United States
Mariposa Grove van reusachtige sequoia's
Vandaag verken je het beste van Mariposa Grove van reusachtige sequoia's tijdens de Grizzly Giant Loop Trail, een rondwandeling van 3,2 km. Dit is de aanbevolen wandeling voor beginners. Het toont het beste van wat Mariposa Grove van reusachtige sequoia's te bieden heeft. Heb je ooit gehoord van de Fallen Monarch, de Grizzly Giant of de California Tunnel Tree? Vandaag is de dag dat je ze in het echt zult zien. Trek je wandelschoenen aan, pak een tas met snacks en water, en: laten we gaan!
Start your hike at Mariposa Grove
If you’re visiting during high season, you can just park at the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area. From here, the hike into the beautiful grove will start. If you’re visiting between late November through mid-May, you must park at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza. From there it’s another 3,2 km hike to the Mariposa Grove via the Washburn Trail. The reason for this is that the road is closed during that time. But don’t worry, this hike is a great “appetizer” for what’s yet to come! Once you’ve arrived at the Arrival Area, you can start by following the Big Trees Loop Trail. This “trail” is only 200m long, which makes it the shortest trail of the Grove. It also brings us to the first stop of the day!
Stop 1: The Fallen Monarch
The first stop of the hike is The Fallen Monarch. This fallen sequoia is a magnificent start to your day! The first thing that stands out when you’re standing right in front of it, are the roots of the tree. They spread out as if you’re looking at an alien creature! It’s so otherworldly. The second thing that’s really intriguing about this tree is that no-one knows when it has fallen or how long it has been laying there. Even crazier, the tree might lay here for hundreds (or thousands) of year more! When you’re done admiring this impressive “creature”, it’s time to move on to the next stop!
Stop 2: Bachelor and Three Graces
Continue your hike by following the path to your right hand side. This part of the hike will be around 600m long, and should take you around 10 minutes. That is, if you’re not stopping to take photos every 10 seconds! This part of the trail will lead you to some of the prettiest deep orange trees of the hike. The trees we’re talking about are the Bachelor and Three Graces. You can find them on the intersection of the trail path and the road to accessible parking. It is said that the Bachelor and Three Graces have grown so close together that their roots are intertwined. If one falls, the others will most likely fall too! Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.
Stop 3: Grizzly Giant
Let’s continue with the hike, then! Less than 10 minutes later (or 500m), you’ll find the tree after which the trail was called: The Grizzly Giant! With good reason, too, because this tree is the oldest and biggest tree in the Mariposa Grove. What better way to honor him than to name the best trail after him? ;-) Other than being the tallest and biggest tree in the grove, it’s also the most “unusual” looking. It has a big black spot near the bottom of the tree, that were caused by the multiple fires that happen every now and then. The tree was most recently involved in the Washburn Fires in 2022!
Stop 4: California Tunnel Tree
Not too far away from the Grizzly Giant, you’ll find the California Tunnel Tree. This tree is also really peculiar-looking, but not for the same reason as the Grizzly Giant. The California Tunnel Tree is a tree that you can walk through! The base of tree was hollowed out in 1895 to let stagecoaches pass through it, and also to make it more of a tourist attraction. It’s a little sad to see, but also really fun to walk through! Just make sure to not hurt or damage the tree even further. Even though Sequoias are extremely durable and can heal themselves, they’re not meant to be hollowed out or carved into. If you’re careful, though, it can be great fun! Once you pass through the California Tunnel Tree, it’s an about 1,5km hike back to the start. Along the way you’ll be able to follow the trail to the Faithful couple as well if you choose the Perimeter trail, but bear in mind that this will add at least 5km to your hike! If you’re into it, great! And otherwise make sure to always take the left road on an intersection to pick the shortest way back to the beginning ;-).
