Re: Kings Canyon, Join us for a 10 day ride

[Nancy DuPont <Htrails@Earthlink.net>]

>
>Heritage Trails 19th annual Exploratory Ride
>Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
>
>August 11 to 19
>
>"A rival to the Yosemite." 
>John Muir wrote in describing the canyon of the Kings River.
>The Kings River was discovered and named by the (Moraga) Spanish Explorers
in approximately 1778.  This glaciated valley in which Cedar Grove lies
presents towering granite cliffs, tumbling waterfalls seen from the highway
which drops to parallel this powerful river.  
>
>Heritage Trails makes an annual trek with a group of 25 riders, members and
friends to visit the most magnificent segments of the High Sierra.  The
purpose is to introduce wilderness areas to those of us who would never have
an opportunity to "go it alone" much less find the trails and campsites.
Our President, George Cardinet has a lifelong experience in mapping and
building trails and knowledge of wilderness travel.  
>
>While many of our members repeat the ride each year, about one third of the
reservations is offered to those who want to experience wilderness trail
riding.  Once having this fully supported experience, visitors are better
equipped to return on their own and travel individually.
>
>The Giant Sequoias
>The plans for this year's ride will include a visit to the Giant Forest in
Sequoia National Park, where we will see the General Sherman Tree, the
world's largest living organism and one of the fastest growing. Each year
the General Sherman adds enough wood growth to make a 60 foot tall tree of
usual proportions. Its largest branch is over seven feet in diameter.  It is
about 2700 years old.  We will also visit Grant Grove, (originally Grant
Grove created in 1890 to protect these sequoias from the lumberman's axe).
The General Grant Tree is the third largest living tree in the world This
sequoia is also the nation's Christmas tree and a designated national
shrine, the only living memorial to Americans who gave their lives for
freedom.   
>
>Cedar Grove- Kings Canyon
>
> The hush of a forest dominated by these Mammoth trees gives you a humbling
moment and reality check.  Ride perfectly groomed trails, dismount and walk
among the giants of the plant world.
>
>Cedar Grove, located at the bottom of the canyon is our destination and
staging area for the backcountry. The Cedar Grove area is an entry point for
hundreds of miles of trails into spectacular wilderness areas.
>
>The Cedar Grove Ranger Station can provide you with park maps, detailed
trail guides and other publications and the Cedar Grove Pack Station has
welcomed us to stay overnight with our horses.
>
>Kings Canyon reaches a depth of 8,200 feet from river level up to Spanish
Mountain's Peak. Just downstream from the Middle and South Forks of the
Kings River, the canyon has no equal in North America!  It is deeper than
the Grand Canyon in Arizona.   At Roads End on Kings Canyon Highway you can
stand on a flat valley and look up at canyon walls rising nearly a mile
above the river's level. 
>
>Palisades Crest in Kings Canyon National Park and the Mt. Whitney group in
Sequoia each boast six Peaks over 14,000 feet in elevation.
>
>Paved roads top out at 7,800 feet in elevation.  Riding above 9,000 feet
there are no dense forests, above 11,000 feet no trees grow. Here are mostly
boulders, rocks and rockbound alpine lakes, meadows and low growing shrubs.
Spring flourishes briefly.  Mountain lakes set in small bowls-called
cirques-dot the Sierra scenery.  
>
>We have located three pack stations and talked with each of them about our
ride.  They have been cooperative and enthusiastic about helping us.  They
are located in descending order to Cedar Grove. 
>
>Our format conforms to wilderness travel; riders divide into three groups
of ten and are never together during the ride, coming together as a group in
camp at night. Breakfast is served at 7:30, first ride is out at 8:30 a.m.
The riders return to camp by 3 in the afternoon.  
>
>We will base camp at Cedar Grove for four days to give everyone a chance to
explore the hundreds of miles of spectacular backcountry trails accessible
to foot and horse traffic only. There are restrictions on group sizes when
staying in a national park so our ride must be limited. 
>
>Cost for the ride is $800 and includes catered food and hay and grain for
our horses.  Lodging will be in camps every night, sometimes with your
vehicle and on backcountry treks, in your own tents. Gear is transported
daily by vehicle.
>
>Heritage Trails is not a commercial enterprise. We are a charitable,
non-profit group whose mission statement is to preserve and protect trails
and to provide access to our parks and wilderness areas.  We work to answer
the question; "Where are we going to ride our horses, and where are we going
to keep them." This is our 19th year of conducting such an exploratory ride. 
>
>For further information about Heritage Trails rides or reservations for
this year, call Nancy DuPont, Executive Director, (925) 933-3701.
Nancy DuPont, Executive Director
Heritage Trails
Our Mission: To preserve and protect trails and answer the question, "Where
are you going to ride your horses, and where are you going to keep them."
Telephone (925)937-7661 FAX (925) 943-7431
Walnut Creek, California 


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