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Yosemite the Beautiful
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Wild Wild West/Get Your Kicks On Rt. 66!
3 weeks, 5 people, 2 dogs and 1 small RV..what will happen? **these are somewhat…
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The Great Outdoors!
Things to see and do in nature, moving from west to east.
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Categories: Local Flavor Active Life Parks Local Flavor, Parks [Edit]
South Park Entrance on the Wawona Road, Hwy 41Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
33 reviews for Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
33 reviews in English
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Review from Davis T.
Irvine, CA
8/20/2011
Went over President's Day Weekend in January and snowshoed it. EPIC. The only downside was the 20 degree F weather. Definitely a crazy experience. There was virtually nobody there and since we stayed overnight, we were able to get to the places in the back where virtually nobody was. Huge trees, bathrooms (quality didn't matter), and trails. That's all I needed.
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Review from April B.
1/7/2012 8 photos
This is sooooo cool!!! BUT the only problem is it's hella far from Yosemite Valley!!!!! We actually stop by on the way in to Yosemite and spent a few hours looking at all the trees! I'm so glad we did!!! The scenary is just breath taking!! And the trees are HUGE and TALL!!!!!!!! It's nothing I have ever seen before!
Make sure to wear comfortable shoes! They have a tram you can take if you don't feel like walking because it is about a 4 mile walk around trip. I brought my purse with me and that was a bad idea! I didn't think we were gonna be walking THAT much and we did. Plus it was hot!! Make sure to stop by the tree that has a hole in it! I forget what it's called but It's the main attraction there. Pretty cool.
My recommendation is to either stop by Mariposa on the way in to Yosemite Valley or on the way home.Listed in: Yoooosemite!
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Review from Susanna W.
Palo Alto, CA
12/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Enjoyable, but when you're lucky enough to have the Muir Woods so close by as a bay area resident, Mariposa Grove becomes slightly less impressive.
There's no denying that there are some HUGE sequoias in this grove. They are beautiful and absolutely awe inspiring. But much of the rest of the grove is like any other redwood forest. Its nice to walk through, but I'm not sure it was entirely worth the extra 1.5hr drive from Yosemite Valley.
I do like that J and I were able to stroll/hike through much of the grove by ourselves. The solitude among the trees is wonderful. -
Review from jazzy l.
San Francisco, CA
9/26/2011
This is right off the South Entrance and about 4 miles from Wawona camp site.
Amazing giant Sequoia trees. My favorite was the "Grizzly Giant". Too bad I didn't want to/have enough time to hike all the way up to the museum.
They have a tram to bring passengers up the hill but we walked it. 3 to 4 miles I believe. Slight slope but not too bad. Pockets of shade. -
Review from Lei B.
6/9/2011 18 photos
First time I came here was back in 2009 and it felt a little different to me. I noticed they added wooden fences in some areas and also they were doing a lot of construction on some of the paths. Both times I didn't get to spend enough time to really explore the grove. We only stayed in the lower grove area up to the California Tunnel Tree. The Grizzly Giant is probably the main attraction here and it's right before the California Tunnel Tree. It's the oldest sequoia in the grove over 200 years old and it is massive!
This was our last stop in Yosemite before heading home. I think the drive was about 30-40 minutes from the Yosemite Valley. Next time I'd would definitely try and make time to explore the upper grove. Get there EARLY because parking is limited and it will get crowded!Listed in: Yosemite the Beautiful
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Review from King J'aime B.
Los Angeles, CA
9/18/2011 3 photos
Stunning stunning stunning. The tree tour guide told us that the seed of a sequoia is absolutely tiny (about the size of an oatmeal flake), but it grows to be one of the largest trees ever. God's design is so amazing. To protect from fire, the bark of each tree is about 2ft in thickness, also the first branches don't pop out for about 100ft up. The fires are a natural way of cleaning up / healing the forest, and bringing about new life. Each tree drops off about 400,000 seeds a year, but only a few make it.
There is a free bus that goes from the main parking area. But it takes about 2-3 hrs round trip (once you get to the Mariposa Grove, you walk - NO HIKE, and then come back down), so leave yourselves lotsa time to enjoy this place.
