The geology of Kings Canyon is amazing.  The backdrop is the high sierras at over 9000 feet.  Nearer, uplifts, lava flows and major plate tilting have mangled an ancient lakebed.  Limestone and sandstone now form jagged mountains which are dotted with granite domes, pierced by granite wedges and knifed through by lava-formed dikes.  The middle and south forks of the King River have sliced through this jumble to create steep walled narrow canyons.  Yucca and desert live oak sprout from cracks and ledges along near vertical walls.  We hiked a bit but stuck to leisurely river side strolls (with a bit of rock hopping).  Many of the trails take off steeply up or down to provide the gateway to vast wilderness areas.  It would be a lot of work to back country travel around here.