Today we started our adventure at the General Grant Grove. They had a ranger lead hike through the grove and we figured it would be a good way to learn about the huge trees.
Before our hike began we visited the twin sisters. And this photo doesn't even show the top of them!
That really is Matt and the kids standing at the bottom! :-)
They did a great job of explaining the role of fire in the forest and the fire scars that we saw on many of the trees. This is the fire scar on the General Grant tree.
This was interesting to see, like the tree had been split, but it kept growing.
And we got to walk through this tree. It was at one time used as a hotel and as stables for horses. It is a fallen tree that had burned through along the core of the tree. They call these types of trees monarchs.
After lunch at Stony Creek Village, we headed to Lodgepole. I was hoping to visit the Walter Fry Nature Center. Unfortunately, it is closed. :-( We visited around Lodgepole a bit and checked out the visitors center.
In the store the kids got a kick out of the bear they had!
We then made our way back to where we were staying and enjoyed a beautiful meadow!
Matt had fun taking photos with my phone.
This is the little stream than ran through the meadow. So beautiful!
We stopped at the two overlooks. This one faces to the east. It was a surprise to see all these cairns. They were all over! And a few more were added while we were there! :-)
This is the one Matt made!
Then we went to the overlook that faces the west. Another stunning view!
Mason made him self a spot to lounge.
Anna took this photo from here high perch.
It was a wonderful day!
