Post-HIke

9/27/14  The day after finishing the loop, we spent some time in Sequoia National Park and visited the General Sherman tree and Crystal Cave.
DSC01249 After getting off the trail the night before, we drove out to Stony Creek and stayed at a small lodge there. We woke to a light rain and snow on the peaks...
After getting off the trail the night before, we drove out to Stony Creek and stayed at a small lodge there. We woke to a light rain and snow on the peaks…
DSC01250 The path starts about 2/3 of the way up the height of the tree. Then you take a long, fairly steep, trail all the way down to the base. General Sherman is the...
The path starts about 2/3 of the way up the height of the tree. Then you take a long, fairly steep, trail all the way down to the base. General Sherman is the…
DSC01253 At the base looking up the General Sherman tree.
At the base looking up the General Sherman tree.
DSC01256 Giant fire scar at the base.
Giant fire scar at the base.
DSC01257 Walking around the base of the General Sherman tree. Those trees in the background that look like toothpicks are actually pretty big trees!
Walking around the base of the General Sherman tree. Those trees in the background that look like toothpicks are actually pretty big trees!
DSC01261 The obligatory tourist photo.
The obligatory tourist photo.
MAH01258 Video looking up the entire 275' height of the General Sherman tree. For best performance, you can view the video on YouTube .
Video looking up the entire 275' height of the General Sherman tree. For best performance, you can view the video on YouTube .
DSC01263 A couple more Giant Sequoia photos as we head back to the car.
A couple more Giant Sequoia photos as we head back to the car.
DSC01264 The Twin Sisters, two Giant Sequoia that fused at the base as they grew. Now it's time for our tour of Crystal Cave.
The Twin Sisters, two Giant Sequoia that fused at the base as they grew. Now it's time for our tour of Crystal Cave.
DSC01269 Crystal Cave is one of the largest publicly accessible marble karst caves in North America. It has been a popular tourist attraction since the 1940's, with...
Crystal Cave is one of the largest publicly accessible marble karst caves in North America. It has been a popular tourist attraction since the 1940's, with…
DSC01276 Amazing stalactite formations. The lighting is all from carefully placed LEDs along the walkway. Otherewise, it would be pitch black.
Amazing stalactite formations. The lighting is all from carefully placed LEDs along the walkway. Otherewise, it would be pitch black.
DSC01277 The stalactites form from calcium oozing through the marble. The stalagmites form from drops hitting the floor and building up over thousands and thousands of...
The stalactites form from calcium oozing through the marble. The stalagmites form from drops hitting the floor and building up over thousands and thousands of…
DSC01281 We wish we could go off the established path and explore the cave.
We wish we could go off the established path and explore the cave.
DSC01282 More amazing formations. We learned a new pnemonic from the guide...
More amazing formations. We learned a new pnemonic from the guide... "stalactites stay tight to the ceiling while stalagmites might reach the ceiling some day".
DSC01285 One of the large rooms in the cave with the
One of the large rooms in the cave with the "Jabba the Hutt" formation.
DSC01287 Another view of the large room.
Another view of the large room.
DSC01291 Marble Hall, the largest room in Crystal Cave and largest of all the caves in Sequoia-Kings Canyon. The lighting makes it very tough to take pictures, but the...
Marble Hall, the largest room in Crystal Cave and largest of all the caves in Sequoia-Kings Canyon. The lighting makes it very tough to take pictures, but the…
MAH01293 360 degree video inside Marble Hall. You can hear our perky guide answering questions about Native American cave dwellers. For best performance, you can view...
360 degree video inside Marble Hall. You can hear our perky guide answering questions about Native American cave dwellers. For best performance, you can view…
DSC01301 One last picture as the tour heads out of the cave. Here the marble is polished to perfection from thousands of years of flowing water. Now it's time to...
One last picture as the tour heads out of the cave. Here the marble is polished to perfection from thousands of years of flowing water. Now it's time to…