Big Time Hike

Hike Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Mariposa Grove hike Wawona Point

Big on the scene these days in Yosemite: about 500 giant sequoias in the park’s newly reopened Mariposa Grove. Tucked in the southern part, this grove is the largest of giant sequoias in Yosemite. It was closed for several years for major restoration to improve habitat and enhance this historic spot that in 1864 President Lincoln protected via legislation.

There are a variety of hikes you can do here to see the behemoth trees. We recommend this grand tour at 7.5 miles (round-trip) which includes Wawona Point, a spectacular overlook that’s ideal for a lunch break.

Start at the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area on the Mariposa Grove Trail. The trail is wide and mostly flat, passing famous sequoias like the Fallen Monarch, Bachelor, Three Graces, and the—whoa—Grizzly Giant, 209 feet of big!

Continue to other popular trees: Faithful Couple and Clothespin (so named for how it is splintered in the middle, resembling a clothespin).

At the Mariposa Tree, take the detour trail to Mariposa Cabin, then cut back to Mariposa Grove Trail and up to Wawona Point. At 6,800 feet, you get a panorama of the valley below.

You can return the way you came on the Mariposa Grove Trail, but to mix things up we recommend taking the Perimeter Trail for a change of scenery. Big adventure indeed.

Mariposa Grove is typically open year round. Park at the new Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and take the short shuttle to the trailhead. NOTE: In 2021 Mariposa Grove is not running the shuttle service to the grove, adding an extra 4-miles to the hiking distance. No dogs. Map & Info.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View
  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

    View
  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

    View
  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

    View
  2. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

    View
  3. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

    View
  4. People gathered around a tree at an LA Park as part of the Tree Tour led by Stephanie Carrie

    LA's Tree Tour

    Los Angeles is famous for its iconic palm trees but did you know that LA is home to one of the most diverse urban forests in the world? With over 1,000 different tree species lining its streets, LA offers a unique urban canopy waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to discover it is by joining a Tree Tour

    View