Mariposa Grove Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Mariposa Grove
Grizzly Giant tree of Mariposa Grove
Map
Mariposa Grove is located at the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park
Geography
Location	Yosemite National Park, California, United States
Coordinates	37°30′50″N 119°35′54″W / 37.51389°N 119.59833°W / 37.51389; -119.59833
Elevation	5,740–6,730 ft (1,750–2,050 m)
Ecology
Dominant tree species	Sequoiadendron giganteum

Mariposa Grove is a special forest located in the southern part of Yosemite National Park in California, United States. It is famous for being home to hundreds of giant sequoia trees, which are some of the largest trees on Earth. Two of these trees are even among the 30 biggest giant sequoias in the entire world!

The grove was first explored by people from outside the area in 1857. Two men, Galen Clark and Milton Mann, discovered it and named it after Mariposa County, California, where it is located.

One of the most famous trees here is the Grizzly Giant. It is incredibly old, probably between 1900 and 2400 years old! This makes it the oldest tree in the grove. The Grizzly Giant is also very tall, standing at about 210 feet (64 meters). Its base is super wide, like a giant's foot.

Another well-known tree was the Wawona Tree. In the 1800s, a tunnel was cut through it so that horse-drawn carriages and early cars could drive right through! Sadly, the tree became weak from this large opening and fell during a storm in 1969.

In 1864, Abraham Lincoln signed a special law that gave Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley to the state of California. Later, the grove was returned to federal control when Yosemite National Park was created.

The Mariposa Grove Museum is a historic building in the grove. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Amazing Giant Sequoia Trees

Mariposa Grove is home to many incredible giant sequoia trees. Each one has its own unique story or feature. Here are some of the most noteworthy trees you can find:

Fallen Monarch

The Fallen Monarch is a giant sequoia that fell over 300 years ago. Giant sequoias are very strong and resist rotting, so their remains can stay on the ground for a long time. It's one of the first things visitors see.

The Bachelor and Three Graces

This is a group of four giant sequoias. Three of them grow very close together, almost touching. The fourth tree is a little further away. Their roots are so tangled that if one tree fell, it might pull the others down with it!

Grizzly Giant

The Grizzly Giant is the oldest tree in the grove, estimated to be up to 2400 years old. It's also the second largest tree in Mariposa Grove.

Washington Tree

The Washington tree is the largest tree in the grove by volume. It's a truly massive tree!

General Sheridan Tree

The General Sheridan tree is a very tall giant sequoia, standing at 286 feet (87 meters). You can find it near the Mariposa Grove Cabin.

General Grant Tree

This is another large giant sequoia located near the Mariposa Grove Cabin. Be careful not to confuse it with the even more famous General Grant Tree in Sequoia National Park!

Columbia Tree

The Columbia tree is the tallest tree in Mariposa Grove and also the tallest tree in all of Yosemite National Park. It reaches an amazing height of 286 feet (87 meters)!

California Tunnel Tree

The California Tunnel Tree had a tunnel cut through it in 1895. This was done to allow horse-drawn carriages to pass through and to attract more visitors. It is now the only living giant sequoia with a tunnel in it, after the Wawona Tunnel Tree fell in 1969.

The Faithful Couple

This is a rare sight where two trees grew so close together that their trunks have joined at the bottom. It looks like they are holding hands!

The Clothespin Tree

Over many years, countless fires burned through this tree's trunk. This created a large opening, almost like a clothespin, big enough for a pickup truck to drive through.

The Telescope Tree

The Telescope tree has become completely hollow inside due to repeated fires. Even though it's hollow, the tree is still alive! Giant sequoias don't need a full trunk to survive. You can actually walk inside this tree and look up to see the sky. However, being hollow makes it weaker against strong winds.

Galen Clark Tree

This tree is important because it's believed to be the first giant sequoia that Galen Clark saw when he entered the grove. Seeing these trees inspired him to work hard to protect this land, which was a new idea back then.

Wawona Tunnel Tree

The Wawona Tunnel Tree was famous for the tunnel carved through its trunk in 1881. It was renamed the "Fallen Tunnel Tree" after it fell during a heavy snowstorm in 1969. Its fall made people realize how important it was to protect these sensitive ecosystems, even for huge trees like the giant sequoias.

The Fallen Giant

This was one of the largest trees in the grove until it fell in 1873.

The Massachusetts Tree

The Massachusetts tree was once a very famous tree in the grove. It fell in 1927.

Mariposa Grove Museum


Mariposa Grove Museum
U.S. National Register of Historic Places

The Mariposa Grove Museum
Location in California
Nearest city	Wawona, California
Area	1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built	1930
Architect	National Park Service
Architectural style	Rustic
NRHP reference No.	78000381
Added to NRHP	December 1, 1978

The Mariposa Grove Museum, also known as the Mariposa Grove Cabin, is a large cabin built in 1930. It sits near two huge giant sequoia trees: the General Grant and General Sheridan. This cabin was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 because of its historical importance.

Inside the museum, you can see many old photographs and learn about the history of Mariposa Grove. There are also restrooms available for visitors.

Gallery

Fallen Monarch, a fallen giant sequoia that greets visitors at the parking lot.
The Bachelor and Three Graces
California Tunnel Tree, the last living giant sequoia tunnel tree.
The Clothespin Tree
The Mariposa Grove Cabin, located in the shadow of the General Grant (center) and General Sheridan (right) trees.
Wawona Tunnel Tree, also known as the Fallen Tunnel Tree.