Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia Trees
[Suggest Edits]
Description
The Mariposa Grove is the largest stand of giant sequoias in Yosemite. It is also the most accessible of the three groves in the national park. This is a wonderful place to hike on wide, shady paths while gaping at the towering behemoths all around you. Many of the iconic trees have been named, and it is almost like a treasure hunt to try to visit them all. The trails through the lower grove that are closest to the parking area receive the most traffic so if you're looking for more peace and quiet, head uphill to the even more scenic upper grove.
Informative signs explain the fascinating lifecycle of these trees and the history of this area. Extensive clear cut logging operations almost doomed these trees. We have early conservationists to thank for their existence today. Giant sequoias are the largest species of trees in the world by volume. An average giant sequoia can grow to be a thousand years old and more than twenty feet across. These unique trees grow only in California on the west side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and only between 5,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation. There are not many of these trees left in the world, so don't leave Yosemite without paying them a visit.
NOTE: The Mariposa Grove closed on July 6, 2015, for restoration, and isn't expected to open again until the spring of 2017. See details of the Mariposa Grove Restoration here: nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/…
Short Hike: The road to the Mariposa Grove is not plowed in winter and is often closed to cars (but not to hikers or skiers) from approximately November through March/April depending on the snowpack.
Family Friendly: Bet the kids have never seen trees this big! It is fun for them to find the named trees and a great place to instill conservation ethics. If the little ones get tired, you can also hop on the tram.
Gem Type: Other
You & This Gem
Your Rating: |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Your Favorites: | Add to Favorites · Your List |
Check-Ins
Nearby Gems
Nearby Trails
7.0
mi
11.2
km
Chilnualna Falls Trail
Midpines, CA
|
Midpines, CA |
Unknown
Update
|
22
|
||
2.9
mi
4.6
km
Lewis Creek Trail
Oakhurst, CA
|
Oakhurst, CA |
|
17
|
||
3.3
mi
5.3
km
Grand Tour of Sequoias in Mariposa Grove
Oakhurst, CA
|
Oakhurst, CA |
Unknown
Update
|
15
|
||
8.0
mi
12.8
km
Dewey Point
Yosemite Valley, CA
|
Yosemite Valley, CA |
Unknown
Update
|
8
|
||
4.3
mi
6.9
km
Graveyard of Giants Trail
Oakhurst, CA
|
Oakhurst, CA |
Unknown
Update
|
1
|
||
0.6
mi
1.0
km
Grizzly Giant Trail
Oakhurst, CA
|
Oakhurst, CA |
|
11
|
||
3.1
mi
4.9
km
Quartz Mountain Trailhead to Chain Lakes Trail
Yosemite Valley, CA
|
Yosemite Valley, CA |
Unknown
Update
|
2
|
||
7.0
mi
11.2
km
Alder Creek Trail
Midpines, CA
|
Midpines, CA |
Unknown
Update
|
2
|
||
11.4
mi
18.3
km
Glacier Point Road Winter Snowshoe Trail
Yosemite Valley, CA
|
Yosemite Valley, CA |
Minor Issues
Update
Mostly Dry, Some Mud - Trail is quite skiable today but will be hanging on if warm weather continues. Currently a thin powder layer from Tuesday's snow (4" they say) over solid but not too icy base. Bare and mushy patches once the trail turns north at Clark Range View and aligns with the southernly sun. Better conditions closer in, where the trail is mainly east/west, even to the point of the powder being a little annoying. Lots of boot traffic all across the skate ski lanes - signage along the trail, not just the current small one at the start - would help. Many people using the trail up to the Summit Meadow trailhead, then had visual with maybe just a half dozen people the rest of the way out. On the way back saw a couple of athletic badasses on a fast t-shirt and shorts full out and back, as well as 15-20 people with backpacks or sleds on their way out to camp. The parties with sleds were not doing well - that's a more difficult way to travel, and does not seem to be a good solution for having too much/too bulky gear.
82 days ago
|
2
|
||
2.0
mi
3.3
km
Washburn Trail
Oakhurst, CA
|
Oakhurst, CA |
Unknown
Update
|
3
|
0 Comments