Sequoia and Yosemite

Set off from Three Rivers up into the Sequoia National Park.
 
The first scene we saw was a helicopter with a large bucket of water flying to a nearby forest fire. Most of the day, we saw signs put up about "controlled" fires being carried out and should not be reported.



Entered the park at 9:00 and drove up the “Generals Highway” to Moro Rock where we took a stroll up to the wonderful scenes afforded from there overlooking the Great Western Divide. Followed by an obligatory drive under the “Tunnel Log” and on to the “Auto Log”. But there was more to come.
 
Then back down to the Giant Forest Museum before visiting the largest living thing on earth – “The General Sherman Tree”. Impossible to describe how small one feels alongside this monster.
 
While strolling around we came across a coral of horses, mainly quarter horses but also mules and had the great delight to have the old mountain horseman who owned it, tells us some lovely stories and even do some demonstrations with his old, one time Arizona Champion, mule “Gracie” (lying in the photo), getting her to climb on a stone both forward and backward and lie down on command. He told us a mule working 10 hours a day every day could carry 150lbs but for shorter distances 300lbs. He introduced us to his younger "Nugget" also known as "Butt Nugget" when she “ornery”. Arab mother, a good jumper over logs and “she can run pretty good too”. So glad I got most of his conversation on video. Salt of the earth and like everyone in the USA, as we departed said: “You guys have a wonderful vacation”.
 
It was now 2:00 pm and after a bit of chipmunk feeding,  headed further north but eventually having to leave the Park, head west to Fresno and then back again northeastwards to Yosemite National Park.
 
We had been “gobsmacked” by the views in Sequoia but they were mild in comparison to what awaited us around the area of Yosemite Village. We drove up the mountain to Glacier point (2,199m) and had quite spectacular views of the village 980m directly below our feet. Then a quick drive around the village but it was packed and we decided to head out over the incredible Highway 120 and cross the 3,030 meters high Tioga Pass. That’s more than driving the height of Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze. The scenery is unbelievably beautiful with many alpine like lakes.
 
Eventually at around 6:00 pm arrived at Mono Lake with its mysterious formations, before heading north to South Tahoe Lake where we eventually found a motel and somehow managed to find the strength to go out to dinner. We were in Bonanza Country!

 
A truly fantastic day, even if somewhat busy. Posting this in February, I can’t get Google maps to work out how many miles we drove. The Tioga Pass is closed all winter and so I will have to wait until summer to get a calculation.