Robert Cross

SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif.--The weirdest sight in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks pops up when cars turn a corner on the Generals Highway and encounter those...

(Sequoia) Established as a national park: Sept. 25, 1890 (Kings Canyon) Established as a national park: March 4, 1940 Area: 864,384 acres. Visitors: 1,351,441 in 1996. Location: East-central California, about...

1. Amphitheater Point. 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...

The tiny seeds that eventually produce these awesome trees resemble the flakes in uncooked oatmeal. It would take 91,000 of them to make a pound. The seeds are held within...

GETTING AROUND Most people depend on their wheels and the limited road system (many sections unplowed in winter). The pavement takes them to the big trees and allows superb views...

1985: (first year available) 1,813,924 1989: 2,093,369 1992: (new counting procedure begins) 1,552,876 1994: 1,761,655 1996: 1,351,441

Established as a national park: July 1, 1941. Area: 52,714. Visitors: 1,989,082 visitors in 1996 (480,177 cave visitations). Location: About 85 miles south of Louisville and 85 miles north of...

1. Frozen Niagara. Stalactites cascade from the cave's vividly-lit ceiling in a wondrous display of limestone erosion and water seepage. 2. Mammoth Dome. One of the more accessible open areas,...