A place to explore the natural setting (geology, flora & fauna), people, constructed infrastructure and historical events that play and have played a part in shaping the Sierra Nevada as we know it today.
I never knew about the history behind it. Passed it many times. Drove Westgaard Pass last year coming from Vegas (there is a stretch of one lane through a solid area) and stopped at the Indian interpretive site on the Owens side; but never knew why the tree. Thought it had to do with a teaser for the Bristlecone Pine area,
I always look for it and point out to new people in our group as being a Giant Sequoia. I never heard the history either. Thanks for sharing.
"On this proud and beautiful mountain we have lived hours of fraternal, warm and exalting nobility. Here for a few days we have ceased to be slaves and have really been men. It is hard to return to servitude."
-- Lionel Terray
Hopefully I don’t highjack too much thunder from Big Pine. But……next time yalls driving through Lee Vining, swing into the Nicely’s parking lot. There is one of three Giant Sequoias that my great grandfather planted in Lee vining I think back in the 30s. When I was a kid there were two trees growing just fine. Mono County attempted to transplant one of the trees out of the parking lot when the current owner of Nicleys (not Edna Nicely) threatened to chop down the trees to expand the parking lot. The tree that was transplanted to the Hess Park in Lee Vining obviously didn’t make it. The other tree was spared due to public outcry and still stands today. It makes a good community Christmas Tree and is celebrated in Lee Vining every year. The third tree is a bit of a secret, but is located in an undisclosed location on the Lake View Lodge property. So, Lee Vining has two live Giant Sequoias at the moment of which my great grandfather planted. Come check em out!