Show VACATION wonderland EILAND california parks embrace M masterpieces masterpieces aster pieces of nature features nature created her greatest masterpieces in california and many of them are incorporated into the national park system unsurpassed mountain scenery embracing rugged peaks imposing waterfalls and untouched wilderness areas and the famous big trees are among the major attractions in national parks of the high sierras in 1890 three national parks were formed all in the sierra nevadas of california they were the first firs parks created since establishment ot of the original national park yellowstone in 1872 the three additions were yosemite already famous tor for a single magnificent valley general national parks grant a little area of third only four our in a series square miles containing the gener general al grant grove of big trees and sequoia dedicated chiefly to preserving much more extensive stands of these forest giants but possessing also mountain scenery of superb quality in 1940 kings canyon a sol I 1 BIG TREES man Is dwarfed under the forest giants of the congress group of sequoia gigan teas in sequoia national park great untouched wilderness of deep canyons rushing streams and more sequoias directly adjoining sequoia national park was established and little general grant was absorbed in it the big trees found it t their best in all of these parks often are called redwoods actually they are closely related yet distinct species the sequoia usually called redwood grows only near the coast of california with a few in southern oregon the sequoia gi ganiea grows only in a narrow belt from to feet in altitude along the west slope of the sierras the grows to greater height although some of the gigan teas are more than feet tall many of the latter exceed 30 feet in diameter the general sherman tree probably at least years old in the giant forest in sequoia national park Is believed to be the largest as well as the oldest living thins thing only a little more than feet high it has a base circumference of over feet its greatest base diameter is feet sixty feet above the ground its diameter Is feet at twice that height it is still 17 feet through its largest branch feet above the ground is nearly 7 feet in diameter many trees in sequoia approach the general sherman in size and thousands of others deserve the name of giant A fallen sequoia burned hollow centuries ago and known as the tharp log was converted into a cabin by hale tharp a california pioneer in the late and he occupied it for many years 1 THE FAMOUS yosemite valley and the mariposa grove of big trees comprised the first state park in the united states having been given to the state by the federal government tor for that purpose in 1864 by an act signed by abraham lincoln although yosemite national park was established in 1890 neither the valley nor the grove was a part of it until 16 years later when Cal california re deeded it to the uru united ted states hardly less famous than ites iles halt half dome towering sheer above the valley nearly a mile and el capitan nearly feet of perpendicular cular granite are the waterfalls of this magnificent park upper yosemite fall has an unbroken drop of 1430 feet ribbon fall is even higher with a 1612 foot drop numerous others range from to more than feet in height unfortunately tuna tely for the late summer visitor many of these waterfalls go dry by mid august when there has been little rain or snow in the high country according to geologists the deep valleys of the tha west slopes of the sierra were carved by the rushing waters of the same streams which now how flow down them originally V shaped and narrow the yosemite and others were invaded by glaciers during the ice age and these moving forward with inexorable force and power ground away the sides of the valleys to give the present day canyons their U shape yosemite valley Is probably one of the most heavily used areas in the entire park system on some days as many as persons have been in the valley at one time as many as persons have occupied its campgrounds in a single night these of course are weekend and holiday crowds consequently ly the visitor who wants to avoid them will plan his visit at other times IN ALL T THREE H RE E of the high sierra parks there is good fishing for which a state license is required each also contains a great variety of wild animal and bird life As in I 1 a number of the other parks too great familiarity with the larger species particularly black bear and deer and the feeding of these animals by visitors are discouraged by national park service the gentle deer Is possessed of razor sharp hooves which can and do cause serious injuries to incautious visitors the be bears ars also should be v viewed at a distance for their apparent tameness Is deceptive feeding these animals is no kindness to them foods prepared tor for human consumption cause them serious digestive troubles as well as getting them out of the habit of seeking their normal and natural foods both sequoia and yosemite hare hae a wide variety of public accommodations ranging from simple housekeeping cabins on up both offer accommodations throughout the year and are very popular in winter since they offer excellent snow and ice sports accommodations for visitors to kings canyon are found only m what was formerly general grant national park although many use facilities at giant forest in sequoia 30 miles farther away ka FAMED CATARACT I 1 nevada falls Is one of the i nany spectacular waterfalls in yosemite national park |