Snow in California! A Land of Giants Huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees exemplify the diversity of landscapes, life, and beauty here. Explore these pages to learn about the plants and animals here and the threats they face. Our ancient giant sequoias may seem invincible, but they, too are vulnerable.

Snow in California! Welcome to the Land of Giants! The pandemic and last year's KNP Complex Wildfire led to unprecedented changes that affected how people visited the parks. Today, nearly all wilderness areas, facilities, and exhibits have reopened, and shuttle services have resumed. No reservations are required to enter these parks. Wherever you decide to visit, you'll experience one of the finest and wildest areas of the Sierra Nevada mountain range! As you travel along the Generals Highway from the foothills of Sequoia to the timber of Grant Grove, you’ll travel through many areas that burned. Some areas were untouched by fire, others appear charred with many dead standing trees, while others sprout with new growth as the landscape recovers. Cedar Grove was the only area that did not experience fire last year. Check our Current Conditions page for more information to help you plan your trip.

Snow in California! Winter Driving & Tire Chains A snowplow drives along a snowy road Snow on the Generals Highway Kirke Wrench Tow Trucks Do Not Generally Enter the Parks During Active Winter Storms and Tow Services Can Be Very Expensive The National Park Service does not tow or repair vehicles. During active winter storms, tow trucks do not generally enter the parks. Vehicles that slide off of roads, vehicles stuck in snow, and disabled vehicles may have to wait until a day or more after a winter storm ends before stuck vehicles can be extracted or broken down vehicles get assistance. Towing services during winter storms in the parks can be very expensive. If a winter storm is in the forecast when you are planning a visit, consider changing your plans to visit the parks at a different time. The parks are beautiful in winter, but be prepared for snowy or icy mountain roads. Tire chains or cables are often required on park roads from fall through spring, but they might be needed at any time of the year if snow falls. During fall through spring, we recommend that you carry chains or cables in your car, regardless of conditions. Weather and road conditions can change rapidly, often multiple times per day. Get up-to-date information before heading to the parks, but remember that conditions and chain requirements may change by the time you arrive: For 24-hour in-park road conditions, call (559) 565-3341 (then press 1, then 1 again). Check current weather forecasts and park conditions prior to your visit. For information about roads outside the park, visit the Caltrans website or call (800) 427-7623. Tire Chains and Cables When road conditions deteriorate, the parks will activate chain control zones on park roads. This can occur at any time, but is most common in November through March. State law requires ALL vehicles (including 4-wheel and all-wheel drive) to carry tire chains or cables when entering chain-control zones (CA Vehicle Code, Section 605, Sections 27450-27503). All vehicles must have chains or cables that fit properly and are in good repair. When you drive with chains, the maximum speed limit is 25 MPH, even if posted otherwise. If you do not have chains or cables, plan on renting or buying them before entering the parks. Road conditions and chain requirements can change rapidly; for example, you may not need chains when you enter the park but they may be required by the time you leave. Chain Control Designations All vehicles, including those with four-wheel and all-wheel drive, must carry chains or cables in chain control zones. R1: Vehicle must have snow tires OR use tire chains. Snow tires must have an imprint on the tire's sidewall that shows M + S, M / S, or an image of a snowflake. They also must have a tread depth of at least 6/32 of an inch. R2: Vehicle must have snow tires. Also, four-wheel drive OR all-wheel drive must be engaged, OR chains must be used. Four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicles must have snow tires on all four wheels and must engage all wheels. R3: Vehicle must have snow tires. Also, four-wheel drive OR all-wheel drive must be engaged AND chains MUST ALSO be used. There are no exceptions. Putting on Chains Watch our short Snow Chains and Cables video for information about when to use them. Signs along the road will indicate where you need to put them on when they are required; pull all the way off the road. Put them on the front tires of front-wheel-drive vehicles, and on the back tires of rear-wheel-drive vehicles. Some Car Rental Companies Don't Allow Use of Tire Chains Many car rental contracts do not allow installation of tire chains or cables on their vehicles. Be sure you understand the limitations of your contract. Renting a four-wheel or all-wheel-drive vehicle may save you from having to install chains or cables, even when you must carry them. Renting or Purchasing Tire Chains or Cables Tire, auto parts, and other large stores often carry tire chains or cables. Consider purchasing chains before you arrive so you can practice installing them and ensure they are in working order. You may also choose to rent or purchase chains or cables from businesses near the parks. Rental prices for chains or cables typically range from $40-$65 per day, and purchases from $50-$200. Businesses below are not endorsed by the National Park Service. This list may not include all area businesses and their services (rentals and/or sales) and prices are subject to change at any time. Please contact the businesses directly for more information. Sequoia National Park entrance / Highway 198 / Three Rivers, California Tire chains and cables are advertised as available for purchase and/or for rent at several vendors and shops throughout the town of Three Rivers. Kings Canyon National Park entrance / Highway 180 Yokuts Valley, California (Formerly Squaw Valley, CA) If you are traveling into Kings Canyon National Park via Highway 180, options to rent tire chains are more limited, with the nearest rental location in Dunlap (14 miles outside the park). The nearest location to purchase tire chains is located in Yokuts Valley (21 miles outside the park). If tire chain requirments change while you are in the park, consider purchasing tire chains at Grant Grove Market, located in the park at Grant Grove Village, (559) 335-5500. Note that the market is inside the chain control area and chain size availability is limited. When chain restrictions are in effect, it is not possible to enter the parks and purchase chains at the market. Winter Driving Tips Even if you have chains or four-wheel drive, driving in snow is not easy. Beware of poor visibility and reduced traction. Ensure that your chains fit your tires. Practice installing them before you need them. Reduce your speed. Keep your headlights on for visibility. Allow extra distance between vehicles. Stay well back when following plows. Use low gears, especially when driving downhill. Never stop or park in a traffic lane. Your life may depend on it! If your rear-wheel-drive vehicle skids: Reduce gas and steer where you want to go. If your front-wheel-drive vehicle skids: Accelerate slightly and steer where you want to go. Brake sparingly. Locking your brakes may cause skidding. Drive in the appropriate lane for your direction of travel. Avoid the center line. Pull completely into a chain-up area, pullout, or parking lot to install, adjust, or remove tire chains. Shady areas and bridge surfaces can be treacherously icy even when other sections of roadway are not. Stay alert, use caution, anticipate hazards, and slow down! Driving safely and lawfully is the first step in enjoying your winter activities in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks! Visit the California Department of Transportation's website for road conditions in other areas and more about winter driving.

