Kings Canyon National Park Report

[austinado16]

Just got back from a 3 day, 2 night trip to King's Canyon National Park, which is located in the Sierra's 55 miles east of Fresno, CA (central CA valley).

King's Canyon and Sequoia National Parks are adjacent to one another and for lack of a better description, sort of run diagonally north and south along a range of mountains in the Sierras.  Because of the size of the parks, and the elevation and mountains involved, they are basically parks within parks, within parks.....not unlike so many others like Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, etc.

We visited Kings Canyon last summer, right on the heels of our first Grand Canyon adventure.  Last summer we camped at the top of the park, about 6,500 feet elevation, in amongst the huge sequoia redwoods.

This year, we ventured deep into the park, another hour's drive, but only 35miles....if that gives you an idea of the type of terrain!  So in at the 4,500' elevation, a beautiful river, and giant cedar groves with towering douglas fir.

Fantastic dry camping, alongside several rivers.  Temps in the mid 70's during the day and low 50's at night.

We took a 9mi (round trip) hike to see "Mist Falls" up inside the canyon.  This is major black bear country, but unfortunately we didn't see a single bear the entire weekend.   Bear lockers at each campsite are huge and must be used.   However, food is safe (per the bear expert ranger I spoke to) inside your fridge because your fridge is sealed.  The Ranger did have some great photos of cars and trucks taken apart by bears in order to get to something as small as a gum wrapper that they'd seen through the window.  In one photo, the bears had removed the plastic lock strip from the front windshield of a VW Vanagon, and were in the process of taking out the surround rubber so they could remove the windshield! For those unfamiliar with automotive glass removal, this is exactly how a professional would do it!!  


On the way out, we took the one hour tour of Boyden Cavern. If you love caves, this one's not to be missed.  At their visitor center they had geods that you could purchase and our DD got to pick one and break it to discover a treasure of white crystals inside.

Our freshly turned 9 yr old DD completed another Jr. Ranger Program and earned her 4th badge and patch.  Very cool program and I love that the NPS engages the kids.

At night it was cold enough that I was able to finally use the Olympian Wave 6 Catalytic Heater that I bought last fall.  What a nice change from the furnace.  Dead silent, instant heat, and set on medium, it kept the camper at 71*F with 52*F outdoor temps.  I've got it set up so there's a 10' flexible rubber propane line kept coiled up and T'd in under the sink.  With a quick coupler at the end, it snaps right onto the heater.  Click the ignitor button, and *poof* heat.  No more draining the battery or listening to the *click-woof-wuuuuur* of the furnace.  This coupled with LED overhead light conversions that I'm ordering this week will really extend the dry camp time with the need for a solar charge setup.

A couple comments on the drive:  The drive down in......that 35mi in an hour.....was twisty, steep and beautiful, but nothing like driving it back out in the heat of the day!!  I kept thinking, "Why aren't there more TT's or any PUP's or 5-er's or MH's down here?  It was mostly tents.  The drive out and watching the transmission temp spike to 235*F answered my question!  Beautiful scenery and we loved every steep mile of it.

A sad comment about the campground though:  People using their car stereos for entertainment, dogs allowed to bark non-stop, and the late night party crowd really ruined what was a fantastic campground.  If it weren't for the trees, I would have thought we were overnighting in the barrio.  With as expensive as camping gear, food, fuel and entrance fees/camp fees are, you'd think these people would just stay home and continue to wreck their own neighborhoods?  Won't keep us from going back though.

[AZsix]

You guys are quite and adventurous bunch. This trip coupled with you GC trip makes for a great summer and there is still plenty of camping to be done. You guys seem to get the most out of your pup and of each other. Your DD is going to have a whole lot to look back on when she gets older. Hopefully someday we can get to camp with you.

[austinado16]

That would be fun to all get together.  I wish we could have spent more time with Mary and her family too.

We'll be back at the Grand Canyon again next year on the first week of August, doing a 4 day, 3 night hike rim-to-rim.  But we'll be there a couple days before and after the actual hike.

This was only our 3rd camp trip this entire year, so we're slackers in that respect.  We try to throw a variety of adventures year round as money and time permit.  A little ocean kayaking, a little hiking, a little backpacking, a little camping, an amusement park every so often......gymnastics competition season starts in a couple weeks, and then my personal favorite; skiing!  Sadly lacking this year has been trips to the lake to ride PWC's, but my motivation has been sorely stung by fuel prices.

[waygard33]

Austinado,
Just wanted to say 'Thanks' for the great trip write-ups you give us. Always a great read. I'm envious.

wg

[austinado16]

Thanks.  I really enjoy reading other's stories too.  Good motivation and it's great to see what's out there all across this great country!

[AZsix]

I really need to have your daughter talk to my kids. I believe that you daughter is 9 which is the same age as my twins. (boy/girl) We do some hiking and after 15 minutes my kids are whining asking if we can turn around and go back or they want to take a rest. I'm 51 and I don't tire as easily as they appear to on hikes. If I suggested to my kids a hike down the Grand Canyon or 9 miles to see a waterfall they would probably have heart attacks on the spot. It's nice that your dd is such a good sport about it.

[austinado16]

We've always tried to put that kid energy to use, keeping her enthusiastic about sports and other outdoor activities.  Started her skiing at 6 (with poles), including riding the chair by herself, gymnastics for 3 years now, and what ever else we can come up with.  We don't live vicariously through her athletics and as long as she's having fun and wants to be doing something (dance, soccer, gymnastics, etc.) we happy to keep her enrolled.  We've never used the phrase, "You can't do that."  So far, so good.

Kids are tough, they have an outstanding muscle to weight ratio, and they have an unlimited amount of energy.  We're just fueling "the machine" and letting it do what it does best!