Planning the Great West Coast trip
We are in the planning stage of our west coast. We want to visit the following: Great Basin NP, Kings/Sequoia NP, Yosemite NP, Lassen Volcanic NP, Redwood NP, Crater NP, Olympic NP, Mt. Ranier NP, Cas...
Forum Discussion
Wow! I have to say I was taken aback by your even asking if these parks would begin to look the same after awhile! Then I took a step back and realized I have lived out here too long and have become jaded by expecting to see great, spectacular, amazing, varied, and changing scenery around every corner!
I have lived on the East Coast, too (long, long ago, but have visited throughout the years) where everything is green from spring until fall and where there are actually four distinct seasoms (not just dry or rainy!) Also that much of the scenery doesn't vary much.
What the West does have, in particular California, is variety. In fact, California alone contains all of the world's known biomes/ecosystems, except for tundra! As for scenery, we go from the lowest to the highest points in the lower 48 states in less than 100 miles. The trees range from 165 year old palm trees in LA, to 5000 year old bristle come pines in the White Mountains. And most every other type of tree you can imagine, some fool has probably brought here and planted!
I'm not trying to be arrogant or smart, just honest. I'm trying to impart that you too will be amazed when you get here. There are so many different climate zones you will not be bored.
The Sequoia only live in a small range of the Sierra Nevada mountains and are adapted to life at moderate elevations with cold, wet winters and very warm, dry summers. They share their environment with few other plants. The redwoods on the other hand, need moisture year round be it rain winter and spring, or tule fog during the summer and the first part of fall. They also prefer a constant realtively cool temperature and share their environment with many different plants. They range from Santa Cruz in the South to the Oregon border in the north and only along the immediate coost. The 7 of the world's tallest trees are located in Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
Others have offered great suggestions for possible routes and places to stop and I believe you won't be disappinted anywhere you go. Sorry if I have come off a little too enthusiastic. Enjoy your adventure!
I have lived on the East Coast, too (long, long ago, but have visited throughout the years) where everything is green from spring until fall and where there are actually four distinct seasoms (not just dry or rainy!) Also that much of the scenery doesn't vary much.
What the West does have, in particular California, is variety. In fact, California alone contains all of the world's known biomes/ecosystems, except for tundra! As for scenery, we go from the lowest to the highest points in the lower 48 states in less than 100 miles. The trees range from 165 year old palm trees in LA, to 5000 year old bristle come pines in the White Mountains. And most every other type of tree you can imagine, some fool has probably brought here and planted!
I'm not trying to be arrogant or smart, just honest. I'm trying to impart that you too will be amazed when you get here. There are so many different climate zones you will not be bored.
The Sequoia only live in a small range of the Sierra Nevada mountains and are adapted to life at moderate elevations with cold, wet winters and very warm, dry summers. They share their environment with few other plants. The redwoods on the other hand, need moisture year round be it rain winter and spring, or tule fog during the summer and the first part of fall. They also prefer a constant realtively cool temperature and share their environment with many different plants. They range from Santa Cruz in the South to the Oregon border in the north and only along the immediate coost. The 7 of the world's tallest trees are located in Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
Others have offered great suggestions for possible routes and places to stop and I believe you won't be disappinted anywhere you go. Sorry if I have come off a little too enthusiastic. Enjoy your adventure!
