KEYWORDS: giant sequoias, dogwood, many berries, Indian bathtubs
ABOUT
Balch Park is a county park in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains of California that features a grove of Giant Sequoia trees that rivals the better known groves of nearby Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park. It also has archaeological sites (Indian bathtubs) relating to the early Native Americans of the area, and to the late 19th- and early 20th-century logging industry that cut down many of the big trees in the area
DIRECTIONS:
From Visalia 1. Head east on CA-198 E 10.8 mi 2. Turn right onto Yokohl Valley Rd 3. Turn right onto Balch Park Rd/Springville-Milo Rd 4. Follow the signs to Balch Park. To return via Porterville 1. Take Bear Creek Dr. to Balch Park Dr. to Springville, then follow CA-190 W to Porterville
TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT
Museum is worth a visit. Drive through the whole campground, it differs in places. Seasonal. Dogwoods best color in October. Snow closes the road.
TRAILS:
Balch Park Nature Trail: This one-mile trail will take you through nature without being too strenuous. Continue on the trail and you will learn about dogwoods, gooseberries and other trees. It will also take you past the other landmarks listed below. Hollow Log: This hollowed out Giant Sequoia tree now lays for tourists and hikers to walk (or crawl) through. At about 75 ft. long and 15 ft. in diameter, most people don?t have any trouble walking through. Lady Alice: Named after Alice Doyle, the wife of an early owner of Balch Park, this Giant Sequoia stands at 310 ft. and was originally named the largest tree in the world in the 1900s.
MORE INFORMATION AND CONTACTS
Tulare County Treasures Project:
Balch Park The largest trees in the world grow in the mountains that dominate the eastern half of Tulare County.
CalFire:
CAL FIRE Archaeology Program: Rock Basins in Mt. Home State Forest and Immediate Vicinity Curious large circular depressions in granite outcroppings in the Southern Sierra Nevada continue to fascinate everyone who sees them. These features, commonly known as rock basins, have also been referred to as Indian bathtubs, Indian basins, Indian washtubs, granite basins, Sierra rock basins, or potholes.
