THREE RIVERS/SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK/HUME LAKE
Sentinel — 43rd largest Sequoia in the world; Giant Forest Grove, Sequoia National Park
TAKING THE SLOW WAY TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
In late spring we were invited to a surprise 40th birthday party in northern California for Kyle’s childhood friend, Andy. We went back and forth for a bit about what we should do—if Kyle should fly up north alone or if we both go and leave the girls at home. We landed on us all going, but taking our leisurely time by breaking up the 9 hour drive into a couple nights of camping along the way.
As we were mapping out our drive to Auburn, we decided to camp in Three Rivers and then head into Sequoia National Park for a bit.
THREE RIVERS
My childhood best friend’s family owned a cabin in Three Rivers. I have so many happy memories of spending long weekends there. A creek ran near the cabin and we would spend hours exploring. They also kept a boat at the cabin so we could tube on Lake Kaweah. I remember being in awe of my friend’s mom, Kim, as she would gracefully slalom ski around the lake. On our way back home, we always made a stop at Reimer’s Candies & Ice Cream.
THREE RIVERS HIDEAWAY
For our first night, we camped along the Kaweah River—its three forks feed into Lake Kaweah. Three Rivers Hideway with tent and RV sites is located just south of the entrance to Sequoia National Park. Our campsite was next to a nice couple from upstate New York who were on a months long cross country roadtrip in their travel trailer.
As soon as we parked, we headed to the river to try and get a few minutes of play in before the sun went down.
In the morning we made one of our go-to camp breakfasts: egg sandwiches.
Driving to the entrance of Sequoia National Park.
SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK
We wanted to make sure and give the girls some time to swim at Hume Lake (our next campsite), so we did a short hike through the Giant Forest Grove at Sequoia National Park before heading next to Hume.
When out camping we try and expose our girls to as much hiking exploration as possible, while also not overdoing it. Like most things with parenting, it feel like such a balancing act—how to push them to try more, go for longer, and also keeping it fun and motivating so the girls will want to come back and hike again. I have no magic formula for durations and distances when hiking with young kids. Kyle and I have landed on the approach that we want to keep it fun for all of us. Just as knowledge is cumulative, we are hopeful each time they are exposed to the outdoors it is building on the previous experience and their interest and confidence is only growing.
There is so much three year old in this photo. Indy knew we were going swimming next so she was less enthusiastic about hiking among the giant sequoias.
HUME LAKE CAMPGROUND
In the summer of 2022, while beginning our research into whether or not we wanted to purchase an RV, we rented our friends’ van and “test-drove” it camping at Hume Lake. Since that summer we have camped several times in our van at Hume. We like the campground’s beautiful location in the Sierra Nevada, easy access to the Lake, and short walking distance to the amenities at Hume Lake Christian Conference Center (no affiliation with the campground, but its general store, snack shop and boathouse rentals are open to the public). Kyle grew up going to church camp at the conference center, worked a couple summers here in college, and his dad was VP for a few years while Kyle and I were dating, so this area very much feels like home to Kyle.
As soon as we got to Hume, the girls were getting into their bathing suits for the Lake. It was too chilly in May for me, but Monet, Indy and Kyle were all about it.
One of the highlights for me at Hume Lake is the three mile (mostly dirt) trail that goes around the lake. I have run and walked this trail so many times over the past 13 years. It is sweet to now have the girls cruising on their balance bikes around the trail.
The girls love the trail and the lake, but they also equally love the Hume Lake Snack Shop and the ice cream treats they know are sold there.
You can book sites at Hume Campground 6 months out on a rolling basis. The summer (and especially weekends) are harder to get last minute. This is a campground you want to book at least a couple months out.
AUBURN
After our time at Hume Lake, we drove 4.5 hours and arrived in Auburn in time to get showers and changed for Andy’s surprise birthday party. Andy’s parents were so kind to volunteer to watch our girls along with their own grandkids so us adults could go to the party. Our girls had a blast at their house and stayed up until 11pm watching Disney movies with the rest of the kids. This was the latest our girls had stayed up by about 3 hours, but it was memory-making for them.
Can’t believe this is in only photo we took at Andy’s 40th Birthday Party…I know there are plenty more photos on other people’s cameral rolls, but this is what we got.
We stayed over at Andy and La Ray’s house that night and Indy (our morning girl) was up at 6am like clockwork. An extra late night is never stopping this girl! We had a sweet morning eating waffles with Andy, La Raye and their precious daughter, Arrow, before we got on the road to start the trek home.
Leaving Auburn we decided to take the pretty way home (and avoid the 5 FWY as much as possible). True to form we drove the roundabout way heading towards Mammoth.
The girls both slept for over 2.5 hours in the van as we drove (the late night caught up with them). We stopped at Walker Burger in Coleville for lunch. Walker is a cute old burger and milkshake stand right on the highway. While on trips we definitely have more treats than when at home. We want our trips to feel special and food (for better or worse…I have no idea) plays a role in forming those core memories and associations.
MAMMOTH
We got in some park play at one of our favorite parks in Mammoth in the afternoon. This was a long day of driving for the girls, so we tired to break it up as much as we could. Their long naps before lunch helped.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Spending time in Three Rivers after something like 25 years
Playing along Lake Kaweah at sunset
The ease and familiarity when camping at Hume Lake
Getting to surprise and celebrate Andy on his 40th
The girls having such sweet play time with their friend, Arrow
LOWLIGHTS:
Long drive home on Sunday
Still learning when to encourage the girls to keep going while hiking and when to stop so they will want to hike again next time