Crystal Cave, Narrow passage between entrance and Junction Room. Interior Formations.

Sequoia National Park is a national park located in the southern Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. The park was established in 1890 and is named for the giant sequoia trees that grow in the park. The park covers an area of over 404,000 acres and is home to a number of different plant and animal species, including the giant sequoia trees, which are the largest trees in the world by volume. The park is known for its scenic beauty and offers a range of recreational activities, including hiking, camping, and fishing. The park is also home to several important historical and cultural sites, including the Giant Forest Museum and the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree in the world. Giant Sequoia National Monument, created in 2000, encompasses 512 square miles (1,326 square km) of Sequoia National Forest, which is adjacent to the national parks. The monument’s two parts, separated by Sequoia National Park, preserve most of the remaining groves of big trees not already federally protected. Adjoining it to the north and northwest is Kings Canyon National Park, and on the eastern boundary is Mount Whitney, it is administered jointly with Kings Canyon National Park. The largest big tree in the park is known as the General Sherman Tree and is thought to be 2,300 to 2,700 years old. Although the General Sherman Tree, 274.9 feet (83.8 meters) high, is not as tall as some of the California coast redwoods, and its circumference at its base (102.6 feet, or 31.3 meters) is not as great as that of a cypress growing near Oaxaca, Mexico, it is, in terms of volume, the world’s largest living thing. It stands in a section of the park called the Giant Forest, an area of about 5 square miles (13 square km) with many groves of big trees. Besides the big trees, plants present in the park include such smaller trees as incense cedars, sugar pines, white firs, and ponderosa pines, as well as various shrubs and wildflowers in the meadows. Animal life includes black bears, mule deer, gray foxes, squirrels and other small mammals.

The Cave of the Crystals (Cueva de los Cristales) is a breathtaking cave located in Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico. It's famous for its extraordinary selenite crystals, some of which are among the largest ever discovered. The cave was accidentally discovered in 2000 by miners working in the Naica Mine, which is known for its extensive lead, zinc, and silver deposits. The cave's environment is extreme, with temperatures reaching up to 58°C (136°F) with 90-99% humidity, making it almost uninhabitable for humans without proper protective gear. The conditions inside the cave are a result of the magma chamber beneath, which also provides the heat necessary for the growth of these massive crystals over thousands of years. The selenite crystals found in the Cave of the Crystals can be several meters long and weigh several tons. They are translucent and have a striking appearance, resembling giant icicles. The largest crystal found in the cave is estimated to be around 12 meters (39 feet) in length and weighs approximately 55 tons.

Nothing Found.