Snow in California! Winter Drives and Viewpoints A man taking a photograph of a snow covered hillside from a roadside viewpoint. The General's Highway offers great views of the park in winter. Kirk Wrenche Winter is a great time to visit the park, but the weather is often unpredictable. Snow can fall suddenly at any time of year on park roads in higher elevations, accumulate rapidly, and linger for days or weeks. Be prepared with warm clothing, a sleeping bag, water, and emergency food in case you need to wait for the road to be plowed. If you're planning a trip in snowy weather, be prepared for winter road conditions. Tire chains are often required in these parks, and chain advisories can be in effect for days after a storm. You may need to bring chains for your vehicle, even if you have four-wheel or all-wheel drive. Chains are also available for rent or purchase in nearby towns. Check the alerts and conditions page for the latest road conditions. Driving from Sequoia's Ash Mountain Entrance to Lodgepole This route is spectacular but can be unnerving in winter if you're not used to driving in snow. Chains are often required, sometimes even in fall or early summer. The upper part of this drive may close for snow removal at any time. Allow 1.5 hours one-way, plus your time to stop at viewpoints. Features along the way include: Historic Entrance Sign Just a mile past the Foothills Entrance Station, you will find the historic Sequoia National Park Sign installed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935. The Kaweah River to Hospital Rock Pullouts along this stretch of road offer views up and down the Kaweah Canyon as the highway winds up alongside the river's rapids. Hospital Rock Located across from Potwisha Campground, this historic site hosted a Native American Village. Today grinding mortars and pictographs can be found in this vicinity. Though it sometimes snows at this elevation, it's not common for it to stick for more than a few days. Amphitheater Point This notable hairpin turn offers a pullout with waysides and an excellent side view of Moro Rock. Look for the snowy Castle Rocks in the distance. Eleven Range Overlook At this pullout you can find another wayside and a spectacular vista overlooking the Kaweah Canyon toward the San Joaquin Valley. Beetle Rock As you arrive in the Giant Forest a short hike from the Giant Forest Museum takes you to Beetle Rock, a granitic dike offering great views of the valley. Marble Fork Canyon The Generals Highway from Giant Forest to Lodgepole offers dramatic views of the Marble Fork Canyon through the trees. The Giant Forest As you climb out of the Marble Fork Canyon, the road enters a snowy sequoia landscape. Giant Forest Museum is open year-round. The Generals Sherman Tree The trail to the tree is usually accessible year-round, though it may be icy in winter. Views of the Watchtower Once you reach Lodgepole, follow the road to Lodgepole Campground (closed in Winter) for dramatic views of the the Watchtower rising out of Tokopah Valley. If you'd like to spend time outdoors, the base of Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow are accessible only by snowshoe or cross-country ski. Allow several hours to a day if you choose to venture all the way to Crescent Meadow. Driving from Lodgepole to Grant Grove Along this stretch you'll catch snow-filled meadows and peaceful mountain vistas through the trees. On clear days, you can even see all the way to the San Joaquin Valley 6-7,000 feet below. This road between Sequoia and Kings Canyon may close at any time—sometimes for an extended period—to allow for snow removal. Allow 1.5-2 hours one-way plus additional time for side trips and time out of the car. Buena Vista Peak If there is little or no snow, a 1-mile trail leads to great views of Redwood Canyon, Buck Rock Lookout, and the High Sierra. (Allow an extra 2-3 hours) Big Meadows Road This Forest Service road serves as a cross-country ski trail in the winter, giving access to many miles of peaceful sub-alpine country. Kings Canyon Overlook This pull out offers waysides and impressive winter views of the Kings Canyon and High Sierra wilderness. Redwood Mountain Overlook Excellent view overlooking the world's largest sequoia grove. Redwood Mountain Grove If you are properly equipped and adventurous, consider snowshoeing or cross-country skiing into the world's largest grove of giant sequoias. Enjoy the snowy silence among these slumbering giants. Allow several hours, depending on how far you want to stroll under the big trees. Driving from Grant Grove to Hume Lake In winter, take Highway 180 heading north from Grant Grove to get to Hume Lake. The junction with HumeLake Road is six miles from Grant Grove Village. Highway 180 is gated just beyond the junction in winter. These roads may close at any time to allow for snow removal. Hume Lake At the end of this road, you will find a beautiful lake with nice beaches formed by a rare and historic multiple-arch dam. Winter amenities here include a market that's open daily and a snack bar that may be open on weekends. A gas station is open 24-hours and year-round when roads are passable. The area and facilities are maintained by a private camp. Driving from Fresno to the Big Stump Entrance Station and Grant Grove This route is the easiest at any time of year, and especially in winter. Unlike the road curvy road beyond Sequoia's Ash Mountain entrance, the road leading to Kings Canyon National Park is relatively straight. As you enter the park, you'll also enter the Big Stump sequoia grove. Snowplay is available at Big Stump Picnic Area and Columbine Picnic Area.

