The southern High Sierra, including Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and the surrounding John Muir, Jennie Lakes, and Monarch Wildernesses, is one of the most magnificent natural areas in the world. Blessed with the largest trees on earth (giant sequoias), one of the deepest canyons in North America (Kings Canyon), and the highest mountain in the continental U.S. (Mt. Whitney), the greater Sequoia-Kings Canyon region offers unparalleled mountain majesty. Along with such superlatives, hundreds of miles of trail provides access to a boundless number of high mountain lakes, wildflower-covered meadows, cascading streams, deep forests, and craggy peaks. Mike White's guide is the only comprehensive guide to this portion of John Muir's Range of Light.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, situated in California's rugged Sierra Nevada, boast some of the most spectacular landscapes on the continent: towering groves of giant sequoia trees, crystalline trout rivers, jagged peaks and alpine meadows, and Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the lower 48.

Beginning in 1872 with the establishment of Yellowstone, national parks were set aside to preserve for future generations the most spectacular and inspirational features of the country. The best representative examples were sought out of major ecosystems, such as Yosemite, geologic forms, such as the Grand Canyon, archaeological sites, such as Mesa Verde, and scenes of human events, such as Gettysburg. But one type of habitat--the desert--was overlooked until travel writers and the Automobile Age began to change Americans' perceptions about desert landscapes. As the National Park Service began to explore the better-known Mojave and Colorado Deserts of southern California during the 1920s for a possible desert park, many agency leaders still held the same negative image of arid lands shared by many Americans--that they are hostile environments and largely useless. But one wealthy woman--Minerva Hamilton Hoyt, from Pasadena--came forward, believing in the value of the desert, and convinced President Franklin D. Roosevelt to establish a national monument that would protect the unique and iconic Joshua trees and other desert flora and fauna. Thus was Joshua Tree National Monument officially established in 1936, and when the area later was expanded in 1994, it became Joshua Tree National Park. Since 1936 the National Park Service and a growing cadre of environmentalists and recreationalists have fought to block ongoing proposals from miners, ranchers, private landowners, and real estate developers who historically have refused to accept the idea that desert might be suitable for anything other than their consumptive activities. Joshua Tree National Park, even with its often-conflicting land uses, is more popular today than ever, serving more than one million visitors per year who find the desert to be a place worthy of respect and preservation. Distributed for George Thompson Publishing

Frommer's Puts the Parks in Your Pocket. All the up-to-date practical information and candid insider advice you need to have the perfect park vacation...in an easy-to-carry size?and at an unbeatable price! Your Complete Guide to Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks, with: Spectacular natural wonders, from majestic Yosemite Falls to Kings Canyon's towering sequoias Great places to stay, from luxury park lodges to family-friendly motels?plus a complete campground guide for each park A fully illustrated nature guide to help you spot and identify local wildlife, birds, trees, wildflowers, and more Descriptions of the best hikes, from easy wilderness strolls and ranger-led walks to overnight backcountry adventures Where to eat and stock up on supplies?both in the parks and in the gateway towns Detailed, accurate park and trail maps

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks must be experienced on foot- only then can you come face-to-face with the grandeur of the incredible scenery. Day Hikes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is a clear, concise guide to 61 of the most rewarding day hikes in these two parks. (The parks are adjacent without a noticeable boundary between them.) These hikes will introduce you to the giant sequoias, the world's largest living organisms, and some of the most impressive canyons, rock formations, and panoramic overlooks found anywhere. Highlights include valleys with towering canyon walls and granite monoliths, verdant alpine meadows fringed with giant sequoias, cascading creeks and waterfalls, and phenomenal views. Hikes range from easy to moderately strenuous, accommodating every level of experience. Each hike includes a summary of its highlights, a map, and clear driving and hiking directions.