SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST

forest in central California, U.S., at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada, just south of Sequoia National Park and extending from the Kings River (north) to the Mojave Desert (south). It has an area of 1,863 square miles (4,826 square km). Established in 1908, it was named for Sequoyah, creator of the Cherokee Indian alphabet. The forest provides timber, water, forage, wildlife habitat, and recreation. Notable features are giant sequoia (redwood) trees, Kern River and Kings River canyons, Boyden Cave, Balch Park, with its impressive grove of redwoods, and numerous mountain lakes and well-stocked trout streams. Dome Land Wilderness, a lofty region east of Bakersfield, contains numerous rock outcroppings. The forest is a popular hunting area, particularly for bear and mule deer. Headquarters are at Porterville.