As usual, once we decided on a vacation spot we looked around for the major airports around the vacation spots. This time we decided to visit California. The major airports are Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco and Sacramento. After comparing the flight expense, rental car and routes to take, we decided on Sacramento. This time also we took a loop around the vacation spots, arrival and departure at Sacramento airport. Our first destination was Lake Tahoe. For this, we took route 50 west through Eldorado National forest. This was really an uphill drive almost up to Lake Tahoe. There are lot of beautiful over looks on the way. We took a complete loop around the lake Tahoe. There are plenty of beautiful over looks to the lake. Lake Tahoe is the highest and largest Alpine lake in US. The eastern shore of Lake Tahoe is designated as National Scenic-byway(NSB).
Why is Lake Tahoe so bluish? Because of the depth, clarity of water and the prevalent clear blue skies. Lake Tahoe is the third deepest lake (after Crater lake of Oregon and great Slave lake of Canada). Most of precipitation falls directly on the lake and the run off to the lake from streams are filtered off by meadows and forests around it. Unfortunately, this is changing due to rapid development around the lake.
The next destination was Yosemite National Park. We took route 89 south and then 395 south to reach Lee Vining. There is a salt lake in Lee Vining called Mono Lake which has plenty of salt rocks on its shore. This is a sad story of how water diverted for agriculture can destroy a beautiful lake. From Lee Vining, route 120 also called Tioga Pass road takes across Sierra Nevada plateau and to the western edge of Yosemite National Park. This is a national scenic Byway. This scenic route wades through lakes, meadows and snow capped mountains. Tuolumne meadows is a popular recreational area on the way. Apart from taking a drive around the Yosemite valley surrounded by El capitan, half dome and water falls, had a picnic on the banks of Mecerd river and trekked to Nevada falls. Being acrophobic prevented going beyond Nevada falls and carrying tripod and camera gears was too strenuous. Glacial point drive gave a panoramic view of the Yosemite valley.
What is the difference between National Scenic byway and All American roads? A National Scenic byway designated by US department of transportation for its historical, cultural, natural, scenic, archaeological and recreational importance. The most scenic among them are designated as All American roads, which means they have features that do not exist anywhere else in USA.
It is time to give El Capitan a parting salute and march towards Kings Canyon National Park. Kings canyon National park and Sequoia national parks are like twin parks, adjacent and covered with Sequoia forests. Giant sequoia trees is the biggest living organism on earth. We took route 41 south to Fresno and 180 east and then route 198 which is appropriately named General's Highway. As our SUV snaked through the General's highway dwarfed by giant Sequoia trees, we encountered a number of black bear families on the road with all sows radio collared. We no longer let them roam free without eavesdropping in their lives!!. Compared to Yosemite, these parks are virtually deserted. Of all the time we spent in front of General Sherman, we could not find any other human being. May be it is what it is meant to be.
No more small roads to Bay area. We took Route 198 west, 99 North, 589 west and 680 north to reach Bay area. The panoramic night view of bay area across Golden Gate bridge from Golden gate recreational area was breath taking. Now it is a long way to Red Wood national park along route 101 north. Red woods are tallest trees on earth. Like sequoia, barks of redwood is fire resistant make it survive forest fires and lightning. There are multiple groves of red woods along the pacific coast. Redwoods are commonly photographed with the coastal fog created by California current. There are plenty of well established trekking trails in the park.
What is the difference between Redwood and Sequoia? Redwood grows along rainy coastal area while Sequoia grows drier inland especially on the western slopes of Sierra Nevada. Redwood is taller while Sequoia is fatter. Sequoia is not good for lumber while redwood is good for lumber. Now you know that Sequoia has a future!!
Tired of looking up for a long time, it is time to head north to look down at Crater Lake National Park. We took route 199 North, 5 east and 62 north (also called Crater lake highway) to reach Crater Lake National Park. It is the deepest lake in north America. Because of this, it's water is warm even in winter and the resulting lake effect dump lot of snow on its surrounding area. Due to snow, the loop road around the crater usually open only late June. There are plenty of overlooks around the loop road. The route 62 south towards Klamouth Falls, route 97 south, interstate 5 south and route 89 south are designated NSBs. The extinct volcano Mount Shasta is situated beside interstate 5. On a clear day, mount Shasta can be visible from very far away as it is the second tallest volcano in US.
On the route to Lassen Peak Volcanic peak national Park is Burney falls state Park. This is an unusual water fall where the water falls from different levels through the fissures in the rock. Lassen peak is also an extinct volcano comprise of geysers, mud flats and boiling mud. Snow capped Lassen peak and surrounding lakes such as Reflection and Manzanita are extremely beautiful to photograph. Due to the presence of late snows, this park also open late like Crater lake national Park. Unfortunately, I lost the entire roll I took at Lassen Peak due to a small mistake in rewinding the film. This happens!!. Now it is time to head back to Sacramento and to home. We took 44 west and then to interstate 5 south to Sacramento.
Key Points to remember
a) When you choose routes, avoid interstate as much as possible. Of course you reach your destination faster, but you miss the wonders offered by small country roads. Always try to incorporate All American roads and National Scenic byways in your planned route.
b) When traveling in remote and rural roads, keep considerable distance with the vehicle ahead. We had a very bad experience in Grand Canyon North rim. Tires trap small stones in their grooves and fire it shattering the wind shields.
c) Keep half day of every 3rd day for catching up in long vacations. It may be catching up your sleep or drive. How well you prepare and pre-plan, there may be something which make your trip delay, may be a traffic jam or you want to meet somebody. So Keep half day of every 3rd day for this.
d) If you feel tired or sleepy during long trips, just pull over immediately or hand over the steering to you spouse. It is just not worth the risk.
Equipment Used: Pentax SLR ZX-5N with lens SMC -FA 1:2 24 mm IF & AL and Pentax circular polarizer
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