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Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.3 (15)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …High Sierra
  4. Yosemite National Park
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“A hike to the second largest grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite. ”

David Hitchcock
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Map Key

2.7

Miles

4.4

KM

Out and Back

6,222' 1,896 m

High

5,747' 1,752 m

Low

496' 151 m

Up

496' 151 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

14%

Max Grade (8°)

Dogs No Dogs

Family Friendly This trail is relatively short and provides access to a grove of Giant Sequoias. It's a paved trail, making it easy to navigate.

The Tuolumne Grove is open year round, although it can be closed if Highway 120 is closed or under chain restriction in the winter. Make sure to carry chains with you in the winter. You can check road conditions at nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/… or by dialing 1-209-372-0200, dialing extensions 1/1.

Overview

The Tuolumne Grove Trail provides access to the second largest grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite National Park. The trail descends 1.4 miles from the parking lot on Tioga Road along the Old Big Oak Flat Road. It enters the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias where the Tuolumne Grove Loop Trail works its way amongst these giant trees. Due to the Rim Fire, which moved through the area in 2013, the trail also offers the opportunity to witness a forest that is recovering from wildfire. Due to its proximity to Yosemite Valley and the short distance, this trail is popular for those wanting to see Giant Sequoias.

Need to Know

This trail descends into the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, and the only way out is to climb back out. Make sure that you have water for the trip, and that you have enough energy to make it back to the parking lot.

Description

The trailhead is located on Tioga Road half a mile from Highway 120 on the left-hand side. There is a large parking lot at the trailhead along with picnic tables and restrooms.

The trail leaves out of the back of the main parking lot past some picnic tables. There are informational signs on the right of the trail that provide insights into the life of the Giant Sequoias and the trail. The trail moves along a concrete trail toward the grove through the forest. The Rim Fire burned through this area in 2013, so you get to observe a forest recovering from wildfire. Because more sunlight reaches the floor of the forest, smaller plants and shrubs are growing back. Dogwoods flourish along the trail in the spring as sunlight reaches them through the open canopy. At roughly a third of a mile, the trail begins to descend toward the grove. Even through the fire burned through the area, the trail is well shaded from the sun.

At roughly .7 miles, the trail cuts back to the left and continues to descend through the burnt forest. If you know what you are looking for, you may be able to see the tops of a couple of the Giant Sequoias off to the right-hand side of the trail. As the trail circles to the right, you pass a sign indicating that you are entering the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. Continuing downhill for another .1 or .2 miles, the first Giant Sequoia sits off to the left side of the trail. Because the root system of a Giant Sequoia is wider (not deeper) in order to absorb more moisture, there are fences that prevent visitors from getting too close to the trees. People hiking around the bases of the trees compacts the dirt, making it more difficult for the root system to absorb water and nutrients. Do the trees a favor, and stay on the appropriate side of the fence.

Continuing straight ahead, the trail arrives at the Tuolumne Grove Loop Trail, which is a short loop through the grove that sits on the right side of the trail. Informational signs line the trail providing information about the giant trees, their life cycles, and the impact that they have on the forest. A couple of Giant Sequoias stand tall in the forest on the left side of the trail. The Old Big Oak Flat Road continues straight ahead toward Hodgdon Meadow. Most people take the Tuolumne Grove Loop Trail and then return to their car, climbing back up the road that they descended earlier. This trail is an opportunity to see another one of the natural wonders that the National Park protects.

Flora & Fauna

Dogwoods, various types of evergreens, and Giant Sequoias can be found along this trail.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Yosemite

Shared By:

David Hitchcock
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 15 votes

#9

in Yosemite National Park

#2428

Overall
  4.3 from 15 votes
5 Star
47%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
20%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#9

in Yosemite National Park

#306

in California

#2,428

Overall
3 Views Last Month
2,581 Since May 27, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate
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Photos

The trail as it makes its way through the forest burned during the Rim Fire.
May 27, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
One of the giant trees in the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias.
Mar 8, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
Thanks to the Rim Fire, more sunlight makes it to the forest floor, allowing new plants to thrive and restore the forest.
May 27, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
The forest has opened up and is beginning to recover from the Rim Fire.
May 27, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
The fire has opened up the forest floor so more sunlight can reach the plants below.
May 27, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
The trail as it makes its way back to the trailhead. It's a pleasant trail, popular with families.
May 27, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 20 days ago
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Aug 23, 2024
Jennifer Watson
1h 30m
Jul 27, 2024
Adam Socha
Sep 26, 2023
Allison Granos
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Aug 12, 2023
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Oct 12, 2022
Brett Wolfley
Jun 30, 2022
Leslie O'Lena Smogor
Oct 30, 2021
Chris Oistad
Oct 21, 2021
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