Who's Ready to Climb a Giant Granite Dome?

I work in a building with 5 floors. Since I love hiking and being outdoors, I frequently take the stairs to help me prepare for those inclined treks. This is also some of the only "normal" exercise I get with my busy schedule.

So, this should probably help me climb the steps of Moro Rock, right?

Climb with me and let's see! :)

(Note: This post contains multiple 30 second videos with camera movement. Motion sick peeps beware!)

If you're planning a trip to Sequoia National Park in California anytime soon, Moro Rock, towering thousands of feet over the landscape, will be one of the first sights you see.

This monolith, made of granite, is about one mile from the entrance of the Giant Forest Museum on Moro Rock/Crescent Meadow Road.

This can be a very busy location at certain times. We visited in the July/August timeframe and happened to come through on a weekday when private vehicles are permitted. On weekends, a shuttle bus is provided which can be helpful as the parking lot fills up quickly.

It doesn't take long to appreciate the beauty of this place. On arrival, scanning the vast landscape, there is so much to take in, so much to see and be overcome by.

But as the old saying goes, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

-Lao Tzu

And by single step...I mean 350.

Per the National Park Service website, the incline up is about 0.5 miles with time spans for completion within 20 minutes to one hour.

Well, time to get started!

As we climb, I'll tell you more about Moro Rock.

Moro Rock is about 23 million years old.

It used to be part of a volcano.

Seeing the landscape as it is now, this is slightly difficult to fathom. What an impressive lone survivor!

Heads up - Don't look down!

An important consideration on nature's version of the "stair master," please stay on the trail...and don't be here when it's lightning!

Resuming the incline!

Some portions of the stairway are quite narrow and can only fit one explorer at a time. It's helpful to look ahead for any oncoming traffic before proceeding.

And you know how hikers are when you ask them how much further.

The universal answer is... "Hang in there - You're almost there!"

Lies.

Additional safety tips:

-Be prepared for the incline.

-Take breaks like we did and bring plenty of water!

-Use the restroom before beginning the trek.

-Wear sunscreen on a sunny day. I burn easily and usually wear some kind of sleeves, but on that incline, I warmed up quickly!

-It's windy :)

Safety tips continued:

-The drop offs are steEP. Fall and you could die.

-This would be a bad idea in the winter with icy steps. I already felt disoriented in stable weather.

-Please don't sit or climb on the guard rails for fox sake!

But anyway! Rejoice!

We made it!!!!

On top of MORO ROCK!!!!

The sights are beautiful, and if I wasn't already so breathless, they would quickly take my breath away.

With the vast wilderness at your sights to the east on a clear day, the view reaches about 100 miles over the Great Western Divide and San Joaquin Valley.

If you're planning a trip to Sequoia National Park and you see this lone stone of granite, stop by and explore! We loved Moro Rock and are glad we endured the climb.

Find out more here ----> https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/climb-moro-rock.htm

And because I like my posts to be a little inspiring along the way:

For my Sarah J. Maas fans - "Climb the mountain."

And my Jane Austen fans - "What are men to rocks and mountains?"

Chinese proverb - "No matter how tall the mountain is, it cannot block the sun."

And to my readers who may be struggling to keep going wherever you are in life:

"Hang in there - you're almost there!" ;)

Dr. V.