We entered Sequoia National Park through its southern entrance and drove through the entire park to reach our campsite, Dorst Creek Campground, at the northwestern corner of the park. The vastness of this park was striking: over every hill and around every corner, we expected to see signs for our site. Instead, we climbed and turned for miles of glorious nature - expanses of the deep wilderness of Kings Canyon to our east; sequoia trees edging the road and dotting the canopy; switchbacks galore. The juxtaposition of this place with our previous was stunning. I didn't realize how much I yearned for the green of tall trees and flora until approaching the park, and every inch we proceeded I fell more in love with this place - and this was only from within the confines of Little Red. Fortunately, this sentiment did not diminish throughout our trip.
After setting up camp...
...we left Cassandra to rest, and Evelyn and I ventured out on a trail along Dorst Creek for a quick sneak preview - as well as work out our cooped up energy. It was serene along the gently trickling creek. We spotted a small family of deer and a big hawk (or some other bird of prey), perched on a low-hanging twig, still as ice, staring directly at me, saying, "That's a good pace there, so keep it moving."
Returning to camp as the sun hid well below the canopy, feeling physically excited but mentally drained, we followed the light and enjoyed an early, satisfied night's rest.
I felt we had finally arrived. A small plot in the middle of the woods was our goal, and we most certainly made it. We three huddled close in our sleeping bag and melted into a crisp Sierra evening.
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