Fairytale Forest: Sequoias and Redwoods

Ever wonder the difference between a Redwood tree and a Sequoia tree?

We have been out West for 4 years, and until you actively go to see the Sequoia trees in their patches along the Sierra Nevada, you never fully understand their difference from Redwoods (besides on is thicker, one is taller). Luckily, within one week, we found ourselves immerse at the altitudes of the sequoias and within the valleys of the coastal redwoods. While both hold similar qualities that have ensured their survival and dominance, they are so vastly different.

For Sequoia National Park we packed up our hiking boots and snow coats and drove into the high Sierra Nevada. We basked in the sunny entrance to the national park, and quickly climbed altitude. Snow began to line the road just as the Sequoia’s came into view — and they are bigger than you’d imagine. Sure, photos can prepare you, as well as statistics on their circumference. But until you drive past them — that is when your jaw drops. We went to Giant Forest and our first stop was to see General Sherman Tree - the largest living single-stem tree on Planet Earth. Beyond the General, we ventured along the path to other sequoias. Many were gutted by fires, only to continue growing around their wounds. The ones that stopped growing in height, due to death of the upper half, they continue to grow in width. They are like the Goldie-Locks of trees —they grow no where else in the world because the weather in certain altitudes of the Sierra Nevada, in certain conditions, produce the perfect recipe. It was a great one night stay in the heart of the forest with my mother, Jamie, and Boo Radley. As midnight approached, the moon was as bright as the sun, and reflected brilliantly off of the snow cap mountains that surrounded us. It was the most beautiful nighttime stroll, followed by a morning of walking with more Giants. A complete Fairytale.

Chelsea and Aiden came to visit just days after, and we took them to see the busy sites and sounds of San Francisco. Their favorite part was our journey to Muir Woods, and there, just days after Sequoia National Park, we got to visit the coastal redwoods. We went from running around gigantic bases of trees to cramming our necks back to see the tops of the redwoods. We went along Fern Valley Trail, going deeper into the valley, and then upwards along the hill sides. The views and weather were spectacular. It was a perfect week of visitors and nature!