Snow in California! Things To Do These parks offer a wide range of activities in diverse landscapes in any season. Whether you prefer an short stroll or a week in the wilderness, a quiet sunset or a roaring river, adventure awaits you here. Whatever activities you choose, come prepared. Weather varies widely at different elevations, and storms can happen at any time of year. Read safety information before you visit. Two hikers below giant sequoias Explore Sequoia Groves Whether you see them from your car or hike to a remote grove, giant sequoias inspire awe and wonder. Steps carved into rock and a handrail are pictured right, with mountain viewsheds in left background Climb Moro Rock A stone stairway ends at the top of Moro Rock's granite dome. Enjoy views of the surrounding mountains and wilderness to the east. Red/brown trunk of a large giant sequoia stands out amidst the green foliage of smaller trees. Visit the General Grant Tree You can hike a 1/3-mile (05. km) paved loop trail to see this tree and other named trees in Grant Grove, Kings Canyon National Park. Four visitors stand at wooden fence viewing the General Sherman Tree. Visit the General Sherman Tree The General Sherman Tree is the world's largest tree, measured by volume. Enjoy a short hike to this tree in Giant Forest. A hiker carries a tot in a backpack. Photo by Katie Kenig. Day Hiking Get out and explore! Wander through sequoia groves, look deep into wilderness, or experience wildlife. A stream flows past granite rocks and golden fall color of trees and shrubs. Exploring Soundscapes Learn more about how scientists study park soundscapes to characterize biodiversity. A family group with young children and a stroller travel down a paved path lined with sequoias. Accessibility We offer recreational opportunities suited for a wide range of abilities, including exhibits, walking, camping, and shuttle transportation. A tent site at Lodgepole Campground Camping Learn about camping options throughout the parks. Campgrounds are reservation only and availability is extremely limited in summer months. A picnic table with a shade structure. Photo by Alison Taggart-Barone. Picnicking Look for picnic areas throughout the parks. Protect bears and other wildlife by storing food safely, even while you're eating. A mule deer, standing in a field of grass and flowers, looks at the camera Watching Wildlife Keep yourself and park animals safe with these tips for watching wildlife. Two people at Amphitheater Point. Photo by Kirke Wrench. Drives and Viewpoints Explore our mountain landscapes along the Generals Highway and the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. Exhibits in Giant Forest Museum Visitor Centers Stop by our visitor centers and museums to explore exhibits, get trip-planning information, and shop in our park stores. Two small children sit, enjoying the view. Photo by Tharwa Rabah. Junior Ranger Program Kids of all ages can earn a badge by completing activities in our Junior Ranger book! Ask for a free book at any visitor center. The Sequoia National Park entrance station Avoiding Traffic Congestion Weekends and holidays are busy! Learn how to minimize your wait at park entrance stations. A black bear steps across a rock alongside a manzanita bush. Wildlife Safety Some of our charismatic creatures, such as bears, can pose a danger to visitors. Hikers climb an alpine trail toward Franklin Lakes Overnight Backpacking Experience the solitude and challenge of the Sierra Nevada's wild landscapes.

