Mariposa Grove Yosemite Mariposa Grove BEFORE YOU START Ski or snowshoe touring in Yosemite can be a FACILITIES magnifi cent experience, or it can be a disaster KNOW THE RULES Winter if certain simple preparations are ignored. Park Toilets and a pay telephone are located in the park- rangers have assembled a set of suggestions Certain regulations must Yosemite National Park 50¢ ing area. The pay phone is located outside the gift which, when observed, can help ensure a safe be observed by winter backcountry users; these shop, which is closed in winter. The Mariposa Grove trip even if you encounter stormy weather or protect the park as well as visitors. Museum, located in the Upper Grove is closed during unforeseen problems. • Skiers planning overnight trips in the grove should winter. Plan your trip sensibly, keeping in mind your be prepared for snow camping. Camping in the experience and physical condition. Remember that Mariposa Grove is allowed between December 1 OPTIONS winter days are short and you may not be able to and April 15, and only in the Upper Grove, above travel as far as you expect. the Clothespin Tree. A wilderness permit, available Note that trail ratings are for average conditions. Before you leave on a trip, let someone know at ranger stations, is required for any overnight trip. Icy or crusty conditions, or deep snow can make where you’re going and when you’ll return. • Camp no closer than 100 feet (30.5 m) to lakes, trails much more diffi cult. Keep track of others in your party. , and trails. Always carry a map and compass and know • To dispose of human waste, dig through snow Loop Road (8 mi., 12.8 km, round trip): When how to use them. Unless you’re an expert with map and six inches into soil. the access road to the Mariposa Grove is closed due to • Pack out all garbage, including toilet paper. snow, you may park at the South Entrance and ski into and compass, stay on trails, which are located by yellow markers. Consider carrying a GPS unit, if you • Cutting tree limbs or boughs for shelter is the grove. The distance is two miles, and skiers should not permitted. be alert for snow removal equipment. Once you enter know how to use one. Get a weather forecast (209/372-0200)—then be • No pets permitted beyond plowed roads. the grove, the easiest route is along the unplowed road. • No motorized vehicles are permitted. Several giant sequoias, including the Fallen Monarch prepared for the unexpected. Even on short trips, carry proper gear and food • Skiers and snowshoers should make and maintain and the Tunnel Tree, are located along this separate tracks. route. for an unplanned bivouac. Always carry and drink plenty of water. If you are thirsty, you are already • Wood fi res are not allowed except for emergencies. Trail MG-1 (.8 mi., 1.3 km, one way): This trail dehydrated. leads to the largest tree in Yosemite, the Grizzly Giant, Clothing and equipment suggestions: Wear wool, GETTING INTO FOCUS and passes the California Tunnel Tree. From the Grizzly fl eece, or polypropylene—a wool or synthetic hat Giant, the easiest route to the Upper Grove is along the is essential. These fabrics retain some warmth even The Mariposa Grove is one of 75 scattered unplowed road. when wet. Pack a waterproof jacket. Carry quick- groupings of giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron Trail MG-2 (.8 mi., 1.3 km, one way): This trail energy food, water, waterproof matches, a fl ashlight, giganteum) on the western slope of the Sierra departs the road at the Clothespin Tree, a burned-out, and protection from the sun. Nevada. These impressive trees are the largest of but living giant sequoia. This is a more diffi cult route to If you become lost or must bivouac unexpectedly, living things; the Grizzly Giant in this grove measures the Upper Grove. THINK! Stop early to prepare for the night. Don’t 96 feet (31 m) in circumference and 27.6 feet (8.9 m) thrash around or panic; save your energy. Build a fi re, Trail MG-3 (1/2 mi., .4 km, one way): This route in diameter at its base. if possible. Avoid wind and insulate your body from departs the road at the Tree and leads to The prevailing climate at 6,000 feet (1,800 m) snow. Drink warm liquids, if possible; eat often and Wawona Point, an overlook with views of the Wawona in elevation—heavy snows, sunny days, mildly cold huddle together. Stay dry! Basin and the Coast Range across the San Joaquin nights, and suffi cient moisture—enable these trees Keep an eye on members of your party. Hypother- . to fl ourish. mia can be recognized by unusually slow movements, These trees are said by many to symbolize survival Trail MG-4 (.4 mi., .6 km, one way): This trail unintelligible speech, and peculiar behavior. If a and serenity, and they alter one’s perspective of time joins with MG-1 and MG-2 via a short section of the member of your party appears hypothermic, take and the way we live. To the poet, Edwin Markham, Loop Road. It is a more diffi cult route to the Upper quick action to keep him or her as warm as possible. these trees “belong to the silence and the millenni- Grove than the unplowed road. If you have informed someone of your expected ums. Many have seen more than one hundred of our return and are overdue, remember that help probably human generations rise…they chide our pettiness… Trail Rating Legend: is on the way. Maintain the attitude that you can standing here among the transitory shapes of time.” and will survive. Easiest More diffi cult Most diffi cult For you they offer another dimension—beautiful If someone in your party needs ranger assistance Skiers and snowshoers, please make and skiing! maintain separate, parallel trails. If you are and you can safely ski out, call 911 from the pay tele- walking, please stay off the ski trails. Foot- phone in the grove parking area or South Entrance. steps create holes in the snow, which can make skiing diffi cult and create hazards. 268000mE 269 270 271 MARIPOSA GROVE WINTER TRAILS

6000 Mileage scale

0 0.5 MILES 010.5 KILOMETERS Wawona Point Vista Elev. 6,810 feet Plowed road

5000 MG-3 Trail Unplowed road/ski trail Galen Clark Tree (marked with orange snow stakes) Elev. 6,600 feet N N Upper Grove m m D Marked ski trail R O A 000 O N A 000 AW Columbia Tree

55 W 55 Downhill direction 41 41 Fallen Structure Mariposa Tree COMFORT Wawona STATION (closed) MUSEUM Tunnel Tree Telephone (closed) MG-2 Trail Restroom

Giant sequoia locations TO WAWONA Contour interval = 100 feet (30.5 m) Faithful Couple Clothespin Telescope Tree Tree

MG-4 Trail Ski Trail Rating:* Easiest More diffi cult Most SOUTH ENTRANCE STATION COMFORT STATION diffi cult * Trail ratings are based upon ideal snow conditions 54 54 41 41 MG-1 Trail Lower and may change radically due to changes in

1 Grove weather or snow conditions. 4 Y A California Tunnel Tree W H Grizzly Giant G Skiers and snowshoers, please make and I

H maintain separate, parallel trails. E G R O V R O S A A O D I P R Bachelor & Three Graces 5000 A

M Fallen Monarch 17 True North Magnetic North

5000 This project made possible through a gift from the 6000 Jeangerard Foundation. Printed on recycled paper. © 2006. 53 53 41 41

5000

268000mE 269 270 271