of Giant Sequoias Mariposa Grove Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Yosemite Wawona Point Vista Elev. 6,810 feet 15 WELCOME TO THE MARIPOSA GROVE But why are young sequoias so sparse away from True North Magnetic North of Giant Sequoias These trees, , are not the the road? Shortly after these trees were discovered, in Upper Grove Tree oldest living things. Although the oldest giant sequoias a well-intended effort to protect them, people began may exceed 3,000 years in age, some living specimens suppressing natural fi res. More shade-tolerant trees MUSEUM/BOOK Fallen SALES Wawona of the ancient bristlecone , Pinus arista, are more quickly spread over the forest fl oor, reducing sunlight, Tunnel Tree 50¢ Elev. than 4,600 years old! competing for moisture, and blanketing the mineral soil 6,600 feet Giant sequoias are not the tallest living things, either. with their needles and debris. It became impossible for The related coastal redwoods, Sequoia sempervirens, sequoia seedlings to get started. grow higher, up to 368 feet (112 meters). These “Sierra Outer Only lightning-caused fi res reduce the competition Loop Telescope redwoods” top out around 310 feet (94 meters); the from other evergreens, burn away the leaf litter, and Tree Faithful Clothespin tallest in the Mariposa Grove is about 290 feet (88 Tree leave a thin layer of nutrient-rich ash over the mineral TO Couple WAWONA meters). soil. Also, the heat from a fi re dries some of the mature 6 MILES Giant sequoias don’t even have the greatest basal trees’ green sequoia cones, causing a shower of fresh diameters. The Montezuma cypress, Taxodium mucro- seeds to fall onto a perfectly-prepared seedbed. When TO FISH CAMP nutum, of Mexico may exceed 50 feet (15 meters). winter comes, snow blankets the Mariposa Grove. As Lower Grove Tunnel Tree The largest giant sequoia is just over 40 feet (12 meters) the snowpack melts the following spring, sunlight, in basal diameter. moisture, fresh seeds, ash, and mineral soil combine So how did these trees capture the attention of the to create a sequoia nursery. Bachelor & Grizzly Giant Three Graces Elev. 6,000 feet world? Simply stated, in total volume the giant sequoias This dependency on natural fi res for sequoia repro- BUS LOT Fallen Monarch are the largest living things known to humans. duction was not understood until the early 1960s. By

TRAM BOARDING AREA ELEV. 5,600 FEET On your right as you start into the grove on the main then, 100 years of unburned forest litter and young GIFT SNACK SHOP trail is the Fallen Monarch (pictured on cover). Biologists evergreens were present, producing a massive fuel Mileage Scale suspect that this tree has been down for centuries. load. Had lightning ignited a fi re under these unnatu- 0 1/2 Tannic acid in the wood suppresses the initial growth ral conditions, an intense crown fi re that might have Parking Area MILE of fungi and bacteria, essentially arresting decay of a killed the largest trees could have occurred. To reduce 0 1/2 Road KILOMETER fallen sequoia. Only when rain and melting snow have this abnormal fuel supply and promote giant sequoia leached the tannin from the wood can decay begin. reproduction, the began a series Tram Route (operates Mid-May through October) For your safety and to help preserve what remains of of “prescribed burns,” that were deliberately set and the Fallen Monarch, please do not climb on it. closely monitored by rangers, during spring and fall. Trail Structure/Shop Notice the roots of this tree. Sequoias do not have When the forest returns to a more natural state, these Tram Stop Telephone deep tap roots; instead the roots spread out near the management fi res will probably be discontinued. Then surface to capture water. While the roots are usually nature can resume its cycle of lightning-caused fi res Restrooms Trees Mentioned in Text no deeper than six feet (2 meters), they can fan out every seven to twenty years. more than 150 feet (45 meters), providing a stable At the Bachelor and Three Graces, you can often base to balance the massive trunk. When visitors stay fi nd egg-shaped sequoia cones. The crown of a mature This project made possible through a gift from the Jeangerard Foundation. on the road and , it minimizes soil compaction that giant sequoia may bear thousands of green cones at Printed on recycled paper. © 2006. damages these surface roots. any one time. Each cone contains about 200 tiny fl at This brochure was written by National Park Service Ranger Jon Kinney who Lining the road above the Fallen Monarch are seeds, roughly ¼ inch (1 cm) in length and resembling died in May, 1986. Jon felt a sense of wonder for these great trees and numerous young sequoias, distinguished by their foliage rolled oat fl akes. These female cones grow on the upper shared his feelings with thousands of park visitors on his walks through the Mariposa Grove. He continues to speak, in the silence of this grove, to all of of round, overlapping scales, distinctive conical profi les, branches. us about life on this planet and the sacredness of our wilderness. and soft, spongy bark. Strangely, there are few young To reproduce, giant sequoias depend on the wind. sequoias back in the forest. Can you