprised of six distinct sequoia grove units, which total about 444 acres. Three small groves – which have never been logged – protect majestic trees that are 6-16 feet in diameter! These groves are part of the Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area that has miles of mountain bike, foot and equestrian trails, and endless opportunities to be wowed! Photo by Bob Wick, BLM. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 3/25/16.
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Wikipedia: Sequoiadendron giganteum
YouTube: Species Loss, Precipitation, and Fire in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park
Sequoia National Park
The Congress Trail
The World’s Largest Tree
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The General Sherman Tee is the world’s largest tree in the Sequoia National Park. The photographer used light painting to get this effect in their nighttime shoot. Photo by Christian Loya. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 1/20/16.
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Sequoia National Park
The Congress Trail
Winter In The Sierra
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Photo by Scott Toste. Sequoia National Park. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 6/22/15.
Covering 68,000 acres and extending along 35 miles of coastline in California, King Range National Conservation Area preserves the dramatic meeting of the land and the sea. This remote region is known as California’s Lost Coast and is only accessed by a few back roads. But it’s worth the effort! The Douglas-fir peaks attract hikers, campers and mushroom collectors, while the coast beckons to surfers, anglers, beachcombers and abalone divers. Photos by Bob Wick. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 6/23/15.
Ever see the midnight sun in Alaska? If not, you’re going to want to check out this gorgeous photo of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Gareth Blakemore. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 6/24/15.
Yosemite National Park. Don’t miss the rainbow! Photo by Ece Batchelder. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 6/25/15.
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Snow on a sequoia, somewhere in SEKI … the National Park Service designation for the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Photo by Randy Bumgardner. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 1/3/15.
Grand Canyon: the view from South Rim Historic District.. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 1/5/15.
Grand Canyon: sunset on New Year’s Day 2015 near Lipan Point. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 1/5/15.
Grand Canyon: New Year’s Day sunset from Yavapai Point on the South Rim. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 1/5/15.
Lake Clark National Park. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 1/7/14.
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This beautiful shot is taken “somewhere” in the Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Parks – which are jointly managed and referred to as SEKI in National Park code. The US Department of the Interior tweeted this lovely image on Monday … but didn’t identify where it is specifically, or (as is pretty normal for them) who the photographer is. I’m guessing this is a lake that’s way up high in Sequoia National Park, above the tree line. Do you recognize this area?
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Somewhere in the Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park (In National Park jargon, AKA SEKI). Photo: Steve Gadecki. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 2/22/14.
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