We all know the identity of the biggest couple of trees in the outstanding Mariposa Grove, but how about the rest of the impressive ones in there? Inquiring minds wanted to know how large some of our other favorite trees in the area really are. Here's how the numbers crunched out on most of the biggest grove inhabitants:
Tree NameHeightGroundDBHTrunk Vol. (ft)* Perim.(ft) (ft) (cu.ft.) Washington 236.0 96.0 24.1 35,901 Grizzly Giant 209.0 92.5 25.4 34,005 Upper Grove Giant 267.5 86.3 21.8 32,249 American Legion 246.0 87.1 21.5 28,421 Lafayette 249.5 85.5 22.3 27,903 Columbia 280.5 91.3 21.5 26,238 Mariposa 248.5 99.1 20.5 26,170 Lincoln 261.6 77.8 20.3 25,184 Havorford 270.0 101.0 23.0 22,647 Galen Clark 239.0 68.6 16.4 21,764 Large above Faithful Cpl. 233.6 70.1 18.7 21,694 Sunset 213.5 72.6 21.9 20,790 General Sheridan 254.5 81.0 19.3 20,228
There were a couple more trees that I also measured at under 20K:
TreeNameHeightGroundPerim.DBHTrunk Vol. General Sherman 281.0 ft 66.7 ft 15.8 ft 15,609 cu.ft. General Grant 272.0 ft 69.8 ft 16.6 ft 15,019 cu.ft.
* All of my height measurements are made from high ground to top of highest point on tree.
There is obviously plenty of justification for the outstanding moniker that Flint applied to the grove with the many great trees there.
On the other hand, it was sad to see the damage from the 100mph winds that knocked down 15 giant sequoias in last January's windstorm. The fallen ones were mostly in one small area of the lower grove near the Fallen Monarch. They remain lying there, causing closure of the trails in that section. There hasn't been time to clear up the lower grove hiking areas and rebuild the walkways. At present you have to travel up the road all the way up to the Bachelor and Three Graces instead of hiking the trails. Once past that point. the visible damage is less and most of the upper grove is still in good condition.
There is one fallen giant in the upper grove that fell recently. I wish I could have measured it prior to its collapse. It's right above the Telescope Tree on the trail. Telescope, I noticed. is a bit shorter than it was; it now tops out at 185 feet high. It has lost the whole eastern side of its upper half. Telescope is still appropriate for its name, however; just slightly shorter now than it used to be.
Large Sequoia Trees below are the Upper Grove Giant, American Legion, Lafayette, Columbia, Mariposa, and Lincoln trees.
Honorable Mention trees below are the Havorford, Galen Clark, Large one above Faithful Couple, Sunset, and General Sheridan trees.