Snow in California! Tips for Wildlife Sightings Seeing wildlife in a natural setting can be a great experience, as long as you’re careful. When viewing animals in the parks, keep a few things in mind: Familiarize yourself with the animals that live in these parks. Learn what time of day different species are active. Dawn or dusk tend to be good times to see a variety of wildlife. Learn about wildlife habitats. Many animals like to spend time near the edges of a landscape, like where forest trees meet a grassy area. Learn to look for signs such as tracks and scat. Bring binoculars for viewing from a distance. Take a hike or walk and tread quietly. Sit quietly and still. Watch from behind cover (while staying on the trail) or from your car. The best way to view and enjoy a wild animal is from a distance with binoculars. When you come across an animal, sit still, watch from behind cover like a shrub or tree, and enjoy. Never disrupt, approach or attempt to feed wild animals; this is dangerous to you and the animal.

Snow in California! Protecting Wildlife and Yourself Remember: All animals in the parks are wild. What are the possible risks of not safely watching wildlife? Risks to you: Wildlife may injure you physically, ranging from bites and scratches to serious injury and death. They can also carry infectious diseases. Your vehicle and/or belongings may also be damaged by wildlife. Risks to wildlife: Wildlife can catch diseases from humans and get sick from human food. Animals that become used to spending time around people are often hit by cars. Interacting with humans can cause some animals to panic, and young wildlife are sometimes abandoned by their panicked mothers. Wildlife that become habituated to human contact and food can become aggressive, which might mean they need to be euthanized.

