General Sherman- The largest tree

KarlH's picture

Location

California
United States
36° 34' 54.156" N, 118° 45' 5.22" W
US
General info: 

The General Sherman is the largest tree in the world. It is not the tallest, oldest or widest but it is the largest tree by volume. General Sherman is both tall and large in diameter and, in particular, holds a large diameter high up the trunk. This is what results in biggest wood volume in the world.

Despite not breaking the record in other features, it is still among the tallest, widest and longest-lived of all trees on the planet. The tree is 2,300–2,700 years old with a height of 83.8 metres (275 ft), a diameter of 7.7 metres (25 ft) and an estimated bole volume of 1,487 cubic metres.

While the General Sherman is the largest currently living tree, it is not the largest tree known to humans. The Crannell Creek Giant, a coast redwood near Trinidad, California, is estimated to have been 15 to 25% larger than the General Sherman tree by volume. The tree was cut down in the mid-1940s.

Getting there: 

The General Sherman is located in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California. You can access the park from both sides of the mountains by car but to see the tree, you must choose the western side. Inside the park you can either use the freee shuttle bus to get to the tree or you can drive to the parking lot ½ mile from the tree. The trail from the parking lot to the tree goes downhill and has some stairs. Handicapped parking also available closer to the tree.

Costs: 

Entrance fees:
Vehicle Pass - valid 1 through 7 Day(s) - $20
Individual Entry Pass (by foot, bicycle, motorcycle) - valid 1 through 7 Day(s) - $10

You might be interested in

The rising mist of Victoria Falls can be seen more than 20 km away. Getting closer, you will hear the thunder of the falling water.

Gullfoss is an iconic waterfall in South Iceland offering a spectacular view of the forces and beauty of untouched nature. The waterfall is incredibly powerful with the highest flood measured at 2000 m³/s.

An unstoppable flow of rushing water surges over the edge with thunderous force. The mist rises for hundreds of meters as the waters collide.

The picturesque scene of the Jökulsárlón lagoon and the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier have been part of the James Bond films A View to a Kill (1985) and Die Another Day (2002).

Seljalandsfoss is a highly picturesque waterfall on the south coast of Iceland. The waterfall has ended up in many books and postcards about Iceland and it has become one of the most famous waterfalls in the country.

Gocta is perhaps the most interesting of the waterfalls we know today. Most of the biggest waterfalls of the world have been in general awareness for centuries already. Gocta however was known only by local villagers until 2005.

Interesting places nearby

Sierra Summit Mountain Resort is 65 miles northeast of Fresno and has 1,200 skiable acres. The resort boastd a vertical of around 1,600 feet and have nine lifts servicing the area.

Since its inception in 1946, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort has grown into its role as one of Lake Tahoe's largest resort areas. Sierra-at-Tahoe features 14 chairlifts that access 2000 acres of skiable terrain and 2,212 feet of vertical.

Powder Mountain, located in East Eden, Utah, has a ton of skiable acreage for skiers and snowboarders.

One of Idaho's oldest ski resorts, Pomerelle Mountain Resort has 500 skiable acres located in the Sawtooth National Forest.

Like a number of big time ski areas, Park City was once home to miners in search of precious metals. Today, a new breed of searcher comes looking for the area's legendary snow.

Northstar California offers an excellent family experience. The area boasts a vertical drop of 2,280 feet, its longest run is a thigh-taxing 1.3 miles long.