Kings Canyon National Park - Mark Twain Stump
Gigantic tree stump
There is a place in the park where the visitor can probably best imagine the enormity of the redwoods. It is the stump of the Mark Twain tree, which is located in a clearing under the road about 250 meters from the entrance to the Grant Grove section of the park.
The original giant tree
In this place stood one of the largest sequoia trees in the world, which was named after the American writer and humorist Mark Twain. The tree had a height of 91.4 meters and was cut down in 1891 for the needs of the American Museum of Natural History.
It took a total of 13 days to fell such a huge tree.
World famous
In 1891, this gigantic tree was chosen to be shown to the world. The tree was felled and two slabs were cut from the trunk. These were split up so they could be taken away. They were subsequently taken to museums in New York and London. Visitors could thus get to know the giants up close for the first time and ö about whom only news circulated. Everyone was amazed and couldn't believe their eyes.
A cut of the tree can still be seen in a museum in New York.
Visitor attraction
Today, the redwood stump is one of the main attractions of Kings Canyon National Park. It can be climbed by stairs and from the top offers a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside. There is also an information board on site that provides information about the tree and its history.
