Calaveras Big Trees

The inn that I am staying at kind of reminds me of camping minus the tent. I woke up freeszing cold and just wanted to snuggle under the quilt - not wanting to get out of bed. As I laid there - I thought this would be a great morning for a walk/hike through Calaveras Big Trees. So I got up - threw on some shorts and a t-shirt and drove up to the park. It is a little after 6:00 AM. I blasted the heater in the car as it was 53 degrees. I had wished I had thought to bring some pants and a sweatshirt on this trip. I didn't think I would be in the mountain area and need some warmer clothes. I get to the park and I am the only one there. So then I have the great debate with myself. Do I take the civilized path through the woods and look at these magnificiant trees or do I turn around. I was freaking myself out - cause it is never a good idea to hike alone. And this would be even worse cause if something happened noone else was on the trail.

I finally for out of the car and went to the trail head and read the sign about not feeding the bears. So now I am debating again - what if I take the trail and come across a bear. I had already paid my park entrance fee. In the end I decided it was too much of a risk to hike alone. The cold helped with this decision as well. I left and took the drive back to Murphys, climbed back into bed to warm up and took a nap. I decided I would go back later this afternoon when other people should be in the park.

So hours later - I start my quest again. This time there are several cars in the parking lot - so I feel safer taking the trail. It is only a mile and a half and if something happened there would be people close by. So I headed down the north trail.

The first stop along the path is called big stump. This was actually interesting. They use to have dances on this stump.

I love the Giant Sequoia trees. They are so beautiful and majestic. I didn't keep track of every three that I saw and what they were called. But I took many pictures of these amazing giants. Enjoy!