Yosemite NP – Tuolumne Sequoia Grove

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Introduction:

What? : Tuolumne Grove is a sequoia grove located at the north section of Yosemite National Park. There is an old grove of giant sequoias, although not impressive as Mariposa Grove or Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, this is a place to see the big trees up close.

 


 

Where? : Tuolumne Sequoia Grove is located near the junction of Tioga Pass Road (highway 120) and Big Oak Flat Road (Crane Flat gas station).

If you are coming from the north entrance to the park drive south on Highway 120, after 7.8 miles turn left into Tioga Pass Road (this section opens to traffic year-round) and after a very short drive you will see the left turn into the large parking lot.

If you are coming from Yosemite Valley, take the exit to the north on the Big Oak Flat Road for 9.5 miles until you turn right into Tioga pass road (near the gas station).

Google Map Link

 

 

When? : Tuolumne Sequoia Grove is open year round to visitors but it may be covered with snow during winter.

 

 

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Due note 2: There are restrooms at the car park.

 

Due note 4: This is a popular destination for people visiting Yosemite NP but it is not overcrowded.

 

Due note 5: Although usually pets are not allowed on any trail in Yosemite here pets are allowed on the paved trail, but not on the side trails in the grove.

 

Due note 6: There are no food services available at Tuolumne Sequoia Grove. You can find stores nearby at the gas station.

 

Due note 6: The path down the old road is paved and can be done by strollers, the 0.5-mile hike in the grove is not for strollers.

 



My thoughts: I visit here only once, Oct. 2022; this location is always on my way to/from the park and not high on my priority to-do list.

I came late in the afternoon and hiked the 1 mile down the road to the grove.

There are several large Sequoia trees in the grove and if you have never seen one you will be impressed. For me it was not so special, but it is always nice to see such huge trees.

 


 

The Giant Sequoia Trees:

Giant sequoia specimens are part of the redwoods family and are the most massive trees on Earth. they only in groves on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range of California.

The giant sequoia is listed as an endangered species by the IUCN, and it is estimated that there are fewer than 60,000 trees remaining.

They grow to an average height of 50–85 m (164–279 ft) with trunk diameters ranging from 6–8 m (20–26 ft). Record trees have been measured at 94.8 m (311 ft) tall.

Giant sequoias are among the oldest living organisms on earth. They can protect themselves from fire by their thick bark that contains tannic acid, which provides significant protection from fire damage.

The giant sequoia regenerates by seed.

The roots of giant sequoias are shallow, usually less than six feet deep, but spread over a large area - half an acre or more for a mature tree, therefore it is so important to protect the soil near the trees.

 

 

There are 2 others Sequoia Trees Grove in Yosemite National Park (Mariposa and Merced Groves) where Mariposa grove is the most beautiful and rewarding of the three.

 

 

The Visit:

 

There is only one trail in this grove, an old 1-mile-long road going down from the parking lot to the start of the grove trail, you need to walk back up 500 feet after your grove hike, overall, this is 2.5-mile hike.



The 0.5-mile-long grove trail itself is clearly map and even if it is not flat it is easy to follow.

On your grove hike you can see the two dozen mature giant sequoias as well as few ones that were fallen and even one dead tree that you can walk through.




This hike can be done in 1 hour and 30 min.

 

www:

https://www.nps.gov/places/000/tuolumne-grove.htm

 

 

Additional Pictures:












Location: Tuolumne Grove, California 95321, USA

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