Mariposa Grove – Yosemite – Hiking California

Mel and I will hike into the southwest corner of Yosemite National Park from our new staging accommodation in Oakhurst, California.  Following an early morning breakfast, the 12 mile (19.2 KM) commute is a twenty-minute drive north on the twisting, turning Highway 41 past Fish Camp to the south entrance of Yosemite National Park.  An immediate right turn will take us on narrow, twisting and winding road to the parking area for Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.  Very big trees.

At the trailhead we purchase the little map/guide which is inexpensive and available in several languages.  This becomes an important acquisition, otherwise it is likely we would still be there, wandering aimlessly through a maze of intersecting trails interspersed with confusing signage.  Be forewarned: all the trails are not on the map.

Near the beginning is a root system from a Giant Sequoia toppled by wind centuries ago.

Major forest fires have  swept through the forest many times over the past two thousand years.  The Giant Sequoias show amazing resilience in spite of serious damage.  They have unique methods of survival under duress which is impressive but not always successful.

The Fallen Monarch - Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias - Yosemite National Park, California

In the Lower Grove, at trail beginning, the route past the Fallen Monarch leads to the group of four giant sequoias called the Bachelor and Three Graces.

The Bachelor and Three Graces - Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias - Yosemite National Park, California

The Grizzly Giant is estimated to be about 1,800-years-old.  To put its size in perspective, the bottom limb of the Grizzly Giant is nearly 7 ft (2 metres) in diameter which is larger than the diameter of the trunk of any other non-sequoia tree in Mariposa Grove.   The Grizzly Giant has a volume of 34,010 cubic feet (963 m³), and is counted as the 26th largest tree in the world.  This tree is 210 feet (64 m) tall, and has a heavily buttressed base with a basal circumference of 28 m (92 ft) or a diameter of 30 feet (9.1 m).  Above the buttresses at 2.4 meters above ground, the circumference is only 23 m.  The tree is huge and the seeds of the massive cones serve as food for squirrels.

The Grizzly Giant - Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias - Yosemite National Park, California. Can you find the squirrel?

This little guy is finishing off a giant sequoia cone at the base of the Grizzly Giant.

Nearby is the California Tunnel Tree, channeled in 1895 to allow horse-drawn carriages to pass through as a tourist attraction.  It is one of two trees which were tunneled and the only one left standing.  Interspersed among interconnecting foot trails is a paved trail for trams to navigate tourists in open wagons with bench seats, towed by a truck through the grove.  Interpretive narration is provided and we did not find this overly intrusive.  The service provides people unable to walk significant distance to experience more and learn more of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.

The California Tunnel Tree - Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias - Yosemite National Park, California

Mel provides perspective at the California Tunnel Tree - Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.

A typical example of the trail we are hiking. Elevation change is a moderate, fluctuating rise.

The Faithful Couple Tree provides evidence of the Sequioas’ ability to survive for multiple millenniums.  The trees can merge together to share strength.  Underground, their root systems are broad (can be more than 150 ft; 45 meters) and shallow (usually less than 6 ft; 2 m) to efficiently collect precious and often very limited moisture required to sustain these massive, natural structures.  Root systems can also join to optimize mutual benefit.

The Faithful Couple - Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias - Yosemite National Park, California, USA

The Faithful Couple has a single base which divides into two separate trees.

The Telescope Tree is living testament to the damage a Giant Sequoia can endure from fire damage and continue to survive.

The Telescope Tree - Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias - Yosemite National Park, California, USA

The nearby Clothespin Tree is another example of the Giant Sequoia’s capacity to endure multiple forest fires over hundreds of years. The opening in this tree is wider than a car.  Size can be very deceptive in this magnificent forest.

The Clothespin Tree - Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias - Yosemite National Park, California, USA

A long view of the Clothespin Tree and neighbour from the opposite side.

Mel and I cross the paved tram route and hike into a magnificent forest to visit the Mariposa Grove Museum, constructed in 1930 and restored in 1983, on the site where Galen Clark, an influential and historic figure, built a small cabin in 1864.  Did you know Abraham Lincoln signed an Act of Congress on June 30, 1864 ceding Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley to the State of California?  Disagreement over land administration led to the State returning the Grove to federal control with the establishment of Yosemite National Park in 1890.

Approaching the Mariposa Grove Museum - Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias - Yosemite National Park

Galen's Hospice is now the site of the Mariposa Grove Museum in Yosemite National Park

Mariposa Grove Museum - Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias - Yosemite national Park, California

From the Mariposa Grove Museum we hike to the famous and now fallen Wawona Tunnel Tree.  It is likely many millions of people drove or walked through the tunnel cut into the tree between 1881 and 1969 when the giant, but weakened, tree collapsed under the burden of a record snowfall.

Wawona Tunnel Tree - Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias - Yosemite National Park, California, USA

The fallen Wawona Tunnel Tree - Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias - Yosemite National Park, California

The fallen Wawona Tunnel Tree - Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias - Yosemite National Park, California

From the fallen Wawona Tunnel Tree, Mel and I hike an unlikely and more difficult route than necessary to arrive at the old and partially reclaimed, paved road to Winona Point Vista at the north edge of Mariposa Grove for a spectacular view towards Wawona Dome and the valley beyond.  At the viewpoint, we are about 3 miles (4.8 KM) from the parking area but we have hiked farther than that by covering a variety of trail options.  The parking area beginning elevation is 5,600 ft (1,707 m) and at Winona Point Vista the elevation is 6,810 ft (2,076 m).

The old, partially reclaimed, road to Wawona Point Vista - Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias

The hazy view from Winona Point Vista - Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite National Park

We return from Winona Point Vista by the same paved road and meet the original trail complex at the Galen Clark Tree.  Galen Clark entered the grove in 1857 and remained in the area as a guide and protector of this amazing natural resource.  Abraham Lincoln took time in 1864, during the Civil War to allocate Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley as a protected State of California Reserve.  Galen Clark lived long enough to experience Yosemite National Park created in 1890 and Mariposa Grove added in 1906.

The Galen Clark Tree - Notice the cone I have placed on top of the marker. It is about 15 inches (38 cm) long.

Mel and I decide to hike back on the longer and more remote Outer Loop Trail.  This turns out to be an excellent decision.  We have the much more diverse forest basically to ourselves.  It is incredibly beautiful with evidence of many burns and new growth of oak, cedar and maple.

Typical trail through the Upper Grove on the Outer Loop Trail. Amazing diversity in landscape.

Mel and I name this one the Harry Potter Tree. A photo essay could be done on the Outer Loop Trail alone.

On the home stretch, Mel and I head through the Lower Grove of Mariposa Grove to the parking area

The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is an excellent hiking experience.  Mel and I are here in mid-September.  It is much busier than expected.  Our early arrival gets us one of the few remaining parking spots.  The arrival area is very busy with throngs of people.  The farther we hike away from the parking area, the less busy it becomes.  The Outer Loop is a quiet, peaceful wilderness experience.  The Giant Sequoias are impressive and majestic.  Mariposa Grove is one of three groves in Yosemite National Park.