Although I had been to the Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park several times before, I hadn’t been there since the National Park Service completed its restoration project of the grove in June of 2018.
Being that the Mariposa Grove Trail is one of the greatest National Park experiences in one of the greatest National Parks, I couldn’t wait to get back on the trail.
Hiking The Mariposa Grove Trail To Wawona Point (Yosemite National Park, CA)
“The battle for conservation must go on endlessly. It is part of the universal warfare between right and wrong.” – John Muir
About The Mariposa Grove
The Mariposa Grove is best known for the legendary role it played in the creation of the American National Park system.
Sierra Club founder John Muir infamously took President Theodore Roosevelt on a 3-night camping trip to Yosemite, where they visited (among other places) the Mariposa Grove. Roosevelt was so moved by Yosemite and its giant sequoias that he moved to federally protect public lands, forming the foundation for the National Park system.
“Muir’s three-night camping trip with President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 could be considered the most significant camping trip in conservation history. He was able to persuade Roosevelt to return Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove to federal protection as part of Yosemite National Park. The trip would have a lasting impact on the president” – Ken Burns, America’s Best Idea
The Mariposa Grove is a dense area of Giant Sequoias and contains many notable trees including two of the largest (and oldest) trees in the world, the Grizzly Giant and Washington tree, each likely about 2,000 years old.
Location Within Yosemite National Park
The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is located near the extreme South entrance of Yosemite Park (near Wawona), just South of the park entrance off of Highway 41 (see the bottom of the map below).
Map Of The Mariposa Grove Trail
There are actually many trails within the grove, as well as several different loop trails. What makes the Mariposa Grove Trail to Wawona Point so special is that it incorporates the “greatest hits” of these other trails into one route.
The route treks from the trailhead to the Grizzly Giant, California Tunnel tree, Telescope tree, Galen tree, Wawona Point Vista, then back down through the Upper Grove, past the museum, Clothespin tree, the Faithful Couple, before finally leading back through the Lower Grove to the trailhead.
The map (below) shows the path I took (and recommend). If you look closely, you’ll see the path is in the shape of a “8”, and I recommend hiking it in a counter-clockwise direction so as to descend on the slightly steeper Western side of Lower Grove.
About The Mariposa Grove Trail To Wawona Point
The great thing about this trail is anybody can do it; as much or as little of it as they want. The trail is wide and mostly flat through the Lower Grove section which includes the Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel tree.
The trail is well marked, not particularly steep, and well shaded. There are bathrooms (and water stations) at the bus drop-off points/trailhead and more bathrooms at the museum in the center of the grove.
The signage lists this trail as 3.4 miles each way – but that’s if you were take the shortest, most direct route to Wawona Point. But why would you do that? This is the kind of place you will want to see everything.
Following the route outlined here, the mileage clocks in at 7.4 miles round-trip – and you get to see everything.
Model of the remaining giant sequoia trees of the Mariposa Grove
My Stats On This Hike
My iPhone stats show this path as about 7.4 miles round-trip (almost 19,000 steps).
The Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza, Parking Lot, And Bus Depot
The renovation of the area now includes a giant parking lot and welcome plaza from where all visitors must now catch the grove shuttle to the grove. Visitors can no longer drive directly to the grove.
This was done to manage traffic, enhance parking, and reduce the overall environmental impact on the grove.
A cross-section of a fallen sequoia
The parking lot (right) and visitor center (left) are all a part of the new Welcome Plaza
You can catch the [free] grove shuttle from this sign.
The Trailhead
The trail starts just to the right of these signs
Section 1: The Trailhead To The Grizzly Giant
The first section of this trail is mostly very flat and serene, but there is much to see here. As you walk deeper into the grove the giant sequoias start to reveal themselves one-by-one.
Wawona Point: 3.4 miles-ish ahead
The base of a fallen giant
I didn’t think I was going to be able to fit this in one picture
There are some slight inclines here, but as you see in this picture, a woman is pushing a stroller so it’s not that bad
The Bachelor and Three Graces
The Grizzly Giant is just up ahead
Behold, the Grizzly Giant, so named for its massive branches. It’s the oldest and second largest tree in Mariposa Grove
The trail will lead straight to the California Tunnel tree where you can take some time to admire the tree – and take some pictures (it’s a very popular spot).
The California Tunnel tree (from the less-crowded backside)
Section 2: From The California Tunnel Tree To The Mariposa Grove Cabin
A little up the trail from the California Tunnel tree, there will be this small, seemingly unremarkable trail on the right. Follow the sign (below) to Mariposa Grove Cabin.
Soon, the trail will hit another fork in the road. Here, take a left, climb these stairs and continue to follow the signs.
This section of trail joins up with the Perimeter Trail as it leads to the Cabin
The trail meanders wildly here through a beautiful section of forest that years ago experienced a fire.
