Mariposa Grove (Part 2)

While hiking to our next tree we discover a Snow Plant growing just above the side of the trail in close proximity to a group of pine trees. It was growing in a shady dark area and we almost missed it. This plant is a parasitic plant that derives sustenance and nutrients from fungi that attach to roots of trees and its name derives from the striking red flower that emerges from the sometimes still snow-covered ground of the Sierra Nevada in early spring.

Continuing our hike we arrive at the base of the Faithful Couple tree. At first glance we thought that this is just another sequoia tree in the grove. Then, we looked up and found that actually there are two sequoias that grew very close to each other and have actually fused together at their bases to form one tree, what a pleasant surprise! Interesting enough they remain two very separate trees at the top.

The two sequoias spent their whole lives next to each other and just couldn’t bear being separated.

Is there anymore appropriate picture of Eti and I, a couple that have been faithful to each other for more than 40 years?

Next tree on our list was the Clothespin Tree which unlike the California Tunnel Tree and the Wawona Tunnel Tree is hollowed out by natural causes. We learned that it took many fires to create the tunnel in this tree, and yet the tree survived enough to continue growing despite the large hole in its base. In order not to hurt the shallow roots and kill other plants trying to grow around the tree we kept a distance and took the pictures from a short distance.

Continue our hike we came across the Columbia tree which is the tallest tree the grove and in Yosemite National Park at 285 feet (87 m) and a 16.4 ft diameter at the base.

Even visitor on the tram couldn’t hide their amusement of this tree, they couldn’t hold their head up for too long to see the top of the Columbia Tree.  

We hike a short distance north of the museum to visit the Fallen Tunnel Tree which considers one of the famous trees in the world.  We learned that since 1818 millions of visitors to the grove drove through the large man-made 9 foot tunnel that was carved at the base of it.

 

This tree stood 234 feet high, and was 26 feet in diameter at the base. Heavy snow, wet soil and the weakening effect of the tunnel caused it to fall down in 1969, and today it lays on its side.

A short distance to the west of the Fallen Tunnel Tree we visit the Galen Clark Tree which is named for Galen Clark who spend his life living among trees in his log cabin and protected the grove.

We also learned that he was the one who convinced President Abraham Lincoln to set aside the grove as a protected reserve “for public use, resort, and recreation”. Other than John Muir, no one worked harder to protect this area than Galen Clark.