Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
4.5
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440 reviews
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Heiko de Vries
Usingen, Germany571 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Nice rest area at CA HW 120 West - opportunity for packed lunches. From the car park hiking trail to the large Sequoia trees. Impressive tree giants (in one of the giants a passage / passage has been milled into it).
Automatically translated
Written October 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carlee C
84 contributions
Aug 2020
My husband and I enjoyed our time here. Yes, it’s true that there are not a lot of sequoias to see (as compared to our trip to Sequoia National Park), but we still thought it was beautiful and a piece of history! The path down is easy and beautiful - at the bottom are picnic tables and a loop you can follow through the grove. As went went during 2020, reservations were limited and we had no trouble finding parking (even at 1pm) and had the place practically to ourselves. It was incredibly peaceful. We enjoyed the tunnel tree and the large sequoia that had fallen over and took a picture with its large root system. All in, it was a nice way to spend about an hour and twenty minutes on our way down Tioga Road. And what they say is true - the way back up is a little tough, especially in the heat and when you aren’t used to the altitude. We were glad we brought water with us. Highly recommend this stop!
Written August 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SAI_Traveller_2015
Hyderabad, India326 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Visited grove couple of weeks back. Please carry food and water. Walk is close to 5 miles if you wish to see fallen trees and complete the loop.
Will take 4-5 hours.
Will take 4-5 hours.
Written April 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph Robba
Charlotte, NC2,241 contributions
Sep 2020
It was a bucket list item for my wife to see some Sequoias on our trip to the Sierras, and unfortunately the Mariposa grove was closed due to the Creek Fire. We opted to check out the Tuolumne Grove, as it was one of the few areas that had Sequoias and was open.
I'll say that the grove itself is a bit disappointing. I believe there are about 7-8 Sequoias in total, which is a touch underwhelming, when we originally were hoping to see multiple Sequoias all the in the same place. We brought our young kids (ages 8, 5, and 2), and I would say at least for us, it was a bit much to hike down there and back for everyone. The hike down to the Grove isn't bad, but the hike back is mostly uphill, and proved to be quite challenging for us with the kids. The hike itself is not a hard hike, it's just a bit long for the little ones, and having to drag them and backpacks with camera equipment/snack and water, made the trek challenging.
I personally was underwhelmed by this particular grove. The Sequoias themselves, though few, are impressive. There is a dead tree tunnel that our kids enjoyed seeing, but overall It was a long walk down, and a long walk back, for very little.
I'll say that the grove itself is a bit disappointing. I believe there are about 7-8 Sequoias in total, which is a touch underwhelming, when we originally were hoping to see multiple Sequoias all the in the same place. We brought our young kids (ages 8, 5, and 2), and I would say at least for us, it was a bit much to hike down there and back for everyone. The hike down to the Grove isn't bad, but the hike back is mostly uphill, and proved to be quite challenging for us with the kids. The hike itself is not a hard hike, it's just a bit long for the little ones, and having to drag them and backpacks with camera equipment/snack and water, made the trek challenging.
I personally was underwhelmed by this particular grove. The Sequoias themselves, though few, are impressive. There is a dead tree tunnel that our kids enjoyed seeing, but overall It was a long walk down, and a long walk back, for very little.
Written October 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bidule05
France1,892 contributions
Sep 2020
In Yosemite national park, we hiked the fine Tuolumne Grove Trail (round trip: 2.5 miles, 500-feet elevation gain on return trip; duration: 1.5 hours).
We were amazed by the wonderful and majestic mature giant sequoias, especially the famous “Tunnel sequoia”. We learnt that the tunnel was gauged into the dead giant sequoia in 1878!
We were amazed by the wonderful and majestic mature giant sequoias, especially the famous “Tunnel sequoia”. We learnt that the tunnel was gauged into the dead giant sequoia in 1878!
Written May 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lea F
Oakdale, CA50 contributions
Jul 2020
Things you need to know if you've never been to Yosemite: believe what they say about the difficulty of the trail. We did this hike in just under 2 hours and it was 3 miles round trip. Steep and difficult is by no means an exaggeration. It's straight down all the way and straight up the whole way back. You WILL need to take breaks. I'm fat and 40 and contemplated giving up and just waiting to die in the woods. Dramatic, yes, but it was intense. There are only about 5 sequoias in the whole grove, the biggest of which is Big Red, so don't think for a moment that you're going to be surrounded by giant trees. And your first tree in a full mile away. Having said that, it was a nice way to spend a few hours. Best of all, we got to see a mama bear and her cub at the parking lot on our way back to the truck. Our boys will never forget that moment!
