General Grant sequoia grove (August 25, 2021)

In 1872, the Gamlin brothers built this cabin on what was then their 160 acres of timber land and is now inside the protected Sequoia National Forest.

The brothers quartered here until 1878, grazing cattle in the mountains.  After the national park was established in 1890, the US Cavalry used the cabin as a storehouse.

The stump is all that is left of the giant sequoia that was 24 feet in diameter.  Two men spent 9 days cutting it down in 1875.  The outer shell of a 16-foot section of the tree was exhibited at the Philadelphia centennial in 1876.  Easterners couldn't believe a tree could be that huge and called it the "California hoax."

Tom is inside the downed giant sequoia, called the Fallen Monarch.  Native Americans used it as shelter.  From 1868-1870, it housed a hotel and saloon. The Gamlin brothers lived in it from 1868-1872.  In 1876, the US Cavalry used it as a stable for 32 horses.

Wildlife at the edge of the parking lot.  I wonder what kind of leaves the deer is nibbling?