The rooms of flowers on mountain hillsides of Sequoia National Park shouted springtime to us while we hiked at 6 - 9,000 feet elevation, a contradiction to the heat below. Though the campground sign read, "Full," we saw empty campsites--probably people who'd been scared off by the soaring temperatures and didn't losing their $20 pernight campsite fee. Just one town below the mountains, the thermometer read 108 on Saturday; in the park visitor center, the heat had decreased to a tolerable 100 degrees, but in our campground--at a bit higher elevation and wearing shorts and sandals--we felt comfortable.
A friend had warned us about camping at Sequoia. She'd done so the week before July 4 years previous and considered it a"a slum." Not so for us. We had vacant campsites around us half the time and our neighbors - when we had them -- proved quiet and considerate. I enjoyed chatting with a few. One fellow even offered us some firewood.
The trek to Tokopah Falls was lovely. Six kinds of flowers, a gurgling stream, and towering cliffs to awe our eyes. When you have to walk 1.7 miles, you share the beauty with only a few.
I'm not too old to enjoy camping, but sleep is fragmentary. Sitting up at night in a dark tent while waiting for my reflux to subside is not fun, but it was worth it.The beauty and peace of Sequoia and the joy of hiking and friendship will remain with me.
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