Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias

The trailhead is located on Tioga Road half a mile from Highway 120 on the left-hand side. There is a large parking lot at the trailhead along with picnic tables and restrooms.The trail leaves out of the back of the main parking lot past some picnic tables. There are informational signs on the right of the trail that provide insights into the life of the Giant Sequoias and the trail. The trail moves along a concrete trail toward the grove through the forest. The Rim Fire burned through this area in 2013, so you get to observe a forest recovering from wildfire. Because more sunlight reaches the floor of the forest, smaller plants and shrubs are growing back. Dogwoods flourish along the trail in the spring as sunlight reaches them through the open canopy. At roughly a third of a mile, the trail begins to descend toward the grove. Even through the fire burned through the area, the trail is well shaded from the sun. At roughly .7 miles, the trail cuts back to the left and continues to descend through the burnt forest. If you know what you are looking for, you may be able to see the tops of a couple of the Giant Sequoias off to the right-hand side of the trail. As the trail circles to the right, you pass a sign indicating that you are entering the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. Continuing downhill for another .1 or .2 miles, the first Giant Sequoia sits off to the left side of the trail. Because the root system of a Giant Sequoia is wider (not deeper) in order to absorb more moisture, there are fences that prevent visitors from getting too close to the trees. People hiking around the bases of the trees compacts the dirt, making it more difficult for the root system to absorb water and nutrients. Do the trees a favor, and stay on the appropriate side of the fence.Continuing straight ahead, the trail arrives at the Tuolumne Grove Loop Trail, which is a short loop through the grove that sits on the right side of the trail. Informational signs line the trail providing information about the giant trees, their life cycles, and the impact that they have on the forest. A couple of Giant Sequoias stand tall in the forest on the left side of the trail. The Old Big Oak Flat Road continues straight ahead toward Hodgdon Meadow. Most people take the Tuolumne Grove Loop Trail and then return to their car, climbing back up the road that they descended earlier. This trail is an opportunity to see another one of the natural wonders that the National Park protects.