On our way back to San Jose we decided to take the South entrance (vs. East when we arrived) so we could stop by at
Mariposa Grove. Mariposa Grove is the largest park of giant Sequoias with around 500 trees. I've never seen a Sequoia tree and was very eager to fix this.
We cleverly chose to follow the travel guide and drive directly to the park. When it's very busy (like in the summer) and the parking is full, one should take a shuttle from Wawona village, some 8 miles before. Truth be told, despite the signs, we found a pretty empty parking lot and were very happy not to have wasted 1 hour back and forth using the shuttle.
From the parking lot information we chose to go to the most famous Sequoia tree, the Tunnel tree (a 3.2 miles loop recommended if you only have 1-2 hours). Somehow between what was written there and what we walked there was a mismatch. We walked 2 hours to the Fallen Tunnel tree and 1:30h back down. Clearly more than what was stated at the entrance. Could also be because we mixed the California Tunnel tree, indeed nearby, and the Fallen Tunnel tree, completely at the top of the hill. Maybe we should pay closer attention to what is written.
No regrets clearly as we walked longer in the park we got to see more Sequoia trees, each of them impressively high.
The Fallen Monarch: this Sequoia tree fell centuries ago. The tannin-rich wood makes it resistant to rot and not very tasty for insects. Consequence, the tree is still there on the ground.
With scale so you can really realize how big it is (it's not often I can say that Wolfram is small :))
Interestingly I learned that at the very beginning when Mariposa Grove was added to Yosemite, rangers made sure there would be no fire to protect the Sequoia trees. Over the years pine trees were growing massively and no new sequoia tree appeared. After observation and studies, it was demonstrated that fire is good for sequoia trees. Indeed they are resistant to fire. In case of a fire, pine trees will burn which means less competition for food etc. and sequoia trees will grow. Easy!
That's why when you walk through the park you can see standing high sequoia trees surrounded by burnt pine trees. Nature's law...
Walking through the park we met some famous sequoia trees:
- 1 Bachelor and 3 Graces
- Grizzly Giant: which has been around for a looooong time
- California Tunnel tree: have you ever walked through a tree?
-Columbia tree, the tallest therefore hard to squeeze on one picture
- THE Fallen Tunnel tree, the most famous but sadly on the ground. I'm sure it was really something when it was standing and having a tunnel large enough for a car. Now it's just a fallen tree and I'm not sure it was worth all the walking to get here (some 4-5miles from the parking lot).
Close-up on the roots and body. Note the red color of the tree thanks to specific tannin.
And not to forget them, some nameless sequoia trees. They are just too young to deserve a name. Patience, in a few hundred years, our great great grand children will pay them a visit.
After seeing those giants, who saw I bet millions of tourists along the years, it's time to drive back to San Jose.
Bye Bye Yosemite and hopefully see you soon!
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