BLAUERT: Want big trees? They're easy to find

More than half of California's giant sequoia groves are located outside the boundaries of Sequoia National Park. In 2000, the majority of these groves became part of the Giant Sequoia National Monument.

Last weekend I headed down to the southwestern part of the monument and spent a couple of days with my family around Quaking Aspen and Camp Nelson. Forty-one miles east of Porterville, the Quaking Aspen Campground makes an excellent base camp.

It is one of the easiest places to enjoy the fall colors of an aspen grove on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada.

Campsites and a historic cabin can be reserved for overnight use through Oct. 30 at www.recreation.gov or (877) 444-6777. Campsites are $18 a night. Some of the best recreational opportunities in this area include:

• Trail of 100 Giants: One of the best easy hikes in California, this 1.3-mile paved loop trail among the Long Meadow Grove giant sequoias is accessible to all visitors regardless of ability or mobility. Ten miles south of Quaking Aspen along the Western Divide Highway, the trail is conveniently located across the road from Redwood Meadow Campground. Parking is $5 and campsites are $18/night.

• Dome Rock: Another relatively easy hike, this five-minute uphill walk brings hikers to a wide panorama of the Western Divide Country, the canyon of the Kern River and the granite formation known as the Needles. About three miles south of Quaking Aspen along the Western Divide Highway, this left turn can be hard to spot as the sign is only visible if you are driving the opposite direction. If you go too far, flip around and you'll see it.

• Tule River: This isn't one of California's major rivers, but the drive up Highway 190 through the river's steep canyon is quite scenic. On warm days the river provides nice places to cool off. The parking fee is $10. If you swim or wade, be extremely careful. All rivers are dangerous.

• Jordan Peak: Our usually-reliable guidebook stated: "The peak is covered with microwave equipment." We were pleasantly surprised to find this untrue. The moderate 60-foot climb to the top brought us to a stupendous view of both the Western Divide Country and the San Joaquin Valley. Visitors are welcome at the fire lookout tower from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Friday through Tuesday.

• Sequoia Groves: The McIntyre Grove is located just beyond Camp Nelson. Follow the signs through town to the Belknap Campground. The trail through this magnificent grove starts beyond campsites 4 and 5. This is a magnificent old-growth grove with many large sequoias. Campsites are $18/night.

The Black Mountain Grove takes a bit more driving but is about as "off the beaten path" as you can get. Even the locals we talked to didn't know how to find it. From the Camp Nelson exit, follow the signs for Coy Flat Campground. Continue past the campground on Forest Road 21S94 for about 4 ½ miles. At the junction with 21S12, turn right and continue for over five miles along a mountainside landscape interspersed with sequoias.

Adam Blauert can be reached at adamblauert@yahoo.com.