Temperatures change quickly in the Sierra Nevadas. It’s important to check weather reports and prepare accordingly. Sometimes there can be a 30-degree temperature difference when ascending from the foothills.
Camping can be fun, but it's important to understand the environment and to treat the land and its animals with respect.
It’s possible to cross creeks in the Sierra Nevadas, but keep in mind that water flow may be stronger at different times of the day.
Sequoia National Park is home to the largest trees in the world. The largest stands at about 275 feet tall and 100 feet wide.
The Sierra Nevadas are home to a wide range of animals. Wild turkeys are common in the foothills, along with black bears, deer, squirrels and even mountain lions.
Icy stalactites are common in the winter season. Sometimes they form on trees and mix with tree sap.
Different seasons bring about different animals. Sometimes little amphibians like this newt walk along hiking trails that are adjacent to rivers.
The Kaweah River is one of the large rivers that run through Sequoia National Park. Hiking trails that run along the river often have sign posts saying “Mortal River.” The river's beauty can be misleading as every year a number of people die from drowning after being swept away by the current. Tread carefully.
A good time to camp in the Sierra Nevadas is right at the beginning of spring. There still may be snow in the mountains, and the wild flowers begin to bloom in the foothills.