Kings Canyon

National Park(s),

California

Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park (OFFICIAL WEBSITE) are indeed two separate parks with distinct boundaries, but they are adjacent, share the same distinguishing features (the world's largest trees), and they are operated as a single entity by the National Park Service. Established in 1840, a portion of this park was the country's second national park (behind Yellowstone) and was originally called General Grant National Park. "General Grant" not only refers to the Civil War general and 18th president, but also to a massive tree found in the park. General Grant is the world's third largest tree by volume, over 40 feet across at its base. The General Grant Tree is the only living thing that Congress has designated as a national shrine. The world's largest tree, "General Sherman" is located in Giant Forest, a grove in Sequoia N.P. Although the tallest California coast redwoods are over 50 feet taller than the tallest Giant Sequoia... Sequoias have thick, massive trunks with just a few muscular branches up to eight feet thick. They are resistant to insect damage, they survive lightning strikes and they're not even fazed by forest fires. They never die of old age. Most die by simply falling over. Like the Grand Canyon and Yosemite Valley, no photograph gives a Giant Sequoia tree its just due. It must be seen and personally experienced to be fully appreciated. When you ponder the fact that some of these trees have been standing for over three thousand years, your experience could be truly spiritual.