Kings Canyon-Sequoias
 

Can we only do Kings Canyon and still see enough big trees to get plenty of photo opportunities? What are the best photo opportunities there? Which is the best route to get into the park if we are only going to do Kings Canyon? We are coming from and returning to Los Osos...is there a route thru Kings Canyon that continues on thru Sequoia that would be a better way to go or should we go back up the way we came in? Sorry about so many questions...trying to get a feel for how to do this. Thanks, Ellz

Yes, you can. Kings Canyon is an awesome place with trees, rivers, rocks, hairpin turns, everything your photo-heart desires. Waterfalls depending on the season. Can't help you with the route as I was on a bus tour. Take twice as much film as you think you'll need.

We just got back from that area. We found a good article that helped us when we went as far as what to see. http://www.viamagazine.com/top_stori...s_canyon02.asp

I don't know where Los Osos is--we came from Fresno on 180 which is (I think) the only road that goes through Kings Canyon. You can stop at Grant's Grove and see a sequoia grove (which I liked the best of the ones we saw) and then continue on into Kings Canyon. You have to come back up 180 from Kings Canyon to Grants Grove and then turn down the Generals Highway to get to Sequoia. It takes about an hour to get from Grants Grove to either place. The road to Hume Lake goes from 180 to Generals Highway, but is very slow and twisty, so I'm not sure that you would save any time.

As maj mentioned, Grants Grove is quite near the main road into Kings Canyon. If you have time, drive up to Panorama point on the mountain behind Grant Village for a great view. On the return, after you come up out of the canyon, you can exit the mountains through Sequoia park and down to Visalia, but I would allow at least an extra 1.5 hours of driving time plus stops (2 hours to 2 days, depending on interests).

From Los Osos, you just want to go up US101 to Paso Robles, then take hwy 46/41 to Fresno and 180 up into the mountains.

Thank you so much for the help. Getting excited...leaving in a couple weeks. Will post when we get back. Ilovvvvvve California