On the road up, this spot offers the first sweeping view of the Sierras and their foothills.
2. Giant Forest.
In the village here, fantastic sequoia trunks loom over a hotel, cabins and other facilities–all of which will be banished to a more sensible locale in the coming years. But it does make for a bizarre sight. Farther on, a grove of even bigger giants includes the Gen. Sherman Tree, said to be the largest living thing in the world.
3. Moro Rock.
It beckons on the highway ascent, a smooth granite dome. At the Moro Rock parking lot near the village, a 400-plus-step stairway leads to the summit–altitude 6,725 feet with a view that will seize whatever breath you have left.
4. Auto Log.
Not far from Moro Rock, this fallen tree serves as a reminder of times when the giants served as amusing diversions. People would drive their vehicles onto its broad, flat trunk and take a picture. They still do.
5. Tunnel Log.
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Another fallen tree, this one with an arch carved out of its middle, serves as an overpass high enough for cars to pass under. Amusing, no?
6. Redwood Mountain Overlook.
Here visitors get an overhead view of Redwood Canyon and the largest sequoia groves. Four trails of 2 to 10 miles round trip allow closer inspection of the trees and some fine mountain views.
7. Kings Canyon Overlook.
Another sweeping panorama illustrates the sheer size and absolute wilderness of this stretch of the Sierras.
8. Grant Grove.
The star sequoia cluster in Kings Canyon National Park invites strolls through another majestic collection.
9. Cedar Grove.
This is as deep and far into Kings Canyon as California Highway 180 goes, and no one who visits ever forgets the sight of it.
10. Crystal Cave.
One of 200 caves in the parks and the most accessible, Crystal features dramatic formations of limestone metamorphosed into marble.