(no audio) (upbeat music) (upbeat music continues) (upbeat music continues) (upbeat music continues) (upbeat music fades) (gentle music) - In the heart of the western United States, where the sun meets the sky in a symphony of colors, lies a breathtaking world waiting to be explored.

Welcome to the Sierra Nevada mountains, a realm of majestic peaks, verdant valleys, and an ever-changing landscape that beckons adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike.

From the blooming wild flowers of spring in Sequoia National Park to the vibrant hues of fall in Mammoth Lakes, and the snow-covered giants in Yosemite National Park, each season paints a unique portrait of this awe-inspiring wilderness.

These are the seasons and places within California's Sierra Nevada mountains.

Welcome to Sequoia National Park.

I'm Alice Ford, and over the next few days, I'll be showing you around Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park with all the best hikes and things that you should do on a visit here.

Nestled within the Sierra Nevada mountains, Sequoia National Park stands as a testament to the enduring grandeur of nature.

Home to the world's largest trees, including the renowned General Sherman, this park's ancient groves evoke a profound sense of wonder.

One of the big draws here at Sequoia and Kings Canyon is obviously the giant sequoia trees, one of the largest living trees on the planet, and one of the best trails to check them out is the Big Trees Trail.

The trail begins at the Giant Forest Museum and meanders around the forest floor.

It's the largest unlogged grove in the park and has a huge network of trails that explore this living and breathing museum of natural history.

Sequoia trees live to be several thousand years old and some of them in this grove are up to 3,000 years old.

They have stood through so much of the human history of this area.

And oh, what we could learn if only trees could talk.

The first thing you'll notice exploring the park are the signs and scars from fire.

In 2020 and 2021, the park was devastated by a long-lasting series of wildfires that damaged more than 88,000 acres and much of the park's old growth forest.

Somewhere between 13 to 19% of the large sequoias in the Sierra Nevada actually died.

The importance of fire, however, to sequoias cannot be overstated, because these giant trees need fire to help them regenerate and have been experiencing frequent surface fires over the last 2,000 years.

(gentle music continues) Being surrounded by these giants is incredible.

It's here in the Giant Forest where five out of the 10 largest trees on the planet live, and we're about to see America's largest.

This is the General Sherman.

It's the largest tree on the planet, not as wide or as tall as some other trees, but by volume, this is bigger than any other tree.

It has enough water inside it to supply a bath for you for 27 years every day, too.

And a lot of people are here to see this tree in particular.

(gentle music) (gentle music continues) One of the most popular trails here in the park is Moro Rock.

It's about a mile and a half up a paved road and then a couple of stairs.

When I say a couple, I mean a couple hundred, and then some spectacular views of the park.

The road to reach the trail to Moro Rock typically reopens around late May.

So in early spring, I had to walk up the road, which gave me time to admire some of the most beautiful sequoias in this part of the park.

(gentle music continues) As you make your way up here, you're gonna come to this viewpoint where you can see across the Great Western Divide.

Now, almost all of these mountains behind me are now part of Kings Canyon and Sequoia, protected here all the way over to Mount Whitney, which is the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states.

For those looking to explore the mountains, one of the best backpacking routes that goes through this area is the High Sierra Trail.

It can take up to eight days, 72 miles, and includes a climb up Mount Whitney.

A few more stone steps and you'll reach the top of Moro Rock, which has picturesque views in all directions.

(gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) If you've come over to Moro Rock, you cannot leave without a visit to Tunnel Log.

Now, you've probably seen historical photos of this place.

It's one of the most famous parts of Sequoia National Park, is being able to drive your car through a tree.

This is actually taken down in 1937, so early, early visitors to the park were able to drive their Model Ts underneath this same tree.

Pretty spectacular.

So if you're coming to this area, even when the road is closed, definitely walk down this little side road.

It's pretty quick from Moro Rock to get over here.

And in the summertime, you can take the shuttle or drive your vehicle.

(gentle music) As the elevation changes in the park, so does the weather.

After a morning of sunshine, the snow was now falling as I near the entrance to the General Grant Grove in Kings Canyon.

Sequoias aren't just some of the largest trees on earth, but they're also the symbol of our national parks.

You might notice a large tree on the National Park logo, which is actually a sequoia.

That's because sequoias go way back when it comes to national parks.

Three out of the first four national parks ever created in America were created just to protect these massive trees.

One of the areas you won't wanna miss when you're coming up here to Kings Canyon is the General Grant Grove.

Now, this is actually the site of the first original national park here, which was designated back in 1890 to protect this grove of sequoias and the General Grant Tree.

(gentle music continues) The star of the show at the General Grant Grove is the General Grant Tree, which was actually dubbed our nation's Christmas tree in 1916 by President Coolidge.

