This December, our community will mark a milestone few traditions in America can claim: the 100th Annual Trek to the Nation’s Christmas Tree.

Nathan Magsig

Opinion

On Saturday, Dec. 14, families, veterans, church groups, and visitors from around the world will once again gather at the base of the Gen. Grant Tree in Kings Canyon National Park. This monarch of nature has stood for over 1,650 years, and reminds us of peace, gratitude, and the unbroken spirit of the Central Valley.

As someone who has spent my life working to preserve our region’s natural treasures while strengthening the communities that depend on them, the Trek holds a special meaning. It is more than a ceremony or a seasonal outing.

How the Nation’s Christmas Tree Came to Be

The story of the Trek began in 1924, when R.

See Full Page