CSERC’s latest Director’s Report explains that Yosemite Park is now being managed with a Day-Use Reservation system that aims to keep visitation to roughly 50% of normal in order to reduce crowding and the spread of COVID-19.
What does that mean for you if you reserve your online day-use pass and want to choose where to spend a day in Yosemite? Here are updates about two additional popular destinations – Mariposa Grove and Glacier Point.
MARIPOSA GROVE
If you love giant, old growth trees, ancient forest groves, and hiking to an iconic destination, the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias may never provide a more desirable summer setting than this year. Visitors to the grove must park two miles from the Grove at the Welcome Plaza near the Park’s South Entrance. The trail to the Grove heads off to the east, AND YOU ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO TAKE EXTRA DRINKING WATER WITH YOU BECAUSE NONE IS AVAILABLE AT THE GROVE.
Two miles out the forested trail past a forest dominated by scattered large pines, firs, and cedars, you’ll arrive at the Mariposa Grove. Unless you arrive in early afternoon (the busiest time), you will likely be surprised by how few people are there.
The main trail (see photo below) is a recently constructed attractive boardwalk that leads you up into the Grove. On a visit in late June, a total of 25 or 30 people was all that could be counted in the first half mile along the trail.
Even more amazing, at the truly awe-inspiring Grizzly Giant tree (below), there may be only a tiny percentage of the normal visitors because it is roughly a 5-mile round trip to and from the Welcome Plaza parking lot to get to the iconic tree. Look carefully at the photo below to see how tiny the woman is in the photo at the base of the gigantic tree. From every angle, the biggest giant sequoia in the Grove will take your breath away.
But there are many other impressive trees, groves, and wildlife sighting opportunities. When CSERC’s director visited the Grove recently with his wife, they saw only 5 other people in the entire upper half of the Grove over a two-hour period. This was on a summer day when in the past it often was so congested that it distracted from the experience. This summer at the upper portion of the Mariposa Grove -- nearly 4 miles from the parking area -- by walking the 8-mile round trip you can earn solitude and harmony with 1,000-year old trees surrounding you in true natural splendor and a cacophony of bird calls.
GLACIER POINT AND WASHBURN POINT
Last, but not least… Glacier Point and Washburn Point offer some of the most spectacular views of mountain landscapes that any person can imagine. Rather than wax eloquent, this article will let the photos tell the story. Early in the day results in fewer people, but afternoon or early evening can provide crisp sunlit views toward Half Dome and spectacular peaks, waterfalls, and forest vistas. Be safe, wear your mask, keep extra social distance, and enjoy these overlooks at far, far less crowding and traffic than you will normally see in summer.
And then, of course, there are the views of peaks and granite domes amidst the dark swirling clouds of late afternoon thunderstorms. Is this not worth a few minutes of awe?
