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Informationen zum Autor Mike White was raised in the southeast suburbs of Portland, Oregon, in the shadow of Mount Hood (whenever the Pacific Northwest skies cleared enough to allow such things as shadows). As a teenager, Mike began hiking, backpacking, and climbing in the Cascades of Oregon and Washington, and he honed his outdoor skills while attending Seattle Pacific University. After acquiring a B.A. in political science, Mike and his new wife, Robin, relocated to the high desert of Reno, Nevada, from where he discovered the joys of exploring the Sierra Nevada. After leaving his last “real” job, Mike began a full-time writing career. He is the author or coauthor of 19 outdoor guides, including award-winning books Top Trails Lake Tahoe and 50 Classic Hikes in Nevada. Mike also has contributed to Sunset and Backpacker magazines and the Reno Gazette-Journal newspaper. A former community college instructor, Mike is also a popular featured speaker for outdoors groups. Klappentext This guide describes the best sights of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in 64 must-do hikes, including those through the Giant Forest, to picturesque lakes, and to the summit of Mount Whitney. Leseprobe Chapter 1: The Foothills Trail 1: Putnam and Snowslide Canyons Trail Use: Day Hike, Run, Horse Length: 6.8 miles, 3-4 hours Vertical Feet: +2690/-460/±6300 Difficulty: Level 3 Trail Type: Out-and-back Features: Canyon, Stream, Wildflowers, Giant Sequoias, Camping, Great Views, Secluded Facilities: Campground The short journey to Putnam and Snowslide Canyons offers hikers early- and late-season opportunities to enjoy the foothills zone on the western fringe of Sequoia while the higher elevations are buried in snow. Wildflowers offer splashes of color in early spring, and views of Homers Nose and Dennison Mountain are excellent throughout the hiking season. The journey to Putnam Canyon passes through oak woodland, while continuing on to Snowslide Canyon exposes hikers to a mixed coniferous forest, including a small grove of giant sequoias. Best Time With a location in the foothills, the first 2-plus miles of trail to Putnam Canyon can be hiked year-round. Snow may blanket the trail between Putnam Canyon and Snowslide Canyon during the winter months, but the trail should be snow-free from March to December. Finding the Trail Drive CA 198 eastbound from Visalia to the town of Three Rivers and turn right onto South Fork Road, approximately 7 miles west of the Ash Mountain Entrance. Follow South Fork Road for about 9 miles to the end of the pavement, and continue another 3 miles on narrow, dirt road to the South Fork Campground (pit toilets, no water, and no fee). Pass through the campground and leave your vehicle in the small, shady parking area. Logistics In the foothills zone, hikers should be on the lookout for poison oak, ticks, and rattlesnakes. Trail Description [1] The signed Garfield-Hockett Trail begins at the campground access road, a short distance before the parking area. Climb moderately across an oak-dotted hillside amid lush trailside vegetation, including colorful wildflowers and a rather healthy population of poison oak. Enter a side canyon about 1 mile from the trailhead and hop across the first of many small rivulets slicing down the lower slopes of Dennison Mountain. The extra moisture in these diminutive nooks creates a dramatic change in vegetation, as ferns, thimbleberry, maples, nutmegs, alders, dogwoods, and cedars line the shady streambanks. Continue a steady climb through oak woodland to Putnam Canyon. [2] The sound of rushing water out of sight below the trail, coursing down the canyon from Big Spring, will be quite noticeable, but chances are the creek at trail level will be dry following the conclusion of snowmelt. The steep and n...