It's 268 feet tall and 107 feet around.

As the springtime flowers fade and the summer begins, I head to the eastern side of the Sierras to the area of Lone Pine.

Full of rugged peaks, it's a true hiker's paradise, with a plethora of back country treasures waiting to be discovered.

Today, we venture to the enchanting Cottonwood Lakes, nestled amidst the rocky terrain where pristine waters mirror the surrounding majesty.

The winding trail leads us 10 miles through the pine forest, each step unveiling breathtaking vistas that inspire a profound connection with the raw beauty of nature.

(gentle music continues) Many of the trails in the areas of the Eastern Sierra are part of the Inyo National Forest.

This area has been protected since 1907.

The forest plays a crucial role in not only conservation, but for recreation.

People can hike, rock climb, bike, fish, camp, and even horse pack through the trails of the Inyo National Forest.

And come winter, the area is full of skiers and snowboarders flocking to the nearby slopes and soaking in the natural hot springs dotted throughout the landscape.

(gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) There are 1,000 named lakes within the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the region of the Eastern Sierras boast countless trails leading to a multitude of alpine lakes perfect for hikers and backpackers alike.

With more than 300 miles of trails covering a diverse range of terrains from alpine meadows to rugged mountain passes.

For those looking to hike some of the area's thirteen and fourteeners, Cottonwood Lakes, which sits at over 11,000 feet, is a great place to acclimate and get ready for the higher peaks.

(gentle music) (gentle music continues) From the tranquil shores of Cottonwood Lakes, our expedition leads us to the illustrious Mount Whitney, a towering sentinel that crowns the Sierra Nevada range as the pinnacle of adventure.

As I ascend towards the heavens, the rugged terrain and alpine vistas serve as a testament to the raw magnificence of nature's grand design.

The trail to the summit of the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states usually starts in darkness, but as the sun starts to shine and the summit comes into view, the exhilaration to conquer each switchback builds.

The air thins and the landscape transforms into a dramatic spectacle of rock and ice.

(gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) And before I know it, the season changes again.

Fall has come, transforming the mountains into an awe-inspiring tapestry of rich hues and vibrant colors.

(gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) This reflection this morning is just unreal.

Right now, we're at a place called South Lake, just outside Bishop, California.

I actually drove up here from Los Angeles, which is about a four to five hour drive, depending on how often you stop.

And I'm gonna be taking you guys to see some of the last of the fall foliage.

So we're gonna be heading from here in the Whitney Portal area up through Mammoth Lakes, checking out some of the lakes, checking out some of the cool driving places that you can go, and a couple of short hikes.

(gentle music) (gentle music continues) Passing through Aspendell, I stopped by the shores of Lake Sabrina, where cold winter temperatures hang in the air and the reflections of the Sierras mesmerized me at every glance.

(gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) All right, we found the fall colors.

This is our next stop, Convict Lake, and this is just right off the 395 as you head towards Mammoth.

And so beautiful here.

You can camp here, you can hike around the lake, you can go fishing or boating.

So lots of variety here.

Definitely would be fantastic here in the summertime, too.

(gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) My next stop is a drive along the June Lake Loop, a scenic byway that meanders through a landscape of unparalleled beauty.

As a traverse this winding road, I'm easily captivated by the dramatic vistas that unfold before my eyes.

The loop takes me past a series of glistening lakes, each reflecting the surrounding peaks and dense forests, creating a picturesque tableau that seems straight out of a postcard.

Along the route, the vibrant hues of aspen dance in the gentle breeze while the rugged mountains, soon to be blanketed in snow, add a touch of drama to the already breathtaking scenery.

June Lake sits just outside of the town of Mammoth, which is one of California's most premier winter ski and snowboard destinations.

And all around you have this scenic beauty of lakes and wilderness, and the lakes around the June Lake Loop are full of trout, making them a popular spot for fishing and for boating enthusiasts who can rent boats and enjoy activities on the water, too.

(gentle music) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music fades) (relaxing music) (relaxing music continues) This is Mono Lake, it's one of the oldest lakes in California, and definitely one of the strangest, it's super salty, actually twice as salty as the ocean, and more alkaline, too.

And that's because this lake actually sits at the end of the Great Basin.

So different bodies of water all drain into this area.

And because this lake is hundreds of thousands of years old, all of those minerals and all of those salts have just built up here.

So you have these really unique rock formations called tufas.

A tufa is a type of limestone, and these usually develop in alkaline lake environments, and they can take on the shape of towers, columns, and crusts.

And a lot of the rocks are actually covered in salt crystals.

Now, you may not think that many things live in this lake, but you actually have alkaline flies and brine shrimp that live in the lake, and birds love to come and eat them.

