While most visitors flock to Yosemite in the summer and early autumn, wintertime beckons with its own incomparable virtues. For those stimulated by the crisp air, the snowbound vistas, the lesser crowds, and all the other special qualities of the Sierra Nevada winter, the park is a wonderland. Among the very best spots in Yosemite for cross-country skiers and snowshoers—those who like to really get out amid the drifts and work up a sweat in the quiet of the woods—is the famous Mariposa Grove in the south.

The Mariposa Grove

The Mariposa Grove is a magnificent stand of giant sequoia, the world’s most massive single living organism and one found only in the Sierra Nevada. This long-lived conifer—veteran specimens may be 3,000 years old or more—is a true titan: The largest may be over 300 feet tall and 40 feet across in basal diameter, and account for 52,000 cubic feet of volume. (Despite their impressive height, they aren’t the world’s tallest trees—a distinction given to the sequoia’s relative, the coast redwood, found in the fog belt of northwestern California and southwestern Oregon.) While the Mariposa Grove doesn’t include the very biggest known sequoias, many of its trees are nonetheless very respectable goliaths. Among the heftiest is the Grizzly Giant in the Lower Grove, boasting a volume of more than 34,000 cubic feet and a basal diameter of nearly 28 feet. As the Park Service notes, one of its muscular branches—easily visible from the tree’s base—is thicker than any non-sequoia tree in the grove. (Source: The Gymnosperm Database) Skiing and Snowshoeing When snow muffles the Mariposa Grove, strap on cross-country skis or snowshoes and head out there! The access road is often snowed in during the winter season, offering a beautiful and convenient two-mile skiing route in from the South Entrance of the park. Once in the grove, you can either ski or snowshoe the length of the main road, or take several well-marked trails off it. The Lower Grove includes the Grizzly Giant as well as the Fallen Monarch—a long-toppled sequoia—and the California Tunnel Tree, which has a passageway through it big enough to accommodate stagecoaches. From the Grizzly Giant, you can most easily access the Upper Grove by the road; those looking for more challenge can tackle the MG-4 and MG-2 trails up to it. The MG-3 Trail departs the road in the Upper Grove, which includes such notable sequoia as the Fallen Wawona Tunnel Tree and the Columbia Tree, and ascends to 6,810-foot Wawona Point for a spectacular view—well worth the trek! Tips and Considerations Take some time while scooting over the snowdrifts to appreciate the giant sequoia from all angles, up close and from a distance: These are magnificent trees, and the Sierra Nevada are lucky to be their only home in the wild. Look for the little roundish cones—remarkably small for such a huge plant—and the distinctive scaled needles. Keep an eye out for wildlife while skiing and snowshoeing the roads and trails of the Mariposa Grove: You might spot a black-tailed deer, a common raven, even a bobcat! You’re likely to see plenty of animal tracks in the snow; a good field guide can help you try to identify them. Remember to pick up a trail map and pack the usual winter-recreation provisions. And have a blast! Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today If you’re planning to go skiing or snowshoeing in Yosemite this year, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities. Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today. Yosemite National Park Blog Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.