Trip Date: 12/8/2014
Location: Yosemite National Park - Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Permit/Pass: By private car, van, pickup truck, or RV - $20 per car. Valid for unlimited entries to Yosemite for seven days.
Trails: NPS Self-guided Map
Directions: (See here for directions to the park.) After entering the valley from the south entrance, turn right and drive two miles to the Mariposa Grove parking area. From the north areas of the park, take Hwy 41 south from the valley and drive just over 26 miles to where the 41 turns south to leave the park. Continue straight through the stop and drive the 2 miles to the grove.
Synopsis: If you're pressed for time and don't want to take the tram, but still want to see some of the big trees, this loop is ideal. Standing in the presence of the Grizzly Giant alone is enough to impress anyone.
Trail sequence: Grizzly Giant trail / Wawona trail / Parking lot trail
Type: Loop
Distance: 2 miles
Elevation: Min. - ', Max. - '
Profile:
Rating: Easy (factors: crowds in high season)
Trail Notes: Parts of the grove will be closed in 2015, with the entire area undergoing restoration. Everything is scheduled to open back up in 2016
Lower Grove loop - Yosemite NP
Turn by Turn:
-- The trailhead can be found at the east end of the parking loop. Follow the signs for the Fallen Monarch and Grizzly Giant.
-- Very quickly you come to the Fallen Monarch tree. Cross the tram road and continue on the fence-lined trail up the hillside.
-- In a quarter-mile or so you cross the tram's path once again, passing to the east of three trees known as the Bachelor and Three Graces.
-- Soon the trail circles to the east, and after another quarter-mile you come to the Grizzly Giant. Here the path turns north to meet the trail to pass through the California Tunnel Tree. Before doing so, take the left turn to follow the trail toward Wawona.
-- This trail trends west for three or four tenths of a mile, passing few giant tree. Soon you reach a junction with the trail that leads south back to the parking area. Take the left onto this trail and descend the zig-zag path to your car.
Photo Gallery: Flickr
Video: Youtube