Documenting Lovely Moments
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in the Early Spring
Visiting Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is one of the highlights of our trip to Yosemite National Park. Mariposa Grove is home to hundreds of giant sequoias. Iconic trees there include the Grizzly Giant, the Bachelor and Three Graces, and the Fallen Monarch. The California Tunnel tree is another unique landmark, known for its hollowed-out trunk that visitors can walk through.
Visiting Mariposa Grove in the Spring
Before our trip, we did our research and knew that the shuttle to the trailhead would not be running in early April. From the Welcome Plaza, we did an extra 1-mile walk on the road to reach the trailhead, which was not too bad. The grounds on the trails were still a little icy but manageable.
Icy But Peaceful Trails
For most of our trips, we like to start our days as early as possible, especially in popular tourist spots. This time was no exception. We arrived before 8 am and almost had the trails to ourselves. As we walked through the bridge entering Mariposa Grove, we already got a glimpse of giant sequoia trees. The morning sun was peeking through between the tree trunks, making our walk pleasant and peaceful.
Fallen Monarch
Not far from the bridge, we reached the Fallen Monarch tree. It is a large sequoia tree that toppled over hundreds of years ago, revealing its massive base.
Bachelor and Three Graces
As we walked along the Grizzly Giant loop trail, we found the Bachelor and Three Graces. It was a cluster of sequoia trees that made a great spot for photographs.
Iconic Grizzly Giant Tree
At last, the trail led us to the Grizzly Giant tree. It is one of the most iconic and largest sequoias in Mariposa Grove, known for its impressive age and size.
California Tunnel Tree
Another landmark that we found was the California Tunnel Tree. It was cool being able to walk through its hollowed-out trunk.
Hiking Back to the Welcome Plaza
When we finished hiking the Grizzly Giant loop trail, it was almost noon and the place was getting more crowded. We headed back to the trailhead and walked the 1-mile road back to the Welcome Plaza. This visit felt like a preview of the next destination in our itinerary, Sequoia National Park. Read our separate post about our experience at Sequoia National Park.
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About Us
I'm a happily-married mom of two. Our family enjoys an active lifestyle and spending quality time together. We love creating memories through travel, learning about different cultures around the world.