Wear comfy shoes. Bring snacks & drinks, for breaks on the benches. This little kid was enjoying pringles and let me tell you - BOY WAS I JEALOUS (I was snackless).
The well placed benches (if not too crowded) are a great spot to lay on your back and gaze up, watching the trees shake. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS 5-10 minutes of SOLITUDE! -
Review from Kimberly P.
Orange County, CA
5/1/2011
You'd be crazy not to like this place.
Sure, it gets crowded. But think of how awesome it is to wander around in a sanctuary of majestic trees that have been around for thousands of years. Yes, I said 1000s!
Truly a sight to be seen when in Yosemite. All I ask is that you don't litter and don't be stupid enough to carve your initials into these giants. -
Review from Caitlin C.
Boston, MA
7/18/2011
Hot and dusty in the middle of July to be sure, but man, this was totally worth it!
Since we have an RV, we had to park in Wawona like others have mentioned, but only had to wait a few minutes for a free hybrid shuttle to take us to the Groves. We ended up walking around ourselves, as the tram prices seemed kind of ridiculous ($25+ per adult) and really, it's never a bad thing to walk around and see everything as opposed to only seeing the things close to the road!
Overall, the place was gorgeous - it's hard to imagine that these beautiful trees are as old as they are and that they have lived through as much as they have! -
Review from Eric B.
3/25/2011
Mariposa Grove is a sequoia grove located near Wawona and at the extreme south end of the park. It is the largest grove of Giant Sequoias in the park, with several hundred mature examples of the tree. Two of them are among the 25 largest Giant Sequoias in the world.
The Mariposa Grove was first visited by non-natives in 1857 when Galen Clark and Milton Mann found it. They named the grove after Mariposa County, California, where the grove is located. The Giant Sequoia named Grizzly Giant is between probably 1900-2400 years old: the oldest tree in the grove. The Wawona Tree, had a tunnel cut through it in the nineteenth century that was wide enough for horse-drawn carriages and early automobiles to drive through. Weakened by the large opening at its base, the tree fell down in a storm in 1969. The Mariposa Grove is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Once I've parked the car, the walk through this grove is nothing short of inspirational once you go far enough back. The tranquil solitude is what being in a National Park is supposed to be. Not fighting the crowds within Yosemite Valley. I also like situations like this when nature makes me seem very small. -
Review from Carla C.
San Jose, CA
5/2/2011
Skip the crowds all together and go in the winter via snowshoe! I saw about 20 other people TOTAL outside of my snowshoeing group when we went in January.
Its a beautiful and angelic place to be. -
Review from Brinda J.
9/7/2011
I don't care what anyone says! This is a horrible trail and you don't even see any big trees except for a few. If you've been to Sequoia National Forest then skip this because this is totally a downer. Asked the ranger about this place, said there were huge trees everywhere. He didn't mention a 2 mile hike that is a 20% upgrade climb!!! The hike itself wasn't so bad but there's NOTHING TO SEE, except burnt small trees, bear poop, and a random squirrel. I say skip this, go to Glacier Point and take Tioga Pass.
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Review from maninderpal m.
Union City, CA
5/13/2011 9 photos
Went here last week, it is about a 40 min. drive from the valley so keep that in mind if coming from yosemite valley. The grove isn't huge, we did the hike from the lower grove to wawona point, we had only planned on doing the lower grove but we got all gung ho and decided to do the whole thing, the hike to the upper grove is kinda steep, but the view from wawona point is amazing. We were all glad we did it. If you have time do the whole hike, the sequoias are amazing, my favorites were the grizzly giant and the california tunnel tree.
Mp's take: Check it out, it's a great alternative to the valley, we saw a bunch of people in the lower grove but hardly anyone in the upper grove. -
Review from qirk z.
Los Gatos, CA
4/26/2011 7 photos
Even on a busy holiday weekend, if you get here before 10am, you'll finding parking steps away from the trails. If you come any later, not only will you be in traffic going to the park, you'll be parking the bottom and take a shuttle up.
