June 12, 2014 - Mariposa Grove

Title: June 12, 2014 - Mariposa Grove

Trail head: Mariposa Grove Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Grizzly Giant/Outer Loop

Destination: Wawona Point

Distance:  7.02 miles

Start Time:  11:31

End Time:     4:43

Travel Time: 5:11 (1.35 mph)

Moving Time: 3:22 (2.09 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,409'

Maximum Elevation: 6,806'

Description:

Grizzly Giant

I get up a little after 6 to a silent house to have my quiet time in. Sherri gets up at 7:30. By the time the three of us hit the road, it is after 9:30. Sherri drives, so I work on yesterday's blog entry.  We did not hit the trail at Mariposa Grove until 11:30, which is ok since we want a shorter hike, then stopping in Oakhurst at the South Gate Brewery on the way back.

Gary and his backpack

Sherri leads us straight up the trail to the Grizzly Giant. Usually we loop around and descend to this tree. Then it is onward to the California Tree. We talk to a women from Kona with two kids.  They follow us up a ways, then they cut over to the Clothespin Tree while we continue straight up to the saddle which is the entrance to the Meadow where the museum is. But before going to the museum, we enjoy the use of flush toilets.

Mariposa Museum

At the museum, we do not actually go in it, but we fix our lunch on the porch steps. Here we meet a volunteer named David L with his wife Maggie. They volunteer here for a month at a time. He sees our backpacks and we talk. First about backpacking, then about the history of the area, particularly Galen Clark. It is good to see another one who enjoys knowing the background of the area he is in. David told me of an interesting paper by Frederick Law Olmstead which served as the foundation for the National Park System.

Walking among the Sequoia's

Steven being rooted

 

Wawona Area from Wawona Point

Inside Telescope Tree

After our extended lunch, we leave around 2 for Wawona Point. My muscles must have atrophied during lunch. It seems a lot harder walking and carrying my pack now. Of course we are going up pretty good on a road. The sight from Wawona Point looks down onto the golf course and hotel, plus where Chilnualna Creek drains into.

Telescope Tree

We stay only long enough to enjoy the view, rest up some and continue on our way. We take the Outer Loop a Trail past the Fallen Tunnel Tree-it is fallen, so the tree is spread across the road below. Then we continue on to the a Telescope Tree. Of course we look up and see the sky. Then down to the saddle and restrooms.

Walking Down

From here, we cut across the museum meadow, to the north-east, where we catch the other side of the Outer Loop Trail. From here it is almost all a descent back to the parking lot. But on the way down we see several deer. After getting the car, it's off to Oakhurst and dinner.