Snow in California! Protecting Wildlife and Yourself Remember: All animals in the parks are wild. What are the possible risks of not safely watching wildlife? Risks to you: Wildlife may injure you physically, ranging from bites and scratches to serious injury and death. They can also carry infectious diseases. Your vehicle and/or belongings may also be damaged by wildlife. Risks to wildlife: Wildlife can catch diseases from humans and get sick from human food. Animals that become used to spending time around people are often hit by cars. Interacting with humans can cause some animals to panic, and young wildlife are sometimes abandoned by their panicked mothers. Wildlife that become habituated to human contact and food can become aggressive, which might mean they need to be euthanized.

Snow in California! Giant Forest Museum The museum is housed in a historic market in the Giant Forest sequoia grove at 6,500 feet (1,980 m) elevation. Explore exhibits about sequoias and learn why this landscape grows the biggest of big trees. Stop here before you explore the grove. During quota season, wilderness permits can be picked up from 7:00 am - 3:30 pm.

Snow in California! Kings Canyon Visitor Center This visitor center is in Grant Grove Village at an elevation of 6,500 feet (1,980 m). Learn about three regions in Kings Canyon National Park: giant sequoia groves, Kings Canyon, and the High Sierra. Watch a 15-minute movie (English/Spanish). A park store sells books, maps, and educational materials.

Snow in California! Sequoiadendron giganteum (giant sequoia; also known as giant redwood, Sierra redwood, Sierran redwood, California big tree, Wellingtonia or simply big tree—a nickname also used by John Muir[3]) is the sole living species in the genus Sequoiadendron, and one of three species of coniferous trees known as redwoods, classified in the family Cupressaceae in the subfamily Sequoioideae, together with Sequoia sempervirens (coast redwood) and Metasequoia glyptostroboides (dawn redwood). Giant sequoia specimens are the most massive trees on Earth.[4] The common use of the name sequoia usually refers to Sequoiadendron giganteum, which occurs naturally only in groves on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California.

Snow in California! Sequoiadendron giganteum (giant sequoia; also known as giant redwood, Sierra redwood, Sierran redwood, California big tree, Wellingtonia or simply big tree—a nickname also used by John Muir[3]) is the sole living species in the genus Sequoiadendron, and one of three species of coniferous trees known as redwoods, classified in the family Cupressaceae in the subfamily Sequoioideae, together with Sequoia sempervirens (coast redwood) and Metasequoia glyptostroboides (dawn redwood). Giant sequoia specimens are the most massive trees on Earth.[4] The common use of the name sequoia usually refers to Sequoiadendron giganteum, which occurs naturally only in groves on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California.

Snow in California! Sequoiadendron giganteum (giant sequoia; also known as giant redwood, Sierra redwood, Sierran redwood, California big tree, Wellingtonia or simply big tree—a nickname also used by John Muir[3]) is the sole living species in the genus Sequoiadendron, and one of three species of coniferous trees known as redwoods, classified in the family Cupressaceae in the subfamily Sequoioideae, together with Sequoia sempervirens (coast redwood) and Metasequoia glyptostroboides (dawn redwood). Giant sequoia specimens are the most massive trees on Earth.[4] The common use of the name sequoia usually refers to Sequoiadendron giganteum, which occurs naturally only in groves on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California.

Snow in California! Sequoiadendron giganteum (giant sequoia; also known as giant redwood, Sierra redwood, Sierran redwood, California big tree, Wellingtonia or simply big tree—a nickname also used by John Muir[3]) is the sole living species in the genus Sequoiadendron, and one of three species of coniferous trees known as redwoods, classified in the family Cupressaceae in the subfamily Sequoioideae, together with Sequoia sempervirens (coast redwood) and Metasequoia glyptostroboides (dawn redwood). Giant sequoia specimens are the most massive trees on Earth.[4] The common use of the name sequoia usually refers to Sequoiadendron giganteum, which occurs naturally only in groves on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California.