Great trails to get close to these monsters. The Grizzly Giant's "branch" is thicker than the surrounding trees trunk!
Bring some hand sanitizer, there's no running water anywhere. Restroom stinky hole in the ground, bring a mask too! -
Review from Joolz M.
7/19/2011 3 photos
I took a little over a mile hike into this wonderful grove of Sequoia trees while I was at Yosemite, and it was such a wonderful experience!!! These trees are awe-inspiring, much like the rest of the park. I hear that there are bigger Sequoias elsewhere, but there are several here that are not to be missed. Truly a life-altering experience for those into nature.
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Review from Shingo A.
7/8/2010 5 photos
Awesome! Lots of tourists tend to hangout in Yosemite Valley area and not venture out all the way here. But this place is worth the trip.
My trip started out from Groveland, CA. Visited the Glacier Point and then came here. Lots of road construction along the way and some portion was unpaved (road probably got washed away by snow melt or heavy rain) but your SUV, pickup, minivan, sedan, motorcycle, RV and sports car will have no problem getting here. Just go slow on the unpaved portion.
I parked the car in Wawona, which is a small town with a gas station, a horse stable, some historic buildings, Wawona Hotel, and a General Store. There is a free shuttle bus that runs from here to Mariposa Grove. Just stand by the tree in front of the general store (market) closer to the street. Shuttle bus will pick you up and take you up to the Mariposa Grove. The bus ride is about 20 minutes one way.
Parking lot at Mariposa Grove is small,therefore, it's probably better that you park your car in Wawona and take the shuttle bus.
The shuttle bus will take you to the visitor center of Mariposa Grove. Once there, buy a ticket for the tram or you can hike. I took the easy way and bought the ticket for the tram. Tram will make few stops along the way and show you the most popular spots. You then have an option of getting off the tram and hiking back down the hill.
If you get there early enough, it's probably better that you don't buy the tram ticket and instead, hike up and hike down on foot. I was short on time so I took the tram all the way up, and decided to walk down the hill on foot.
I saw couple of deers here. I only saw one in Yosemite Valley area so that was a treat for me. Also, Sequoia trees are really beautiful.
Most of the older and bigger Sequoia trees are fenced in but you can touch or walk up to some of them.
I enjoyed the visit here because environment is so much different from Yosemite Valley and I was awed by the beauty of the Sequoia trees.
Make sure to view pictures I've added. They don't look all that impressive on those photos but if you stand next to it or see it in person, your opinion will certainly change.
These trams make few stops along the route. We each were given
ten minutes for viewing the Sequoia Trees or to visit the museum but some people were late about getting back on the tram and some idiots decided to hop on our tram even though they did not pay for it or missed their own tram for whatever reason. We suddenly had more people on the tram than when we started. Seating situation became a nightmare as the driver tried to squeeze people in. He was then pressured to go fast to make up for the time wasted. Even though there was a deer standing near the paved tram road, tram driver did not stop or slow down for the photo opportunity. I was disappointed. I did manage to take a picture as the tram was moving but the picture came out somewhat blurry. Oh well, maybe next time because I know for sure I'd be back soon! -
Review from Ayelet I.
Los Angeles, CA
4/4/2008 2 photos
I'm only giving it four because if you come during winter or early spring when the road is shut parking is limited to about 20 cars and there is no other way to access the Sequoias here without driving to the closed road. Still, it was a lovely experience walking up the snowy road to get to the giants. In the past I've come when the train tour is open and it takes very little effort to enjoy the trees, which indeed make Muir Woods's Redwoods look like little more than Sequoia runts, but it was fun hiking up and adding to the overall experience rather than getting delivered right to them. The walk was not at all taxing, though it definitely seemed longer than the 2 miles it's listed as, so if you have children you plan to have walk up I would keep in mind their patience and eating habits. I heard more than one child complaining about the walk.
The snow on the road in early April was walkable without fancy footwear but I saw people going up in platform flip flops and I shudder to think how they coped with the snow once they got to the actual Sequoia grove, which had solid snowfall on the ground throughout and required some traction to navigate.
