Mariposa Grove, Wawona

Mariposa grove served as a campground for many years until the recognition of the damage that such activities cause to the trees. Today the grove is accessible by trails and a tram (open truck, much like some of the valley tours) to the museum near the top.

Some people confuse Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) and Sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum), but they really have nothing in common other than being large trees with reddish wood that grow in California. Sequoia wood is not particularly useful, which is why they survived the era of cutting down anything that didn't move. It doesn't burn easily, it doesn't rot quickly, but it cracks when the tree is cut. It makes more sense to confuse Sequoias and Cedars (but they aren't the same either).

Grizzly Giant, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite One of the named trees that is fairly close to the parking lot is the Grizzly Giant (31m in circumference). It is close to the California Tunnel Tree (this one has a tunnel you can walk through). The Wawona Tunnel Tree is 500 feet higher up the hill and has fallen. Early in the walk you pass the Fallen Monarch, and a more recently unnamed fallen tree.
The Upper Grove, about 500 feet above the Lower Grove (that is 500 feet up, the total trail distance is somewhat more), is accessible by 2 trails, the road (closed to vehicles) and the shuttle/tram tour. The museum provides an review of the history of the grove. The tram gives the usual highlights, the trail lets you see the deer and very rarely a bear.
Parking is always limited, given the general park visitation and the relative closeness of Mariposa to outside accomodations. Use the shuttle from Wawona. 		California, Tunnel Tree, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite
Fallen Monarch, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite
Fallen Monarch		 Fallen Sequoia, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite
A more recent fallen monarch		 Upper Mariposa Grove, Yosemite
Upper Grove		 Upper Mariposa Grove, Yosemite
Snow in June
Wawona, Clark Cabin, Yosemite Clark Cabin is the oldest of the structures used for the Hotel/Lodge at Wawona. At least it has been remodeled and rooms have baths. Some of the rooms in the historic structures still use the central shower and bath facilities. Wawona Meadow, Yosemite The large meadow at Wawona currently has a golf course. If the availability of golf determines whether someone comes to Yosemite, their priorities are toatlly out of order and maybe they shouldn't bother with the trip.

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