Gallery photos coming soon
Fallen Monarch
Mariposa Grove's first big tree: a fallen sequoia you can walk right up to.
About
The Fallen Monarch is the first giant sequoia most visitors meet at Mariposa Grove, and it's been on the ground for well over a century — already down and hollowed out by the time the first stagecoach tourists arrived in the 1890s. Instead of splintering, the trunk toppled with its root system intact, leaving behind a wall of exposed roots taller than a person that still holds its shape today.
The Big Trees Loop
The tree sits right along the Big Trees Loop, an easy 0.3-mile paved and boardwalk loop from the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area, doable in about 30 to 45 minutes in regular shoes. It's flat and wheelchair- and stroller-friendly, which makes it the natural first stop before the boardwalk gives way to steeper, unpaved trail toward the Grizzly Giant and the rest of the grove.
Why it's famous
An 1899 photograph of U.S. Cavalry officers riding their horses up onto the trunk made this specific sequoia one of the most recognized trees in Yosemite's early history, and standing next to (not on) the exposed root wall for a photo has been a ritual for visitors ever since. Today a boardwalk keeps foot traffic off the bark and root system to protect the tree, so you get the same view the cavalry did without adding to the wear.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to the Fallen Monarch?
Start from the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area near Wawona and walk in — the Fallen Monarch is just a couple minutes up the boardwalk, the first major sight on the Big Trees Loop.
Is the Fallen Monarch hike hard?
No. It's a flat, 0.3-mile paved and boardwalk loop, easy enough for young kids, strollers, and wheelchairs, and takes about 30 to 45 minutes round trip.
Can you climb on the Fallen Monarch?
You can get close on the boardwalk, but climbing on the trunk isn't part of the maintained route today — the old photos of cavalry riding horses up onto it are from 1899, long before the current trail was built to protect the roots.
How old is the Fallen Monarch?
It's hard to say exactly, but the tree was already down, weathered, and famous in photographs by the 1890s, meaning it fell well over a century ago.
Reviews
See all on GoogleNo reviews yet for this listing.