Adventure 008, Hike 116 – Circle Meadow

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 008, Hike 116 – Circle Meadow

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  September 13, 2012

Location: Giant Forest

Hike Info:

Trail: Circle Meadow trail

Distance: 2.0 miles

Duration: 1:09

Elevation Rise: 161'

Description:
We hiked a series of trails in the Giant Forest Area. This area lies in the Sequoia National Park. It was named the Giant Forest because of the large number of Sequoia Gigantea groves in the area. These gentle trees are the largest oldest living organism on earth. The groves of these Sequoias are few on earth and Giant Forest has these trees in abundance. The Grove at Giant Forest occupies an area of 3 square miles. There are over 40 miles of hiking area within the area, and we did a quarter of them today, spread over several trails.



We picked this trail after leaving Congress trail. Close to Circle Meadow is The Cattle Cabin. Before the national park came into being the owner of this cabin pastured his cattle in Circle Meadow. He slaughtered the animals creating all sorts of blood. After the park came into being he provided meat to the soldiers protecting the park. This kept him from being removed from the land. The trees on this trail are striking. You have some named trees and groups of Trees like the Founders group, Black Arch, Room Tree and Pillars of Hercules. Thing One and Thing Two even found a tree that looked like an animal. This trail had a control burn on it earlier this year. Hopefully that will prevent a disastrous forest fire. This trail was a nice trail that took us back to Crescent meadow.