Yosemite’s Giant Sequoia Grove Reopening To Public

Yosemite National Park, CA — After nearly three years of restoration work, Yosemite visitors have the opportunity to walk among the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias beginning this Friday.

Yosemite National Park officials say today that the reopening of the grove to the public beginning Friday at 9 a.m. follows an official dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday. That event, hosted by the park and Yosemite Conservancy for dignitaries, will commemorate what they describe as the culmination of the park’s largest restoration project ever. Aimed at restoring the grove’s dynamic ecology and increasing its resilience, the undertaking’s total cost of $40 million was equally funded by the park and conservancy.

Home to nearly 500 mature trees, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is located near the South Entrance to the park along Highway 41. As reported in more detail here, included in the three-year work scope was the demolition of the former parking areas that infringed upon the grove’s hydrology; creation of a new welcome plaza and boardwalk; also reestablishment of wetlands and an accessible trail system that protects sensitive parts of the grove. To view images click into the image box slideshow.

To access the area, visitors should park in the new South Entrance Parking Area and take the shuttle to the Lower Grove Arrival Plaza. Park officials note, since there is ongoing hazard tree removal taking place between Oakhurst and the park boundary along Highway 41, visitors may experience some delays along the way.