guess why? Late winter storms bring strong winds that carry the All Photos Courtesy of Yosemite Research Library. To germinate, sequoia seeds have three requirements: pollen from the lower branches of one tree to the upper 1) some direct sunlight, 2) adequate moisture, and branches of others, allowing the seeds to be pollinated 3) bare mineral soil. Ironically, road construction creates and continuing the genetic mixing necessary for healthy a perfect seedbed by opening up the forest fl oor to reproduction. Welcome to the Mariposa Grove of sunlight, increasing moisture along the roadsides, and Please remember to leave all cones where you fi nd Giant Sequoias. If you are impressed providing bare mineral soil on the road’s banks. them for other visitors and squirrels to enjoy. with the trees in the parking area, you will be awed by the larger trees ahead. Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Yosemite National Park

THE GRIZZLY GIANT 1¼ MILES (2 km) FURTHER ANOTHER ½ MILE (.8 km) TURNING RIGHT is one of the largest trees in the Mariposa Grove is the Clothespin Tree. Numerous fi res have excavated straight ahead from the museum junction is the top of from the Galen Clark Tree leads you to perhaps the and is estimated to be 1,800 years old. As you near a natural tunnel wider than a car. Size is deceptive here, the upper portion of the Mariposa Grove. Directly in most famous tree in the world, the fallen Wawona its base, look up. That huge limb on the south side is almost so walk up and stand in the opening. front stands the Galen Clark Tree, named for the person Tunnel Tree. Who knows how many millions of visitors seven feet (2 m) in diameter, which is larger than the The Spanish named the region to the west Mariposa who did so much to protect these sequoias. In 1857 drove through this tree between 1881, when the tunnel diameter of the trunk of any non-sequoia in the grove! for the many butterfl ies they observed in the foothills. Clark fi rst entered this grove, probably following the was cut, and 1969, when it fi nally collapsed under a Some 50 yards (45 m) beyond the Grizzly Giant is One of the most perfectly shaped sequoias, the Mariposa draw ahead of you. He was so impressed that he spent record snowload. Weakened by the massive hole in its the California Tunnel Tree, cut in 1895 to allow horse- Tree, carries the name of the county. Notice the almost the rest of his life guiding visitors among these wonders base, it may have died 1,000 years prematurely. But drawn stages to pass through. Most visitors don’t know completely healed fi re scar near the base of this and urging their protection. the stories and pictures of this gentle giant traveled that two trees in this grove were tunneled, and this is magnifi cent tree. In 1864 paused during the Civil around the world and undoubtedly contributed to the the only one still standing. Walk down and stroll Another ¼ mile (.4 km) will take you to the War to set aside the Mariposa Grove and Yosemite preservation of its brethren. through a tree! Mariposa Grove Museum. This fi ne cabin occupies as a protected state reserve “for public use, resort, and Returning along the upper grove loop road, you’ll Only an occasional large sequoia occurs along this the site where Galen Clark built a small cabin in 1861. recreation.” Mr. Clark lived to see Yosemite National fi nd the Telescope Tree. Close your eyes and walk dry slope between the lower and upper portions of the Inside are exhibits on the ecology and history of giant Park established in 1890 and this grove incorporated inside. With your eyes still closed, lean your head back Mariposa Grove. About ½ mile (.8 km) up from the sequoias, as well as books and postcards for sale. into the park in 1906. Along with , Galen and slowly open your eyes. Incredible! This amazing tree Grizzly Giant, in a level area with more ground moisture, Clark was instrumental in Yosemite’s preservation, and is still alive and producing viable seeds. The sequoias’ is the Faithful Couple. Here two large trees have fused it is fi tting that this beautiful tree bears his name as a resistance to fi re, disease, insects, and decay that allows together at their bases, but remain clearly separated living memorial. them to live through the centuries. The Telescope Tree is above. On the opposite side of the road stand two You can help protect To your left, an easy side road leads ¼ mile (.4 km) a notable example of their endurance. smaller trees that may form the next “faithful couple” the Mariposa Grove to Wawona Point, offering an ideal lunch stop with a A wise man once said, “A culture is measured by 500 years from now. stunning view to the west and north. what it preserves.” Although Yellowstone became our and preserve fi rst designated national park in 1872, the idea for the giant sequoias preserving our natural treasures budded here in this by staying on roads grove at least eight years earlier. America’s national park and offi cial trails. Please help preserve idea may be our most noteworthy contribution to the this magnifi cent forest spiritual wealth of mankind. and leave all cones Tuck this pamphlet away and walk slowly back down, where you fi nd them. letting this special place touch you.