Good news for visitors in 2022 is that the free shuttle to and from the grove is back in operation! General Sherman in Sequoia National Park is the world’s largest tree by volume. See Sequoia National Park: Land of Giants for details, pictures and travel tips. Unfortunately, that meant a four- mile roundtrip hike - just to get to and from the car! Although I was very disappointed to skip it, we had just spent three days amongst sequoias in the Kings Canyon and Sequoia parks. Last year, because of COVID and staffing issues, the shuttle tram was not running. Visitors must park two miles away, but there normally is a free shuttle to the grove. Located in the southernmost section of the park, there are several trails, including an easy loop walk. Home to several hundred mature sequoia trees - including the 1,800 year-old Grizzly Giant - it’s the largest grove in Yosemite. Mariposa GroveĪnother outstanding experience on that trip was visiting the nearby Mariposa Grove. It’s one of my favorite memories from our first Yosemite vacation, many years ago.
We had a fun early evening ride through the woods that was interrupted by “robbers” on horseback! Afterwards was a wonderful barbeque dinner and campfire under the trees.
The historic narrow gauge railroad offers train rides, gold panning, and more. It overlooked the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. About two decades ago, when the boys were adolescents, we stayed there at the family-friendly Narrow Gauge Inn. That entrance is situated about 10-15 miles from the charming town of Mariposa. Parts of the over three-hour drive are quite scenic, but also mountainous with a lot of sharp curves. Then north on Highway 41, entering Yosemite at the Arch Rock Entrance. Four are located on the western side of the park, while the fifth, Tioga Pass, is on the more remote, eastern side.Īfter leaving Kings Canyon early in the morning, we traveled through Fresno for breakfast. There are five entrances into Yosemite, and the road to each offers unique sights to see along the way. Situated 27 miles from Yosemite Valley, the National Historic Landmark hotel is near the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias and the Pioneer History Center. Your support is appreciated! Disclosure Policy. If you make a purchase I may earn a small commission that helps to offset website operating costs with no additional cost to you. I use affiliate links and am an Amazon Associate. It was wonderful to be outdoors, without a mask, enjoying all the mountain fresh air! After having the park closures of Sequoia and Kings Canyon right on our heels, we were relieved to arrive safely in Yosemite with the scent of smoke and fires behind us. Then hubby filled in the rest of our stays at B&B’s and hotels in Monterey, Big Sur, Paso Robes and San Francisco. Several months later - and fully vaccinated -we felt confident enough to book direct flights. First, we worked backwards, booking other park lodging in Kings Canyon and Sequoia.ĭue to the continued uncertainty of pandemic conditions in 2021, we only booked the lodges and other accommodations that were fully cancellable. We built our entire vacation around those nights. That March 2021, he had snagged two nights in September at Yosemite’s Ahwahnee Hotel, the crown jewel of national park lodges. After deciding it was too early to reschedule our pandemic-cancelled June 2020 Ireland trip, hubby suggested California.