Yosemite and Kings Canyon, California

We spent the better part of the afternoon driving across the state to the famed Yosemite National Park. At the entrance we got some information and then drove out to Bridal Veil Campground, snatching up one of the last first come first serve campsites. Exhausted, we opted to hunker down for the rest of the evening.

Excited to be in Yosemite

Overhang rock

 In the morning we packed up and drove farther into the park to Glacier Point, a scenic view point perched high on a cliff with a beautiful view of the entire valley and the famed half dome mountain.

View from Glacier Point

It's a long way down

Wraparound view from the top!

At 7000 ft the air was really dry and the altitude was starting to get to us so we hopped back into the car and drove down into the valley for lunch. The drive offered spectacular views.

Farther down in the valley

The valley of the park was packed with visitors and we scrounged to find a parking spot. We bought lunch at a grocery store and walked around the little valley town. At this time of the year, most of the waterfalls are dry but we were able to see some from Glacier Point.

Watch out for bridge trolls

Deciding between Tuolumne Meadows and Kings Canyon, we opted for the later and headed south to the neighboring National Park. As we approached Kings Canyon from the highway, we noticed a strange cloud hanging above the usual California haze.

Strange cloud? Forest fire? Nuclear fallout? We weren't sure.

As we made our way up the steep windy canyon road, we were following a water truck from the local fire department. A few miles later, the National Park gate attendant confirmed our suspicions; there was a forest fire in Kings Canyon and the park was closed.

Giant pine cones near General Grant Tree

Disappointed after a three hour drive, we decided to visit General Grant Tree, a small part of Kings Canyon that was still open to the public despite the fire. While walking over we saw Fox News setting up to interview the park staff. The tree was massive apparently the second largest tree in the world.

After a much needed stroll through the forest of giant sequoias we made a short drive to the neighboring Sequoia National Park and bunked down in one of their campgrounds.

Giant Sequoia Trees

The general Grant tree

A much needed walk after a long drive

We woke up the next morning early intending to drive to San Diego. The air was thick with smoke. It tickled in the back of your thought and had a distinct taste.

The ride out of the park was full of 360 switchbacks and jaw dropping cliff side views. The majority of the ride down the cliff side had very low visibility due to the entire canyon filling with forest fire smoke. Luckily it wasn't so thick that I couldn't see the roads.

After the massive crowds at Yosemite, the empty smoke filled park actually made for a very peaceful drive.