Autumn ride in King and Sequoia Parks

[Brent ST]

Almond harvest is complete for another year so it was time to take a break. During the harvest I dreamed of riding to southern Utah for a week of exploring the many parks in that region, but now I remember all the projects that I planned to complete before the winter rains begin, so the week of riding turned into a two day trip to Kings and Sequoia Parks. On Monday we we made a quick run down the freeway to Madera and then rode Highway 180 to Kings Canyon and on to the end of the road. After a brief walk through the trees at Grant’s Grove, we headed down the General’s Highway where we enjoyed a beautiful display of autumn colors. Our destination for the evening was the Sequoia Village Inn in Three Rivers were we stayed in a cute little cottage for the night. On Tuesday we could see that the clouds were very low in the mountains and the forecast was for cold windy weather in the parks, so we changed plans and made our return ride at a much lower elevation. We had fun on several great roads in the foothills, including Dry Creek drive, Dunlap Road, Elwood road, Trimmer Springs Road, Watts Valley and Burrough Valley Roads, Toll house and Auberry Roads.

On Auberry road we were in a fine mist with the temperature at 38 degrees, at which point my wife informed me that we needed to see if it was warmer at a lower elevation. In the town of Auberry we got some hot chocolate and then headed toward the freeway and a quick run for home. As we pasted Friant Dam the winds begin to pick up, and by the time we got to the intersection with Highway 41 we were being banged around a lot by the wind. Being around a lot of cars on the freeway when the wind is blowing is not fun, so we decide to take a right on Highway 41 and go back up in the hills toward Oakhurst. As soon as we started up the hills, the wind calmed down and we had a pleasant ride up 49 to Coulterville and then home. The last few miles were pretty rough too, as we got to the Turlock lake area the winds were howling pretty hard making it a more than exciting finish to the ride.
Attachment 103273

[Brent ST]

A Few more pictures

[Brent ST]

And finally, these.

Thanks for looking
Brent

[Road Hog]

Great shots. Did you all have heated gear on?

[Thumbuster]

Nice colors.

It's been a while since I've been up that way, but never on my bike. Going to have to plan a ride next spring perhaps. Thanks for sharing.

[Ally House]

Very nice post, and what a way to celebrate the harvest!

[Girl O' Flight]

Beautiful shots, Brent! I especially love the colors in the pic with the church steeple! Really gorgeous!! And of course the picture of the horses!! Leaves turned a few weeks ago here when we went to Panguitch Lake and Escalante/Grand Staircase and it snowed in the mountains and even in Cedar City a couple days ago, so you were wise not to come here this week! It's been a very early winter, so far!!

Loved your post. I have always wanted to see the giant trees in person!

[ninja_o]

beautifull pics thanks for sharing ..
+1 on the colorful tree, the fall colors are just beautiful.

btw, is that the general sherman tree in the pic?
somehow pics don't do justice to these magnificent trees ..
I was at big trees week ago and it's so fascinating every time I see them. You never get bored looking at them.

[Brent ST]

Thanks for all the nice comments! Here’s some answers to the questions.
Scott: no heated gear, but for my wife that might change. I have ridden many times in below freezing temperatures, and if I’m dressed right, I rather enjoy the crisp air. Nancy, on the other hand starts to get chilled and adding another layer of insulation doesn’t seem to be enough.
Suzi: We haven’t given up on a trip to the canyons of Southern Utah, we hope to do that ride in the spring as soon as the weather will allow it.
Shahid: The largest tree in these pictures is the General Grant tree, it was getting late by the time we passed the general Sherman tree, a larger tree still, so we didn’t stop. Maybe next time.
Suzi and Shahid: The trees must be experienced in person, a picture is only a taste of the overwhelming feeling of being in the presence of something so large and so old. Nancy and I have visited many of the groves of large trees, in the coast ranges and in the Sierras, and it is always a wonderful experience seeing something so magnificent. I notice that when we are in the groves of giants that we talk in quiet voices because it seems that we should be reverent in the presence of such majestic trees.

Brent

[ninja_o]

+1,
it is a spiritual experience every time