Sequoia Crest, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sequoia Crest
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Location in Tulare County and the state of California
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 Sequoia Crest, California
Location in California
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Tulare |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.022 sq mi (2.647 km2) |
| • Land | 1.022 sq mi (2.647 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 7,008 ft (2,136 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 24 |
| • Density | 23.5/sq mi (9.07/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 2585447 |
Sequoia Crest is a special kind of community in Tulare County, California. It's called a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's a place where people live that isn't officially a city or town, but the government still counts its population.
Sequoia Crest is famous for its giant trees. More than 150 Giant Sequoias are spread throughout the area. It sits high up in the mountains, about 7,008 feet (2,136 meters) above sea level. In 2020, 24 people lived here. You can reach Sequoia Crest by driving 41 curvy miles from Porterville.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Early Days and Logging
Long ago, before California became a state, the Yokuts Native American people used to set up summer camps in a nearby area called Hossack Meadow.
The land where Sequoia Crest now stands was once a "school section." This was a special piece of land sold by the government. The money from these sales helped build and run schools in the late 1800s.
In 1944, a man named Claud Rouch bought this land. He planned to use it for logging. His son, "Sonny" Rouch, built the first road into Sequoia Crest after World War II. This road helped with the logging work. Sonny Rouch harvested a lot of timber. However, he made sure not to cut down any of the Giant Sequoias. He wanted to save these amazing trees for everyone to enjoy in the future.
Protecting Giant Trees
The Sequoia Crest community started in 1955. It was built on about 200 acres of the land Rouch owned. A water system was also built to serve all the homes. So far, about 100 homes have been built in Sequoia Crest.
On December 30, 2019, an organization called Save The Redwoods bought a special area. This area is called the Alder Grove. It includes the famous Stagg Tree. The Stagg Tree is the fifth-largest Giant Sequoia in the world by its trunk size. It used to be the biggest Giant Sequoia on private land. Save The Redwoods plans to give this land to the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Visitors can see the Stagg Tree where Alder Drive and Redwood Drive meet.
The Sequoia Complex Fire
On September 13, 2020, a large wildfire called the SQF Complex / Castle Fire affected Sequoia Crest. Nearly half of the homes in the community were burned. Records show that 49 houses were completely destroyed. Two homes were damaged, but 56 homes were not harmed. Important buildings for services like electricity and water were also damaged or destroyed.
Other nearby communities, Alpine Village and Cedar Slope, also lost many homes. The Alder Creek Grove of sequoias, where Sequoia Crest is located, was heavily damaged. About one-third of the grove was severely burned. Luckily, the famous Stagg Tree was not harmed by the fire.
Nature and Location
Where is Sequoia Crest?
Sequoia Crest is surrounded by beautiful nature. It is next to the Giant Sequoia National Monument, Sequoia National Forest, and the Golden Trout Wilderness. Because it's so close to wild areas, people often see animals. Bears, mountain lions, foxes, and coyotes sometimes pass through the community.
The entire area of Sequoia Crest covers about 1.0 square mile (2.6 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Weather in the Mountains
Sequoia Crest is special because it's the only neighborhood built entirely inside a Sequoia Grove. This grove is called the Alder Creek Grove. The community is located at an elevation between 6,500 and 7,000 feet (1,981 and 2,134 meters).
In winter, snow falls often. This snow helps create the large snowpack in the High Sierra mountains. Summers are usually mild and pleasant. However, like in all mountain areas, the weather can change quickly. It might even hail or snow unexpectedly at any time of year.
Life in Sequoia Crest
Who Lives Here?
In 2010, the population of Sequoia Crest was 10 people. By 2020, it had grown to 24 people. Most people who live here own their homes.
Sequoia Crest is mainly a place for vacations. More people visit on summer weekends and during holidays throughout the year. Some homes are lived in full-time, but many are used as vacation getaways.
Getting Around and Services
You can get to Sequoia Crest using Redwood Drive. This road is open in all types of weather and connects to State Highway 190. During winter, Tulare County crews plow the snow from Redwood Drive and the roads within Sequoia Crest every day.
Electricity is provided by Edison. Getting satellite TV and internet can be tricky here. The many tall trees, including the Giant Sequoias, can block the satellite signals. Cell phone service is also limited because of the mountain terrain. Landline phone service is available through AT&T. After the 2020 fire, telephone, electricity, and internet services were improved. Cell phone service is still a bit spotty.
The Sequoia Crest Property Owners Association was created in 1973. This group helps manage things for the property owners in the community.
See also
In Spanish: Sequoia Crest (California) para niños