As for the trees, this grove has an excellent assortment to amaze every visitor. From the still standing behemoths to ones torn to the ground by the roots, some cut down revealing giant cross sections, and another you can walk through (at least the last time I was here without snow-we didn't make it that far this time with my shoes soaked through), these are a wonder that no trip to Yosemite is complete without having been visited. -
Review from Monica L.
9/22/2009 3 photos
Mariposa Grove is a serene area full of trees! It's very peaceful and although it can get crowded on weekends, some areas further away from the parking area are very tranquil and quiet. There are not spectacular area views here, just A LOT of trees with a long history. I really enjoyed myself at this place and learned a lot about the history of some of the largest sequoias. Tons of animals that are not afraid to get up close to people which is very cool. The longest hike is about 2.5 mile round trip which is perfect for spending half the day out here.
They do offer a tour via tram but I don't recommend it. It's very expensive and I find just walking around you get a better sense of the area.
Also, just a word of caution, the bathrooms here are gross and smelly. Bring hand sanitizer or soap ;) -
Review from Sean M.
Holland, MI
9/10/2009
Incredible, my first time seeing these giants. This area is amazing, you start 5,600 feet and go up another 1000 feet. You will see many Giant Sequoias along the path. Bring hiking shoes or old running shoes, plenty of water and a good camera.
This area of the park is about a 1/2 day visit, it is on the south side of the park. I was a little disappointed in the price to get in the park, but understand that keeping it a national park costs money. -
Review from Jean K.
1/15/2008
A great place to visit in winter when the road is shut and few people venture far on the snow.
In the winter, the road into Mariposa Grove is shut completely. So you have to park at the South entrance and hike in 2 miles to the grove. The path is plowed for the first mile but usually icy. Then it's all trails other people have created in the snow.
I saw people walking in normal clothes and street shoes, so it's doable. However, their trouser bottoms were all wet and it didn't look like fun. I recommend snowpants or gators. Even snowshoes and cross country skis as I saw a few others do.
You will probably run into a dozen other people in the grove itself, that's it. So if you don't mind the cold and having to put in some effort, it's really nice not to have hordes of tourists around. And if you're on snowshoes or skis you can go wherever you want. Very tranquil and relaxing. -
Review from Huana P.
Santa Monica, CA
10/23/2007
Mariposa Grove is such a wonderful place. If you're driving from south of Yosemite on the 41, you gotta make the stop here to see some of the giant sequoias.
My favorite? An unnamed giant sequoia, but when you sit or stand on it, you look like a little dwarf. So I"ll call it "Thumbelina."
Mariposa Grove has a lower loop & upper loop. Total time to do both loops, 2 hrs. It's an easy walk. The lower loop is more popular because you see the Fallen Monarch (this huge sequoia which is on it's side, with the roots apparent right when you start the walk path, Bachelor & Three Graces, Grizzly Giant (the oldest tree in Yosemite), California Tunnel Tree. The upper loop has the Clothespin Tree, Columbia Tree and Wawona Tunnel Tree.
This is a great place for kids too! Easy to walk through and lots of cool photo ops moments. I just love the giant sequoias! -
Review from Matt E.
11/4/2010
Mariposa Grove is at the bottom of Yosemite by Wawona and is Yosemite's largest grove of Giant Sequioia trees. If you're coming from Yosemite valley it will take about an hour to drive there but it's a lot better than the 4 hours it would take to drive to California's largest grove of Giant Sequioa's in Giant Forest within Sequoia National Park. Mariposa is absolutely amazing, especially if you hike it. When you start off you may get discouraged because of all the people and the fact that all the huge trees are surrounded by wooden fences that you're not allowed to cross but once you pass the grove's oldest and most popular trees, the Grizzly Giant, the crowds thin out quickly. This is when mankind's history and the tourist factor vanishes and is replaced by natural history and awe inspiring hiking takes over. The trees will be just as big, not surrounded by fences or people, and the hike/walk is easy and the length of the hike around the grove is definitely doable in an afternoon (I believe the whole loop is around 4miles). The gift shop by the parking lot is tiny but they do have a few snacks incase you forgot to bring any. The bathrooms are pretty disgusting here, I suppose that would be my only complaint. If you're not into hiking there is a road that goes through the grove where a tram brings you around (the road is off limits to other vehicles and is not by the trail/path).
