Awesome! That is the best one-word description of Krista Simonic of Sequoia Guides I can imagine. But the superlatives would keep on flowing if I thought that would be enough. It isn’t. Krista is a young lady that never met a stranger. Personable? Absolutely. But the real treat you get when you use Sequoia Guides is knowledge. Krista grew up in the area and, as she said, used the park and forest as her playground. She is a virtual encyclopedia of knowledge regarding the trees, wildlife, and history of the park. We split open a fir tree needle and enjoyed the aroma, we learned about the history of the Buffalo Soldiers and their stewardship of the Park, we learned how to tell where a ground squirrel had breakfast, we now know why giant sequoias endure fire, we know what a fire scar is, we saw a virtually hollow sequoia that still thrives, we know why and how some sequoias grow together (twin trees), we know why sequoia branches seem to always start many feet up the tree, we got some sequoia seeds to take home, we saw a marmot because she knows where they live, we now know the “scat song” (I bet you don’t )and so much more. We learned more in 6 short hours and had the most fascinating time with Krista. But wait, there’s more!
Krista also provides an absolutely breathtaking star gazing adventure. Have you seen satellites moving across the night sky? Do you know the area of the sky that planets can be seen? Can you spot those ever-moving constellations? Do you know the myths behind the constellations? Do you have your very own Planisphere and know how to use it? Do you know just how fascinating the night sky is when you are informed? This young lady knows all of it and she shares with such enthusiasm that you are brought into her world while laying back and being amazed with her knowledge of the sky.
I could go on and on and you would probably stop reading. But this one thing you need to know. If you don’t use Sequoia guides when visiting Sequoia National Park you are missing one of life’s best experiences. I mean that sincerely.