Sequoia/Kings Cnyn

Sequoia and Kings Canyon are located adjacent to each other in the central part of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and about 50 miles east of Fresno, California. They are home to the famous Sequoia trees which are some of the largest and oldest trees on earth. Sequoia National Park contains the General Sherman tree which is the largest living thing on the earth. This tree is around 2500 years old and stands 275 feet tall. The trunk has a base diameter of 36.5 feet and weighs an estimated 1,385 tons. Some Sequoias can live up to 3200 years and grow up to 311 feet. Sequoia National Park also contains Mt. Whitney (elevation 14, 492 ft.), which is the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states. Kings Canyon contains the General Grant tree which is the Nations Christmas Tree and the third largest in the world. It is 267 feet tall and has a base diameter of 40.3 feet.