The Sequoia and Kings Canyon region has a wealth of biodiversity, illustrated here. The mountainous alpine area features a glacial lake, above which a red-tailed hawk flies. Oak-land and chaparral (shrub-land) predominate in the foothills of the mountains, where the bobcat, California quail, lupine, and the yucca plant reside. Between these two biota is the unique sequoia forest where a bear navigates fires and rivers. Image created for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

When the earth’s climate cooled about 3 millions years ago, glaciers filled the Sierra Nevada range and moved downhill through existing channels carved out by streams and rivers. These massive fields of ice carved out the sides of the winding V-shaped river valleys into straight, U-shaped valleys. When the glaciers melted, they left behind the 1km wide broad valleys with very steep granite walls that characterize Yosemite Valley and Kings Canyon. Image created for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Glacier Filled King's Canyon National Park 3 million years ago

Glacier Carving of King's Canyon National Park

First sketch for King's Canyon Ecology

Sketch of glacier carving canyons