They forbid you taking pine cones from the grove but I definitely stole one of the Sugarpine cones, which are the largest pinecones in the world (I think mine is like 18" or so). The pine cones from the Giant Sequioa's are surprisingly tiny, tight, and round. I don't condone breaking the rules BUT if you were to take one the best way to clean and preserve the pinecone is to put it in the oven at 325 for about 30minutes to melt away the sap, dunk it a few times in a water/bleach mixture to wash off any of any extra debris, let it dry, then spray it with a clear acrylic spray (which you can get at an art store).
If you're like me are are wondering if the Giant Sequoias are the largest trees in the world, they most certainly are. They are one of the largest living things in the world in general as well. Most of the largest Giant Sequoias are located in the Giant Forest area of the Sequoia National Park. Supposedly the largest Giant Sequoia is named General Sherman which is 275' tall and 26' wide (102.6' in circumfrence). The Giant Sequoias in Mariposa aren't too far off in size though.
Are they the tallest, widest, or oldest? No. Here's who gets those claims:
Widest:
-The widest tree in the world is a Ahuehuele (Water Cyprus) named the Tree of Tule in Oaxaca, Mexico. It's 38.1' in diameter (164' in circumference)
-A contender for the widest tree species in the world is the Baobab tree of Africa (think of Rafiki's home in the Lion King). The "Big Baobab" tree located in South Africa (which has a pub built into it) is 35' in diameter (154' in circumference)
Oldest:
-The oldest species of tree in the world is the Bristlecone Pine in the White Mountains of California. The oldest tree here is called Methuselah (which is unmarked for preservation sake) and is approximately 4,800 years old. In contrast the oldest giant sequoia's are estimated to be between 2,700-3,200 years old (the Grizzly Giant in Mariposa is about 2,000 yrs old)
Tallest:
-The tallest are the Coastal Redwoods in California. Redwood National Park is home to the tallest tree named Hyperion which is 379'.Listed in: Best Ever- Nationwide
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Review from Erin O.
6/2/2008
Fabulous place and a "must see" when you visit Yosemite. I've come here twice and usually make it our last stop on Sunday because it is a long drive from Yosemite Valley to this grove of giant sequoias, and then you can exit the south gate and head home.
I'm not a tree hugger, but I have to admit these humongous trees are awe-inspiring. First time we came, we did some easy hiking and saw some of the trees up close and personal. I recommend this. But last weekend, we tried the tram tour, which was 1 hour and 15 minutes in an open-air bench tram. It included headphones and great commentary/history. My only regret with the tour is you only get to hop off twice and for a very short 10 minutes. But the plus is that you see way more (unless you are into strenuous hikes) and you get great commentary all about the trees.
First visit in 2005, we parked up above and walked around. Second visit in 2008, upper parking lot was full so we parked by the south gate and took a free shuttle to the site. It was easy and I actually preferred the shuttle. Door-to-door service and very little wait.
If you are in Yosemite, I would make it a point to visit Mariposa Grove. -
Review from Jon F.
Palo Alto, CA
11/29/2010
A full spectrum of day hikes from intermediate-advanced to beginner. Unfortunately, due I suspect to NPS cuts, the road in is snowed in, so you currently need to hike the 2 mile road. Grizzly Giant is a sight to behold! Fallen Monarch is also remarkable. In the winter, the trail is uncrowded, but bring snow boots or snow shoes!
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Review from Annette M.
Half Moon Bay, CA
10/3/2010
It is a Must see in Yosemite, - yes, not close to the main valley - but get out of that touristy area and head over to the Grove early in the morning. Even on a busy summer weekend we had a beautiful walk through these amazing giants almost to ourselves. Early in the morning - few 'tourists' and plenty of easy parking. Beware - only pit toilets here...
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Review from Louis G.
