Usually the park shuttle service is the only way to get to the trailheads at the grove. But thanks to Covid, the only way to get there was a 2 mile hike in. All the park literature and signs made it seem like an easy stroll to the trails. That was good because it was quite a hike once you got to the shuttle stop at the Grove.
Because we'd gotten an early start there weren't many people on the trail with us. About 1/4 mile up the trail, Chris asked if I had everything we needed. And for some strange reason (it was a God thing), I checked the camera only to discover my memory card was still in my computer back at the trailer. Since our new camera doesn't have any internal memory, Chris pulled off his pack and ran back to get it. He's so sweet!
He wasn't gone two minutes when I heard something big walking towards me in the woods. And it wasn't deer big. It was really BIG! Bear big! And there I was standing there all alone, completely silent with a pack full of snacks. I also had bear spray, but I wasn't really interested in seeing a bear close enough to use it. So I did what all smart back-country hikers do in bear country. I started to hum. And it immediately stopped. So I just kept humming until Chris came back.
I hesitated to tell him of my near bear encounter for fear I would sound paranoid. But he had heard it, too. He thought it was a horse. Except that horses don't wander through the woods along trails...
I hesitated to tell him of my near bear encounter for fear I would sound paranoid. But he had heard it, too. He thought it was a horse. Except that horses don't wander through the woods along trails...
Well, no matter. We had our memory card and we chatted as we walked. Until the trail started to go up. Then it started to really go up. None of the stuff said anything about an elevation gain. Thankfully it wasn't too hot and we were nice and fresh after a good night's sleep.
We made it safe and sound to the top to discover that there were miles of trails among the big trees. But we really didn't have the time or the desire to hike that much. So we picked the trail that went by the highlights and headed out...
"Located in the southern portion of Yosemite, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is the largest sequoia grove in Yosemite and is home to over 500 mature giant sequoias. The national park idea is rooted in the Mariposa Grove. In 1864 President Lincoln signed legislation protecting the Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley for "public use, resort, and recreation." This landmark legislation holds an important place in our country's history and was enacted at a time when the nation was embroiled in the Civil War. For the first time in our nation's history, the federal government set aside scenic natural areas to be protected for the benefit of future generations. Later added to Yosemite National Park in 1906, the Mariposa Grove is a popular destination within the park."
It didn't take long to discover that it was aptly named. Those suckers were huge!
The first tree is the Fallen Monarch...
This really puts its size in perspective
There were so many it was hard to not take so many pictures...
even the cones are HUGE!
Next on the trail map was the Bachelor and the Three Graces...
The Grizzly Giant...
Then the famous California Tunnel Tree...
If you look closely, you can see me standing in the tunnel!
Then it was time to complete the loop and head back to the trailer for lunch and the drive north.
While eating our lunch in the trailer we heard the pop of a paintball gun not far away. Probably scaring our bear away from the crowds.
It was a fantastic week and we are so thankful we got the opportunity to see it!
