Washburn Trail

The Washburn Trail is a singletrack dirt trail that departs the end of the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and makes its way up to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. It provides access to the grove when the shuttle busses are not running. The trail departs the far end of the parking lot where oversized vehicles and RVs park. The trail crosses a bridge over a small creek and then begins its climb through the forest toward the Mariposa Grove. The trail climbs up some switchbacks before straightening out. Around 3/4 of a mile to a mile, views off to the right side of the trail start to open up and you can see the surrounding forests. The trail is well-shaded for the most part as it passes through the woods. Shortly there after, there is a side trail that goes off to the left that leads to a picnic area and restrooms. As you get closer to the grove, the sounds of a stream can be heard as water that provides nourishment for the grove finds its way downstream. Giant Sequoia Trees start to come into view if you look hard enough. The parking area and walkway for the grove start to come into view, and one of the giant trees sits just off the trail on the right side. The trail emerges in the parking area for the grove, and from here you can follow the Big Trees Loop Trail up into the grove, where numerous trails provide you many opportunities to explore as much or as little of the grove as you would like. To get back to your car, you either have to catch a shuttle if they are running, or hike back down the Washburn Trail to your vehicle.