Gumbo was visiting the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite National Park. Congratulations to PortMoresby, George G and Debbie O'Daly, who recognized where Gumbo was.
One of my favorite places anywhere to go for a hike is among these giants, located in the southwestern corner of Yosemite. The weather in the summer is most pleasant and the forest is not dense so you get to appreciate these majestic trees. I've previously done a post on this destination which you can refer to here, but there were enough changes following a major renovation in how the grove can be approached that I thought I would incorporate a discussion of these with one of our weekly travel puzzles.
Historically there was parking available at the Mariposa Grove, but this has ended for all but a few handicapped spots. A new parking lot is situated near the west entrance of the park. From here, a shuttle will take you two miles and drop you off at the new boardwalk approach to the Mariposa Grove. Similarly, when you're done hiking, you catch the shuttle bus back to your car in the parking lot.
(3-dimensional map of the Mariposa Grove gives both seeing and blind guests an overview of the grove)
In the past a separate fee-based tram service would give you the option of walking less and taking a ride to the densest grouping of giant sequoias in the grove, these being several uphill miles away. That tram service no longer operates and the roads have been converted to pedestrian paths. The nice aspect of this is that the Mariposa Grove is much quieter than it used to be, without the roar of tram engines struggling to get up the grade. The downside is that those with problems walking can't get to the upper grove anymore. But there are lots of fine sequoia trees by the accessible entrance to the grove that lets almost anyone access a nice example of a Sequoia forest.
One of our favorite destinations as a family (when our boys were young and we lived in southern California) was a vacation at Yosemite Park. We'd rent a cabin just outside the park and explored most everything that was reasonably accessible. Our boys are grown and married now, have moved far away (one son in Reno, the other in Chicago). So it was a treat that we as a family could again visit the Mariposa Grove last year.
(My kids, of whom I've very proud, from left to right Ashley, Bryan, Evan and Sami. Standing in front of the new entrance to the Grove)
If you've never been in a Sequoia forest, add the experience to your bucket list. These are the largest (most massive) living things on the planet and are truly a sight to behold. Photos really can't do their immense size justice. The Mariposa Grove is home to over 500 mature giant sequoias, so there's lots to see here. The only other real option for seeing these trees is a visit to Sequoia/King's Canyon National Park.
Like all living things, sequoia trees will in time die. It's rare to see or hear a sequoia fall down -- usually happens in a storm -- but it must be not unlike being in an earthquake. The root system of the sequoias is rather shallow, yet it can support them for several thousand years so it works for them.
The dead tree below is called the Fallen Monarch. The largest root-ball I've ever seen....
A number of the trees and tree groupings are distinctive enough that they've been named. These include the Bachelor and Three Graces.....
The appropriately named Clothespin tree, severely damaged by fire but hanging in there....
And the man-created California Tunnel Tree. A century ago it was quite a tourist draw to put a road through a tree. While it's interesting to walk (or drive) through a tree, the process of creating the tunnel does substantial damage it and often such trees do not survive long. Fortunately the one in this grove is there for you to enjoy and pose in front of....
The Faithful Couple straddles the former tram road, now a walking trail.
By far the most unusual and distinctive tree in the grove is known as the Grizzly Giant. This is the tallest and oldest Sequoia tree in Yosemite National Park (209 vertical feet tall with a circumference of 96 feet). It was first seen by Europeans in 1857 when Galen Clark spotted it. The tree is estimated to be almost 2500 years old and it's crown has broken off, giving rise to the profusion of thick branches near the top (many of these individually bigger than most trees). I'm curious how tall it would be if the top hadn't broken off.
There's a lot more to see in the forest than just big trees. Take time to look around for wildlife, birds and interesting plants in the under story.
(This grazing deer gives some size perspective to the Giant Sequoia behind it)
(Sequoia cones, quite small especially compared to the trees, provided our first puzzle clue)
(Snow Plant)
We spent a half day in the grove and had time to explore much of its trail system. But I'd recommend a full day. Take a picnic lunch and enjoy this special place.
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