(gentle music) This lake is just such a wild color of blue, and all around you have fall colors, yellows, oranges, it's just so beautiful.

Hope you guys have enjoyed this little road trip through Mammoth Lakes, through some of Bishop and Whitney Portal.

Soon enough, the vibrant hues of fall slowly surrender to the impending chill.

And I bid farewell to the enchanting Mono Lake and make my way westward to where the Sierra Nevada mountains reveal a winter wonderland like no other.

Nestled among the snow-kissed wilderness is one of California's most beloved national parks, where the tower and granite cliffs and frosted evergreens create a breathtaking spectacle of nature's resilience.

From Los Angeles, Yosemite is just about four and a half hours, and in the winter, snow tires and chains or cables are required to drive on park roads, as they can be extremely slippery in the winter months.

I came into the park in the early evening, just in time for golden hour.

(gentle music) (gentle music continues) Talk about a winter wonderland.

I have never been here in the snow season and I am super excited to show it to you under the blanket of winter.

Welcome, everybody, to Yosemite National Park.

(gentle music continues) You have definitely seen photos of this waterfall, and there are no shortage of winter hikes here in the park.

Right now, we're heading to Yosemite Falls, which is North America's tallest waterfall.

The hike starts at Camp 4 across the street from the Yosemite Valley Lodge, and heads up a series of switchbacks on the way to Columbia Rock.

(gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) Just saw my first bear of the trip, just out here getting some winter forging on.

Just awesome to have all these wildlife experiences.

(gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) This side of the park actually gets a ton of sunshine in the early morning.

So if you're looking for a place to stay warm on a winter hike, this is actually a really great option.

As you can see right now, the sun is just blasting this trail and I've already shed a bunch of layers.

And one of the other things that makes us nice is that it keeps most of the trail actually melted, so you don't have to worry about throwing on any MICROspikes until you get near the falls.

(gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) Upper Yosemite Falls is a strenuous hike, but if you can take on the challenge, the reward is a spectacular view of this large cascade.

The trail has several viewpoints along the way, but for those looking for a real challenge, you can actually hike all the way up to the top.

(gentle music) Yosemite Falls has multiple segments of cascading water, and for those not up for the challenge of such a long and strenuous hike, you can walk along the gentle and paved trail to the lower falls on the forest floor.

(gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) One of my other favorite walks in the park is the Valley Loop Trail.

This goes actually around 11 miles around the valley floor of the park.

And even in the winter, it's super doable, because usually the trail is pretty well-packed from other people that are visiting.

But one of the things I love about it is that you just have all of these different viewpoints of the valley.

You can see Yosemite Falls behind me, and there are just so many beautiful areas along this route, and it also kind of brings you down into this winter wonderland area where all of the snow is.

So I highly recommend it.

(gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) All right, it's my last hike of the day.

It's about 3:00 PM and I'm just trying to fit in one more before the light fades in about an hour.

We'll see if we can make it to the lake and back.

(gentle music continues) There is so much snow falling.

(gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) Mirror Lake is just a short walk from Yosemite Village, and one of the most unique things about this place is the reflections on the lake.

It's an absolutely magical place to come, especially if you're with a friend and you can take some fantastic reflection photos from across the pond.

(gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music fades) (relaxing music) (relaxing music continues) (relaxing music continues) (relaxing music continues) My last stop today is to hike out to Mariposa Groves.

Now, this is right at the entrance to Yosemite, and in the summertime is extremely busy.

There's usually a shuttle bus that will take you up to the grove, so it's a really short hike.

But in the winter, that shuttle bus is out of operation and the road is closed.

So we're gonna be walking up to the grove, and I'm hoping if there's a little bit of snow, we can do some snowshoeing as well.

(gentle music) (gentle music continues) The trail to the grove is 1.9 miles.

You can choose to walk up the closed roadway, or through the woods on a snow-lined path.

(gentle music continues) Definitely invest in some MICROspikes if you wanna go on any of the trails.

As you guys can see, this trail is completely covered in snow.

During the day, the snow melts a little bit, and then when it gets cold again, it freezes.

So you end up with these really icy trails.

And even though this is right at the beginning of the park at lower elevation, you still have very slippery conditions.

The magnificent trees here led this grove, along with the Yosemite Valley, to be established as a state park In 1864, later becoming the country's third national park in 1890.

The Grove is home to 500 mature giant sequoias, some of the largest living organisms on earth.

The Mariposa Grove is one of the most beloved areas of the park, protecting the mighty sequoia.

In winter, it's devoid of the summertime crowds, making this grove feel like a sanctuary of ancient giants.

As I bid adieu to the wonders of the Mariposa Grove, I also reflect on all that we have seen on this unforgettable journey through the seasons and places of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

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