San Carlos, CA
12/29/2007
This spot can get very crowded. If the parking lot fills up they block the road near the south entry to the park. You can find traffic lined up waiting to get in! If you want to see some big trees and you're in shape, probably the best way to get up here would be to hike in. Don't use the road, there are various trails leading up to the grove.
If you've ever been to Sequoia National Park which is probably 2-3 hours from Mariposa Grove I think they do a way better job of highlighting these huge trees. Yosemite has the valley, granite giants, amazing waterfalls, and so much more than Sequoia. All Sequoia really has are these trees and they really do a great job of presenting them.
My wife had fond memories of Mariposa Grove and when we went up there recently after having been to Sequoia the year before she and I both left unimpressed. -
Review from Jay D.
San Diego, CA
3/31/2009 4 photos
Went for a hike near sundown in mid November and the dying light resulted in some great photos. Be sure to bring a sweater though, those shadows immediately rob the already cool forest of any lingering warmth.
I'd recommend this as a 1/2 day destination to anyone who has the time while visiting Yosemite. Very quiet, very peaceful. -
Review from Trey A.
Sacramento, CA
9/22/2009
The trees here are fantastic, and there are some great photo opportunities. 4 stars for the grove. 3 stars awarded because I had to ding them on the tram scam.
As another poster mentioned, don't waste your time with the tram unless you're elderly or disabled. In that case, it may be worth it to experience the grove.
The diesel exhaust, high prices, cheesey recording, bumpy ride, and the fact that it completely insulates you from the experience of walking amongst these trees was a complete disappointment.
We bailed on the tram and finished off the afternoon on foot. -
Review from Ami M.
Turlock, CA
11/23/2010
I will go back. And when that happens, I will make sure we make it out there first thing in the morning and not first thing in the afternoon. As to how much we saw and how we managed to get back in the darkness, I have no recollection. All I remember in that few minutes of daylight was seeing that fallen tree's roots, some burnt trees, the Bachelor and Three Graces. And oh yes, I remember cursing my way up the uneven terrain with a sleeping baby in a stroller. That is so not the way I would want to do it the next time. Luckily, we brought a flashlight and we were dressed warmly. But, as the Terminator says, "Ay'll bee bhack!"
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Review from Tiffany R.
Dallas, TX
8/27/2010
I love that you can catch a shuttle there from Wawona. The trails are hot and dusty in the summer. The trams is costly, but it might be worth it if some in your group are elderly, frail or otherwise handicapped. Otherwise, pack some water and go for a walk. The volunteers out here are very helpful. If you're in the area, check it out. If you're here in the summer, come out early before it gets hot.
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Review from Arnold W.
6/2/2010
Way too many fences for 5 stars! The tree wasn't as big as I thought it would be. After seeing the real big sequoias, Big Grizzly was a bit of a letdown. Parking was a pain, but the Rangers were really nice! The hike is pretty easy, even the 4 year old in our group could do it. Lots of beautiful pictures!
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Review from Heather F.
Foster City, CA
9/25/2008
On recent trip to Yosemite, we stopped at Mariposa Grove near the Southern entrance. There was a dry dirt path that led up into the sequoia grove, but that wasn't anything spectacular. The sequoias here are big (tallest is 290 feet), but they are spread few are far between. I guess in contrast to the Redwoods up in northern CA (along the Avenue of the Giants or those at Redwood National Park) which take over the forest, blocking out sunlight so that no other trees (only ferns) can grow near them, this was a little like, "Oh, it's a big tree." Then a 1/2 mile later, "Oh, another big tree." The California Tunnel Tree (which you can walk through) is fun, but drive-thru and walk-thru trees aren't really anything unique to Yosemite. My car has driven through plenty of Redwoods further up north. If you want to see amazing trees, go up to Northern CA and see the Redwoods (not at Muir Woods...go up toward Eureka, CA instead) or to Sequoia National Park.
Listed in: "Who Pooped in the Park?"
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Review from Monika K.
4/21/2010 2 photos
your insignificance is quickly made apparent amongst these amazing giant trees.
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Review from Carissa G.
Austin, TX
10/13/2009
very large trees, makes for interesting photos.
