Parks 13 and 14: Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks, CA:   We left Death Valley through the breathtaking Emigrant Pass and then snaked our way back down into the desert where John trained in FA-18’s, just north of China Lake Naval Weapons Station.  The terrain changed from barren dessert to rocky rolling hills studded with Joshua trees, before running directly into the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  Out destination was only 50 miles west of our location, but we had to drive an additional 250 miles around the mountain range to enter the parks from the west. 

Joshua tree enroute to Kings Canyon

The scenic drive took us through several ecosystems as we followed the Kern and Kings Rivers through abundant fields, orchards and vineyards until we finally reached Zephyr River Expeditions where the blacktop stopped at our campsite on the Kings River just outside Kings Canyon NP.  When we discovered we were the only campers there that night, a Deliverance flashback hit us, but our river outfitters turned out to be perfect hosts and took us on an exciting 10 mile, 17 rapid whitewater rafting trip the next day!  

Kings River campsite happy hour

We camped two nights then drove into the two National Parks which have been jointly administrated since 1943.  The two contiguous parks are 66 miles long and 36 miles at their widest point, with over 800 miles of wilderness trails!  Our brief visit to the two immense parks consisted of the 30 mile drive along Generals Highway which connects the two parks to see General Grant and General Sherman, the legendary giant sequoias about 2100 years old.  We enjoyed quite walks in both groves in awe of their natural beauty and in appreciation for the men who in 1890 successfully established Kings Canyon to save the trees from lumbering. 

General Sherman sequoia

Odometer: 5,713

Rafting on Bonzai rapid Kings River

General Grant sequoia