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Belknap Complex
Map showing the location of Belknap Complex
Map showing the location of Belknap Complex
Location in California
Geography
Location Tulare County, California, United States
Coordinates 36°08′07″N 118°35′05″W / 36.13528°N 118.58472°W / 36.13528; -118.58472
Ecology
Dominant tree species Sequoiadendron giganteum

The Belknap Complex, sometimes referred to as Belknap Grove, is a complex of three giant sequoia groves located in the Tule River watershed of Giant Sequoia National Monument, just south of Camp Nelson, California. It is formed from the larger McIntyre Grove and Wheel Meadow Grove, and the smaller Carr Wilson Grove. The grove is home to a rich collection of old-growth giant sequoias spread out over 4,666 acres (18.88 km2). The grove is fairly easy to reach by car given its close proximity to Highway 190. Forest Trail 31E30 meanders through the heart of the complex.

Noteworthy trees

Some trees of special note found within the complex include:

  • The Patriarch Tree: The largest tree in the grove with a volume of 30,020 cubic feet (850 m3). The tree is unusually short for a giant sequoia but has a trunk with a diameter of 72.6 feet (22.1 m).
  • Near Gutless Tree: Second largest tree in grove with a volume of 26,737 cubic feet (757.1 m3).
  • Gutless Goliath: Remnants of a once larger tree, but still 26,564 cubic feet (752.2 m3) in volume.
  • The Kathryn Tree: a giant sequoia tree with exceptionally large limbs.
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