Snow in California! The giant sequoia is listed as an endangered species by the IUCN, with fewer than 80,000 trees remaining. Since its last assessment as an endangered species in 2011, it was estimated that another 13–19% of the population (or 9,761–13,637 mature trees) was destroyed during the Castle Fire of 2020 and the KNP Complex & Windy Fire in 2021, events attributed to fire suppression, drought and global warming.[5] Despite their large size and adaptations to fire, giant sequoias have become severely threatened by a combination of fuel load from fire suppression, which fuels extremely destructive fires that are also exacerbated by drought and climate change. These conditions have led to the death of many populations in large fires in recent decades. Prescribed burns to reduce available fuel load may be crucial for saving the species.[6][7] The etymology of the genus name has been presumed—initially in The Yosemite Book by Josiah Whitney in 1868[8]—to be in honor of Sequoyah (1767–1843), who was the inventor of the Cherokee syllabary.[9] An etymological study published in 2012 concluded that Austrian Stephen L. Endlicher is actually responsible for the name. A linguist and botanist, Endlicher corresponded with experts in the Cherokee language including Sequoyah, whom he admired. He also realized that coincidentally the genus could be described in Latin as sequi (meaning to follow) because the number of seeds per cone in the newly classified genus aligned in mathematical sequence with the other four genera in the suborder. Endlicher thus coined the name "Sequoia" as both a description of the tree's genus and an honor to the indigenous man he admired.[10]

Snow in California! Giant sequoia specimens are the most massive individual trees in the world.[4] They grow to an average height of 50–85 m (164–279 ft) with trunk diameters ranging from 6–8 m (20–26 ft). Record trees have been measured at 94.8 m (311 ft) tall. Trunk diameters of 17 m (56 ft) have been claimed via research figures taken out of context.[11] The specimen known to have the greatest diameter at breast height is the General Grant tree at 8.8 m (28.9 ft).[12] Between 2014 and 2016, it is claimed that specimens of coast redwood were found to have greater trunk diameters than all known giant sequoias - though this has not been independently verified or affirmed in any academic literature.[13] The trunks of coast redwoods taper at lower heights than those of giant sequoias which have more columnar trunks that maintain larger diameters to greater heights.

Snow in California! The oldest known giant sequoia is 3,200–3,266 years old based on dendrochronology.[14][15] Giant sequoias are among the oldest living organisms on Earth, and are the verified third longest-lived tree species after the Great Basin bristlecone pine and alerce. Giant sequoia bark is fibrous, furrowed, and may be 90 cm (3 ft) thick at the base of the columnar trunk. The sap contains tannic acid, which provides significant protection from fire damage.[16] The leaves are evergreen, awl-shaped, 3–6 mm (1⁄8–1⁄4 in) long, and arranged spirally on the shoots. The giant sequoia regenerates by seed. The seed cones are 4–7 cm (1+1⁄2–3 in) long and mature in 18–20 months, though they typically remain green and closed for as long as 20 years. Each cone has 30–50 spirally arranged scales, with several seeds on each scale, giving an average of 230 seeds per cone. Seeds are dark brown, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long, and 1 mm (0.04 in) broad, with a 1-millimeter (0.04 in) wide, yellow-brown wing along each side. Some seeds shed when the cone scales shrink during hot weather in late summer, but most are liberated by insect damage or when the cone dries from the heat of fire. Young trees start to bear cones after 12 years. Trees may produce sprouts from their stumps subsequent to injury, until about 20 years old; however, shoots do not form on the stumps of mature trees as they do on coast redwoods. Giant sequoias of all ages may sprout from their boles when branches are lost to fire or breakage. A large tree may have as many as 11,000 cones. Cone production is greatest in the upper portion of the canopy. A mature giant sequoia disperses an estimated 300–400 thousand seeds annually. The winged seeds may fly as far as 180 m (590 ft) from the parent tree. Lower branches die readily from being shaded, but trees younger than 100 years retain most of their dead branches. Trunks of mature trees in groves are generally free of branches to a height of 20–50 m (70–160 ft), but solitary trees retain lower branches.

