Snowshoeing in Sequoia

Winter transforms this majestic wooded landscape into a peaceful wilderness.

- Michael Westbeld

There’s an old cliché that in California, you can visit the mountains, beach or desert within a two-hour drive, and that’s certainly true of our little town of Tehachapi. While we love to explore all of our state’s diverse landscapes, my partner Suzi and I most often find ourselves drawn to the Sierra Nevada mountain range. And our favorite destination is Sequoia National Park.

In any season, it is hard to beat the majestic forests there. But the park is very busy in summer, and winter offers a completely different atmosphere. Facilities are limited in the off-season, and as a result the crowds that distract your attention and challenge your efforts to find solitude are gone. The land reverts back to a secluded wilderness.

Craving some peaceful outdoor recreation, Suzi and I decided that snowshoeing along the park’s higher-elevation trails would be the perfect escape.