Sequoia is several diverse bio-regions, changing gradually in both elevation and east-west. It all starts as northern desert and climbs into a kind of stark lowland forest, and finally into the giant redwood groves. The largest of them all - the Sequoia - is the largest living thing in the world, and one of the oldest. It is estimated that the Sequoia grow up to 2,500 years old. Its relative, the Bristlecone Pine, lives four times as long, and was once thought to be the oldest living organism on Earth. Some scientists believe that the Creosote plant, also in California, is the oldest living organism on Earth, because it produces clones of itself connected by an underground network of roots. To further complicate matters, now, scientists have uncovered bacteria that can lie dormant for millions of years.
Sequoia holds the longest stretch of peaks in North America. It also holds the tallest in the Contiguous United States; Mount Whitney. But Mount Whitney is a several day's hike from here. By car, it is only accessible via the 395, which is nowhere near where we are now. We are walking along a trail near the giant General Sherman tree. It is dark, foggy and snowing.
