Mariposa Grove of Big Trees

If you have already seen Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point and you’ve still got time (hard to believe!), the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees is located near the park’s south entrance from Highway 41. This magnificent stand of sequoias is Yosemite’s largest and includes trees thousands of years old. A tram system transports visitors into the grove for a fee (from May to October), or you may enter on foot (the hike into the upper grove area is fairly rigorous, however). A small museum is open during the summer (the tram stops there), and famous trees like the Grizzly Giant and the fallen Tunnel Tree should not be missed.

If you have young children, hike the one-mile trail up to the Grizzly Giant and the Tunnel Tree.

Starting behind the Wawona Hotel is a long, uphill climb to the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias. Passing through forest most of the way, the trail offers excellent views of the Wawona Basin and Wawona Dome as it nears the big trees. The trail ends at the Mariposa Grove Museum in the Upper Grove near the fallen Tunnel Tree. Because the elevation gain is 3,000 feet in 6.5 miles, this hike is for the well-conditioned only. For an easier alternative, take the summer shuttle bus to the Mariposa Grove and hike back to Wawona. Figure on spending 8 to 10 hours making the up-and-back trip of 13 miles.