Snow in California! The natural distribution of giant sequoias is restricted to a limited area of the western Sierra Nevada, California. As a paleoendemic species,[17] they occur in scattered groves, with a total of 81 groves (see list of sequoia groves for a full inventory), comprising a total area of only 144.16 km2 (35,620 acres). Nowhere does it grow in pure stands, although in a few small areas, stands do approach a pure condition. The northern two-thirds of its range, from the American River in Placer County southward to the Kings River, has only eight disjunct groves. The remaining southern groves are concentrated between the Kings River and the Deer Creek Grove in southern Tulare County. Groves range in size from 12.4 km2 (3,100 acres) with 20,000 mature trees, to small groves with only six living trees. Many are protected in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and Giant Sequoia National Monument. The giant sequoia is usually found in a humid climate characterized by dry summers and snowy winters. Most giant sequoia groves are on granitic-based residual and alluvial soils. The elevation of the giant sequoia groves generally ranges from 1,400–2,000 m (4,600–6,600 ft) in the north, to 1,700–2,150 metres (5,580–7,050 ft) to the south. Giant sequoias generally occur on the south-facing sides of northern mountains, and on the northern faces of more southerly slopes. High levels of reproduction are not necessary to maintain the present population levels. Few groves, however, have sufficient young trees to maintain the present density of mature giant sequoias for the future. The majority of giant sequoia groves are currently undergoing a gradual decline in density since European settlement.

Snow in California! Historic range While the present day distribution of this species is limited to a small area of California, it was once much more widely distributed in prehistoric times, and was a reasonably common species in North American and Eurasian coniferous forests until its range was greatly reduced by the last ice age. Older fossil specimens reliably identified as giant sequoia have been found in Cretaceous era sediments from a number of sites in North America and Europe, and even as far afield as New Zealand[18] and Australia.[19]

Snow in California! In 1974, a group of giant sequoias was planted by the United States Forest Service in the San Jacinto Mountains of Southern California in the immediate aftermath of a wildfire that left the landscape barren. The giant sequoias were rediscovered in 2008 by botanist Rudolf Schmid and his daughter Mena Schmidt while hiking on Black Mountain Trail through Hall Canyon. Black Mountain Grove is home to over 150 giant sequoias, some of which stand over 6.1 m (20 ft) tall. This grove is not to be confused with the Black Mountain Grove in the southern Sierra. Nearby Lake Fulmor Grove is home to seven giant sequoias, the largest of which is 20 m (66 ft) tall. The two groves are located approximately 175 mi (282 km) southeast of the southernmost naturally occurring giant sequoia grove, Deer Creek Grove.[20][21] It was later discovered that the United States Forest Service had planted giant sequoias across Southern California. However, the giant sequoias of Black Mountain Grove and nearby Lake Fulmor Grove are the only ones known to be reproducing and propagating free of human intervention. The conditions of the San Jacinto Mountains mimic those of the Sierra Nevada, allowing the trees to naturally propagate throughout the canyon.[22]

Snow in California! Giant sequoias are in many ways adapted to forest fires. Their bark is unusually fire resistant, and their cones will normally open immediately after a fire.[23] Giant sequoias are a pioneer species,[24] and are having difficulty reproducing in their original habitat (and very rarely reproduce in cultivation) due to the seeds only being able to grow successfully in full sun and in mineral-rich soils, free from competing vegetation. Although the seeds can germinate in moist needle humus in the spring, these seedlings will die as the duff dries in the summer. They therefore require periodic wildfire to clear competing vegetation and soil humus before successful regeneration can occur. Without fire, shade-loving species will crowd out young sequoia seedlings, and sequoia seeds will not germinate. When fully grown, these trees typically require large amounts of water and are therefore often concentrated near streams.[citation needed] Squirrels, chipmunks, finches and sparrows consume the freshly sprouted seedlings, preventing their growth.[25] Fires also bring hot air high into the canopy via convection, which in turn dries and opens the cones. The subsequent release of large quantities of seeds coincides with the optimal postfire seedbed conditions. Loose ground ash may also act as a cover to protect the fallen seeds from ultraviolet radiation damage. Due to fire suppression efforts and livestock grazing during the early and mid-20th century, low-intensity fires no longer occurred naturally in many groves, and still do not occur in some groves today. The suppression of fires leads to ground fuel build-up and the dense growth of fire-sensitive white fir, which increases the risk of more intense fires that can use the firs as ladders to threaten mature giant sequoia crowns. Natural fires may also be important in keeping carpenter ants in check.[26] In 1970, the National Park Service began controlled burns of its groves to correct these problems. Current policies also allow natural fires to burn. One of these untamed burns severely damaged the second-largest tree in the world, the Washington tree, in September 2003, 45 days after the fire started. This damage made it unable to withstand the snowstorm of January 2005, leading to the collapse of over half the trunk. In addition to fire, two animal agents also assist giant sequoia seed release. The more significant of the two is a longhorn beetle (Phymatodes nitidus) that lays eggs on the cones, into which the larvae then bore holes. Reduction of the vascular water supply to the cone scales allows the cones to dry and open for the seeds to fall. Cones damaged by the beetles during the summer will slowly open over the next several months. Some research indicates many cones, particularly higher in the crowns, may need to be partially dried by beetle damage before fire can fully open them. The other agent is the Douglas squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasi) that gnaws on the fleshy green scales of younger cones. The squirrels are active year-round, and some seeds are dislodged and dropped as the cone is eaten.[27]

