Living in California, I find it surprising that so few of my friends have had the pleasure to experience the majestic beauty of the largest, oldest, and tallest living trees in the world. Although these living testaments of time and size are not congregated in the same locality, separate journeys to each of the parks where they are located make superb vacations objectives.

The world’s largest living thing is the General Sherman tree in Sequoia National Park.  This giant measures 102 feet in circumference at the base, weighs 2.7 million pounds, and has a colossal volume of 52,000 cubic feet (5,000 more than its closest competitor).  Standing next to it makes one feel both small and reflective.

Most people visiting these giant sequoias travel on Highway-99 to Highway-180, just north of Fresno.  Heading east on Highway-180, the land changes from flat valley orchards to manzanita and other shrubs of the foothills.  Continuing east, the road climbs higher, and deeper into the forest, where eventually you come to a place called Grant’s Grove.  An easy, flat, half-hour walk takes you around General Grant (the world's third largest tree) and other giant sequoias.  We took numerous photographs of these giants, and then headed farther east along Highway-180 through Sequoia National Park.  There were few vistas on this stretch, no major rivers, few campgrounds, and almost no lodging places.

We started to wonder whether taking this giant sequoia loop was going to be worth the time, when we finally arrived late in the day at the Giant Forest, home of the General Sherman Tree.  We walked down a gentle slope and saw a tree that was clearly larger than any we had ever seen.  A ten-point buck was grazing nearby, and the air was quiet and still.  As the buck leisurely walked away, we were left looking up at this amazing thing and found ourselves in awe at its beauty as well as its size.  Given its 2,500 year age, I couldn’t help reflecting on this immense tree being a contemporary of numerous historical events.  It should be on the list for anyone who would like to enjoy seeing one of the amazing living “wonders of the world.”

We drove for another hour through a thick forest with more giant trees, and then down into the canyon of the Kaweah River. At the town of Three Rivers, we found many motels and campgrounds, most of them with vacancies and reasonably priced. The rest of the drive back to Highway-99 was pleasant.

For those who enjoy visiting the superlative trees of our planet, there are two more in the state of California, the oldest and tallest living things on the planet.

The oldest tree was named after the oldest biblical character, Methuselah.  “Methuselah” is a bristlecone pine tree that is 4,725 years old.  It is nestled in a spot called the Patriarch Grove, 11,200 feet high in California’s White Mountains.

To visit the sight where this tree has resided for literally thousands of years, take Highway-395 on the dry, eastern side of the Sierras.  For those who prefer motels, the town of Bishop and  Big Pine are the places to stay. To get to Methuselah from Big Pine, go 13 miles along Highway-168.  Turn on White Mountain Road, and travel another 20 miles over a winding gravel surface with occasional spectacular vistas.  (This road is not for large vehicles, and it is highly recommended to carry water and supplies if planning to camp along the way.  No amenities are available.)

The Patriarch Grove is easy to find, but there are no signs or markers to help determine which of the many elderly bristlecone pine trees in the grove is the legendary Methuselah. The threat of vandalism requires that the park keep this a secret to almost all visitors. Still, it’s fun to ponder which tree is the famous Methuselah.  Then take time to consider all that has happened in the life of this distinguished patriarch of forests.

California is also the home to world's tallest living thing --a giant redwood called "Hyperion," which measures 378 feet in height and resides on a steep slope in Humboldt State Park, some 300 miles (and five hours) northwest of Sacramento.  Rick Nolan, the acting superintendent of Redwood National Park, has said that "it would be nearly impossible for visitors to find it" because "bushwhacking in that kind of country is kind of like climbing Mount Everest at 28,000 feet... Reaching the record-breaking trees is no pleasure hike."(1)  Furthermore, to protect this amazing tree from vandals, there is again no sign or marker around to identify it.

Still, visitors can enjoy many of the slightly smaller giant redwoods by driving north on Highway-5 to Williams, then take Highway-20 west to Highway-101 and then north to the redwood groves.  There are campgrounds and lodging near most of these groves.  The moss and fern life growing in the misty forest at the feet of these red giants makes this trip a very moving experience. 

Isn’t it amazing the largest living thing, the oldest living thing, and the tallest living thing on the planet, all started from tiny itsy bitsy seeds, and that they all reside in California!  Whoever said, “California is just full of fruits and nuts,” never visited our uniquely amazing and beautiful forests!

Other resources:
http://www.nps.gov/seki/
http://sonic.net/bristlecone
http://www.redwoods.info

References:
    1) San Francisco Chronicle, September 7, 2006. "Hyperion: New Tallest Living
            Thing Discovered,"  by Glen Martin.

      Images Copyright Courtsey of nps.gov and sonic.net