Written July 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JPatti1
Chicago, IL267 contributions
Jul 2020
Worth seeing if you do not plan on going to the much larger Mariposa Grove of sequoia. The walk is fairly short (though incessantly down and then back up) and brings you to a spot of about 20 beautiful trees. What is perhaps as impressive as the sequoia themselves are the lodgepole pine, which are beautiful and impressively large trees in their own right and can be found throughout the park.
Written July 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tracey k
Redmond, WA765 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
So, we are camping at El Portal with friends. We had just visited Sequoia National Park and driven down. Friends never seen a sequoia tree. For various reasons we end up at Tuolumne Grove. Merced grove is closed, mariposa drive time too much. To be fair, friends happy with excursion. I was just…sad. This example of leftover sequoias just….nothing like SNP. Still., if this is the only sequoia you can get to, easy enough, but you will work up some heat on Mile walk uphill from the grove to the parking lot. Certainly some nice photographs to be had. I would say in conclusion, go to Mariposa Grove.
Written September 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1991KEB
Navarre, FL1,684 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
This was a fun walk, about a mile of switch backs and a 400 foot elevation drop, a 10 percent elevation drop. There was snow in several areas to wear correct shoes. The sequoia's were beautiful but remember you have to back up once you get to the bottom.
Written April 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathrine
Pennsylvania639 contributions
Oct 2021
If this is your only chance to see Sequoias, then do this hike. If you plan to go to Sequoia NP, then skip this. There are not many sequoias (maybe 8 in total) at the bottom of the mile+ hike down the hill with an elevation difference of 400'. Take water. The sign says allow 2-3 hours and they mean it. It's easy to go down, but coming up could be/might be challenging for some even though the path is somewhat paved.
Written October 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the Tuolumne Grove Trailhead accessible during the winter? Searches have shown that Tioga Rd is closed after October and I plan to do a Viator tour in January that meets there.
Written December 19, 2017
The closure gate for Tioga Road is east of the parking lot for Tuolumne Grove. Tuolumne Grove will be accessible in January.
Written December 30, 2017
HoneyMoon2018
Pietrasanta, Italy
Ciao ! Ho letto che il sentiero si biforca a destra (Aspen Valley Road) e a sinistra (Big Oak Flat) così mi domandavo quale dei due sentieri è migliore ? Grazie
Irene
Written December 7, 2017
Mi scuso per il ritardissimo nella risposta ma vedo solo adesso il messaggio; anche io concordo che la scelta dipende dal tempo che hai a disposizione, non mi ricordo quale sia il più corto(quello che ho fatto io) ma nelle indicazioni è ben evidenziato il tempo di percorrenza di entrambi. La sequoia a tunnel si trova in quello più breve ma, non mi farei condizionare da questo nella scelta perchè non è poi così bella ed emozionante come le altre sequoie vive.
Written January 10, 2018
Buenos dias, voy a estar en Febrero por la zona, y como lei que Yosemite es complicado, queria ir a Mariposa Grove a ver por lo menos las Sequoias, esta bien o hay nieve?, donde me alojo ?, estoy viniendo de San Francisco, gracias!
Written August 17, 2017
Hi, just for clarification. You park the car at the Tuolumne Grove Trailhead and then you walk about 20 minutes to the high trees and then back?
Written August 8, 2017
Yes. The trail head will take a little bit longer than twenty minutes, especially going back up.
Written October 21, 2017
Can I take a stroller? Or would a wagon be better to take? ( have a little one to take on the trail)
Written July 6, 2017
It is a tarmac road, so a stroller should be ok, but it is very hilly
Written July 8, 2017
Hi, Live out. What would you like to know about this attraction?
How do we get to this trail head? I heard the Tioga Road is still closed? Do you think this is appropriate for an 8 year old? Thanks for your help! Best, Candy
Written June 6, 2017
It's easy to find and the trail head is well marked, and the trail itself is paved.
It's easy going down, but make sure you bring enough water, as the hike back up is a bit difficult.
An 8 year old should be able to handle it.
Written June 26, 2017
Will this be open to visit early May 2017?
Written April 19, 2017
Yes, on the main trail (there are some side loops where dogs aren't allowed). From the Yosemite NPS website:
"There are a few additional (very obscure and unsigned) places where pets are allowed:
- Wawona: Wawona Meadow Loop, Chowchilla Mountain Road, and Four Mile and Eleven Mile fire roads (but not the Four Mile Trail in Yosemite Valley).
- Hodgdon Meadow: Carlon Road from the trailhead to Hodgdon Meadow and on the Old Big Oak Flat Road from Hodgdon Meadow to Tuolumne Grove parking lot."
Written May 19, 2021
Is this trail safe to walk ie no wildlife will jump on us :)
Written October 4, 2016
It's a paved road... very unlikely you will encounter any wild animals, as too many stupid humans around :)
Written October 17, 2016
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