The Congress Group [Suggest Edits]

Description

At the southern end of Congress Trail is the most spectacular grouping of sequoia trees to be found anywhere. The governance-themed area within the Giant Forest grove contains two sequoia clusters known as the House and the Senate, and the grove contains several of the largest trees on earth. The House and Senate each have about a dozen sequoias in close proximity, and there is only a few minutes hike between the two groves. The Senate is especially lovely from late-morning through early-afternoon as sunbeams streak through the trees making for one of the best photo opportunities in Sequioa.

While not a part of the House or the Senate, the biggest trees excepting General Sherman are a part of the Congress Group. By the Senate, you'll find the President Tree, sort-of named after the unpopular President Harding and the world's second largest tree by volume (or fourth depending on who you ask), and the mighty, brown Chief Sequoia (currently the 27th largest tree). By the House you can find the Mckinley and Lincoln trees, which each are among the 5 largest trees by volume, as well as the relatively smaller giants named after Franklin, Washington, and a Confederate general.

The cliche is you hurt your neck by looking up so much, but I can't argue with it. The Congress Group is a unique spot in a place already unlike any other.

Short Walk: Hike almost 1 mile south on either way down the Congress Trail or north 2.5 miles from Crescent Meadow along the Giant Forest Loop Trail.

Family Friendly: Three of five of the largest trees in the world are only a short hike from General Sherman.

Gem Type: Other