Coastal Redwoods versus the Giant Sequoias

The  Giant Sequoias  (Sequoiadendron gigantean) of Sierra Nevada. There are 75 groves nestled in the high Sierra Nevada Mountains of Western Sierra Nevada found in Sequoia, Kings Canyon and in the Yosemite National Park.  Its scientific name is Sequoiadendron gigantean. Only three major Groves are found in the Yosemite: The Mariposa Grove, Merced and Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. The Sequoias  were  named after the Cherokee Indian leader, Sequoyah. The mystery about the Giant Sequoia and how they got here still unsolved. The Sequoias are the largest, oldest  and  the fastest  growing trees in  the World with remarkable  resistance  against insects  invasions,  disease and fire thanks to the thickness of their  bark . Their bark  constitutes an armor and protects the tree from all threats. The  bark  can reach  2 feet large .The Giant Sequoias  have a shallow root system that  spray  over 150 around but not deeper than  10 feet .The ancient Sequoias die as they fall over because of their massive weight  that may exceed  2.8 pounds.  Fire scars burned into their barks in the Yosemite and elsewhere  witness their fire resistance and longevity. Join  us on a hike to the Yosemite Groves of Sequoias and pictures these giants tress in Mariposa  Grove or  Tuolumne Gove.
Sequoias’ Growing conditions require deep, well-drained soil and elevations between 4500 and 7.000 feet where water is available from melting snow (mild, wet winters and dry, warm summers) Young trees below 500 years-old have pointed crowns, mature trees approaching 1.000 years-old develop rounded tops while Ancient Sequoias approaching 3000 years-old have dead top as a result of repeated lighting strikes.

Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias for a Discovery Walk

There are 75 groves in the whole Western Sierra Nevada  There are three  major groves  found in the Yosemite: The Mariposa grove, Merced and the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. The mystery about the Giant Sequoia and how they  got here still unsolved . Our Discovery Walk of 1.30 minutes for almost a mile each way will get you closer to these mysterious  trees. The Hiking trail  is easy going  downhill, you will  lose an elevation of 400 feet . However, It’s harder on the way uphill. The  Tuolumne grove itself contains a couple of  dozen of  young and  mature Giant Sequoias, including one you can walk through!   
This hiking trail is closed for all vehicles unlike the Mariposa Grove where a tram tour is available offering .  The Tuolumne grove  is more peaceful and off the beaten path. It offers serenity, beauty and peace away from the crowds. As we start hiking downhill, you can admire the coniferous wild forest home to White fir, Red fir, Noble fir , Douglas fir, Sugar Pines, and the amazing Incense-Cedar characterized by the reddish of I their  barks. Smell the perfume of the Pacific Dogwood as they start blooming in spring. They are small to medium-sized tree, reaching 10-25 m tall. Dogwood trees   Offer  beautiful white and pink flowers. Unlike the US  East Coast   Dogwoods where the flower  provides  four bracts around the fruit, the Pacific Dogwoods  of the Sierra Nevada usually  produce  6 large white pink  bracts  surrounding the yellow fruit in the center.  The fruit can contain up to 100 small  seeds ( it seems to be edible but not tasty!)

The major highlight of the Tuolumne hiking trail is the massive Giant Sequoias that start profiling through the forest as we wind our road downhill. Our tour guide will talk about the importance of controlled fire carried out by qualified rangers to enhance the wildlife of the forest.  The first Giant Sequoia will suddenly close all your perspective on the left side where you will see the first Sequoias of the Tuolumne grove. It is the oldest and largest Sequoia of the Tuolumne Grove. As we walk through the Tuolumne grove , you will see many other young and mature trees .The most striking one is the Dead Tunnel tree where you can walk through. It died after dogging a tunnel into it back in 1878 to allow stagecoaches to go through the Tuolumne grove. The trail has interpretive signs along the way that help the hiker to better understand more about the Sequoias. Another striking Sequoia as we cross a stream is the Fallen Sequoia with its huge shallow roots exposed at the base away from its summit. Some kids walk through it.

Tips to hikers:

• Carry enough water for fairy rigorous hike allowing 1.30mnt for 2 miles round trip
• no restroom in the grove
• if you see a bear don’t get too close
• have hiking shoes.  Don’t hike if you smoke or pregnant or have any health or  respiratory issue. Golden Horizon Travel assumes no responsibility of any accident or  injury that may occur during this hike.
• the return uphill is a fairy rigorous hike about 400 elevations.
• Usually, the Tuolumne grove  is open from  May  through October, the hiking trail is located above 6.300 ft high on the edge of the Crane Flat area, just off the  Tioga Road. Tioga Pass is the only access through the Sierra Nevada (closed November through June  due to  heavy snow ).