Eventually, the trail will lead to this kiosk and join up with the Guardians Loop Trail.
The Columbia tree (bottom)
The Columbia tree (top)
This is not the cabin you are looking for. Unless you are looking for a bathroom
From here, the forest gets noticeably darker and denser as you enter the Upper Grove. This is easily one of the most gorgeous parts of Mariposa Grove (hence why the cabin was built here).
It’s also a place most visitors don’t get to see as most don’t venture past the California Tunnel tree. It’s here where you may start to feel like you “have the grove all to yourself”.
Finally, the Mariposa Grove Cabin. This is the cabin you are looking for!
OK, so it’s not the original cabin. Nevertheless, this one was built in 1930
The Mariposa Grove Cabin
Water fountain
Section 3: The Perimeter Trail To The Guardians Loop Trail To The Galen Clark Tree
From the cabin, the trail leads through a small meadow filled small plants as you follow the signs to the Telescope tree.
FHOP Tip: Watch out, there is a lot of Poison Oak on the way to Telescope tree! Make sure your legs and feet are completely covered here. Remember, “If you see leaves of three, leave it be”.
Follow the signs straight to the Telescope tree
The trail climbs out the meadow to rejoin up with the Guardians Loop trail.
When you see this sign, that means the Telescope tree is right behind you
Strangely, the Telescope tree is unmarked, but as you can see in the picture below there is a sign for the Perimeter Trail directly in front of it.
The Telescope tree. Go ahead, step inside!
Look up. Now you see where this tree gets its name?
Who put that here?
The Fallen Tunnel tree
A seldom seen Jerusalem cricket guarding the entrance to Wawona Point
Section 4: The Wawona Point Vista Spur Trail
As you pass the section with the Galen Clark tree and Fallen Tunnel tree, you’ll come upon a wide sandy section of trail leading up to Wawona Point.
Head straight up the trail. Soon, a radio tower will come into view.
Here there will be a fork in the road (but it’s actually a loop). Go to the right to get to the Wawona Point sign
When you see the radio tower, stick to the right. Wawona Point is straight ahead
The Wawona Point sign is under that big tree
Wawona Point – you made it!
Once you arrive at the sign, you’ll notice there are actually two vista points.
Check out the one [down] to the right of the sign first, then head over to the larger one West [left] of the Wawona Point sign.
FHOP Tip: You might not want to get too close to the edge of these lookouts. The Native Americans who lived in Yosemite believed in an evil spirit named “Pohono” who was believed to push people off high vistas with a strong puff of air in this area. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Vista Point #1 – the view of Wawona meadow below
View of the Wawona Dome
This raven was guarding Vista Point #1, and he was very talkative
Next, walk over to Vista Point #2 (you can see it on the right)
Vista Point #2
The names of the peaks you can see from this spot
Section 5: Upper Grove To The Museum
From Wawona Point, you’ll return back to the main trail, continuing gently downhill away from the Fallen Tunnel tree as the trail literally becomes a relaxing “walk in the park”.
The trail will lead to a memorial to the Unknown Dead of the World War [I].
The trees of the Upper Grove
This section ends at the impressive and aptly named Clothespin tree.
The Clothespin tree
Section 6: The Mather Tree And Faithful Lovers To The Lower Grove (And Trailhead)
The trail heads away from the Clothespin tree to a small fence and the Stephen Mather tree.
Very nearby the Mather tree is another interesting tree – the Faithful Couple.
The Faithful Couple (bottom)
The Faithful Couple (top)
If you are wondering how the Faithful Couple tree grew, read this placard
The Sierra has flying squirrels? Who knew?
If this part of the trail is wet or muddy, walk on the big rocks.
The “Tent tree”. I totally just made that up.
The trailhead and bus depot are just ahead
FHOP Tip: Always keep you eyes peeled for wildlife in Yosemite. I’ve come across large mammals here including bears, coyotes, deer, and even a Pacific Fisher!
I saw these group of Mule Deer at the bus depot just as I finished this hike.
A very young buck – just sprouted antlers!
Catch the Mariposa Grove Shuttle back to the parking lot from this sign
Final Thoughts: Hiking The Mariposa Grove Trail To Wawona Point (Yosemite National Park, CA)
The Mariposa Trail is beautiful and easy follow, and Wawona Point is a great payoff for doing the entire trail. Although it’s not particularly steep, the elevation and distance will get your heart pumping for sure.
I recommend devoting a half-day to visiting and hiking Mariposa Grove. Make sure you are prepared with the right clothes, plenty of water, and mosquito repellent (in the summer).
A visit to the magical Mariposa Grove is a must for any Yosemite itinerary, and hiking the Mariposa Grove trail to Wawona Point is the very best way to see it.
Cheers!