Snow in California! Have fun.

Snow in California! The giant sequoia was well known to Native American tribes living in its area. Native American names for the species include wawona, toos-pung-ish and hea-mi-withic, the latter two in the language of the Tule River Tribe. The first reference to the giant sequoia by Europeans is in 1833, in the diary of the explorer J. K. Leonard; the reference does not mention any locality, but his route would have taken him through the Calaveras Grove.[31] Leonard's observation was not publicized. The next European to see the species was John M. Wooster, who carved his initials in the bark of the 'Hercules' tree in the Calaveras Grove in 1850; again, this observation received no publicity. Much more publicity was given to the "discovery" by Augustus T. Dowd of the Calaveras Grove in 1852, and this is commonly cited as the species' discovery by non-natives.[31] The tree found by Dowd, christened the 'Discovery Tree', was felled in 1853. The first scientific naming of the species was by John Lindley in December 1853, who named it Wellingtonia gigantea, without realizing this was an invalid name under the botanical code as the name Wellingtonia had already been used earlier for another unrelated plant (Wellingtonia arnottiana in the family Sabiaceae). The name "Wellingtonia" has persisted in England as a common name.[32] The following year, Joseph Decaisne transferred it to the same genus as the coast redwood, naming it Sequoia gigantea, but again this name was invalid, having been applied earlier (in 1847, by Endlicher) to the coast redwood. The name Washingtonia californica was also applied to it by Winslow in 1854, though this too is invalid, belonging to the palm genus Washingtonia.

Snow in California! The giant sequoia was well known to Native American tribes living in its area. Native American names for the species include wawona, toos-pung-ish and hea-mi-withic, the latter two in the language of the Tule River Tribe. The first reference to the giant sequoia by Europeans is in 1833, in the diary of the explorer J. K. Leonard; the reference does not mention any locality, but his route would have taken him through the Calaveras Grove.[31] Leonard's observation was not publicized. The next European to see the species was John M. Wooster, who carved his initials in the bark of the 'Hercules' tree in the Calaveras Grove in 1850; again, this observation received no publicity. Much more publicity was given to the "discovery" by Augustus T. Dowd of the Calaveras Grove in 1852, and this is commonly cited as the species' discovery by non-natives.[31] The tree found by Dowd, christened the 'Discovery Tree', was felled in 1853. The first scientific naming of the species was by John Lindley in December 1853, who named it Wellingtonia gigantea, without realizing this was an invalid name under the botanical code as the name Wellingtonia had already been used earlier for another unrelated plant (Wellingtonia arnottiana in the family Sabiaceae). The name "Wellingtonia" has persisted in England as a common name.[32] The following year, Joseph Decaisne transferred it to the same genus as the coast redwood, naming it Sequoia gigantea, but again this name was invalid, having been applied earlier (in 1847, by Endlicher) to the coast redwood. The name Washingtonia californica was also applied to it by Winslow in 1854, though this too is invalid, belonging to the palm genus Washingtonia.