Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park

The Giant Sequoia trees of the Sierra Nevadas are the largest trees by volume and the oldest living organisms on the planet.  Some were standing a thousand years before Jesus was born. Just imagine the history that continues to pass the giants by as they continue to stretch into their full height and girth.

Characterized by their colossal trunks, some exceeding 30 feet in diameter, and soaring to heights of over 300 feet, the Giant Sequoias are quite literally giants of fairy tale proportions. 

Within Yosemite, at Mariposa Grove, there is a small, protected sanctuary of about 500 giants. 

The drive to Mariposa was spectacular, as we climbed higher and higher above the Merced River and the Valley below. We hugged the mountainside and drove the windy zig zag road through dappled tree tunnels until we reached Wawona Hotel, stopping at the Visitor Center for another National Park cancellation stamp.

After a quick restroom stop (Henry can hardly believe how often a menopausal woman needs the toilet!!! He says I have the bladder of a hamster!!!) we continued on to Mariposa Grove to walk amongst the giants.

Once there, we took an easy, paved hike stopping to enjoy the Grizzly Giant, the California Tree Tunnel and The Bachelor and The Graces. You can no longer drive through the California Tree Tunnel and our huge Chevvy Silverado truck would never make it through anyway!

Unlike the Sequoia National Park, we could not get close enough to gently hug the feet and toes of the giants and hear the news from the forest by putting our ears close to the trunk and listening to their whispers.  Low wooden fences protected the giants from the passing hikers.

We were all in awe of the tree beasts, their massive torsos and their arms reaching up into the sky, their bearded tree top heads touching the clouds, glimpsing into magic kingdoms.

It is truly humbling to stand in their presence.