Poles and Lenses: Mariposa Grove (Part 1)

Upon arriving at Mariposa Grove of Giants Sequoias we felt relieved. It took us about 5 minutes of waiting in line to get into the bathroom but we couldn’t have it any other way.

We visited this grove last year and it was better this year because now we were more familiar with the grove and knew what to look for in the shortest and easiest way.

Starting the hike on the lower trail we noticed it is very well maintained and organized. Every noticeable giant sequoia is marked with a sign describing the name and history of that sequoia, which made it a pleasant and very informative visit.

As we first started along the trail we immediately noticed a gigantic tree on its side.

This is the Fallen Monarch, and scientists estimate that it has been on its side for centuries. We noticed it has not decayed and there are not very many plants growing on it even through it has been dead for hundreds of years. Acid in the bark makes it almost impossible for anything to grow on it, which preserves the tree better than other trees.

Walked up close and looked at the roots. We learned that the roots do not go deep into the soil, only about 6ft, but they can stretch as far as 150 feet to the side, soaking up all the water it can find, and creating a very stable base that can keep the massive tree up against strong winds.

Continuing on the trail we came across a group of four sequoias called Bachelor and Three Graces which is one massive tree next to the smaller trees. There is no particular story behind these four trees, but it makes for a pleasant sight.

Apparently, the trees were named simply for their proximity to one another. As the Bachelor tries to get the attention of one of the Three Graces.

Next we came across the Grizzly Giant which is one of the main attractions of the Mariposa Grove and is appropriately named. This giant is estimated to be over 1,800 years old, and is 100ft around at its base. Looking up the tree we noticed a very thick branch sticking out to the side that looks like it could be a tree by itself. Well we were not far off: we find out that the branch is 7ft in diameter and is thicker than any other non-sequoia tree in the grove!
Looking at this massive giant we also learned that it is estimate to survived over one hundred fires in its long lifetime.

The base which is about 100ft in diameter is so big we were wondering how many people will need to encircle it.

We walked a short distance past the Grizzly Giant and found ourselves in front the California Tunnel Tree. The hole or “tunnel” at the base was cut in 1895 so that horse-drawn stagecoaches could pass through as the forest was probably too dense to go around. This is the only tunneled tree in the grove that is still standing today.