Guardians Loop Trail

The Guardians Loop is the longest and most demanding of the three maintained routes through Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite's largest sequoia grove. At 6.5 miles round trip with roughly 1,200 feet of elevation gain, it climbs from the lower grove up into the quieter upper grove, typically taking 4 to 6 hours. It's rated strenuous, and it rewards hikers willing to earn the view with sequoias that have been standing for close to two thousand years.

What You'll Pass

The route folds in the grove's best-known trees. Near the start you'll walk beneath the Grizzly Giant — among the oldest sequoias in the grove — and the Bachelor and Three Graces, a tight cluster of four mature trees. Continuing on, the loop passes the California Tunnel Tree before climbing into the upper grove, where far fewer visitors go, to see the fallen Wawona Tunnel Tree, the Telescope Tree, and the historic Mariposa Grove Museum (formerly the Mariposa Grove Cabin).

Getting There

Mariposa Grove sits just inside Yosemite's South Entrance, a short drive north of Fish Camp on Highway 41. Since a 2018 restoration project removed the old tram, access is on foot or by free shuttle from the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza parking area; the shuttle runs seasonally, so check the current Yosemite National Park website for hours and any parking guidance before you go.

Before You Go

• This is a genuine mountain hike, not a stroll — steady climbing, uneven trail surfaces, and real elevation gain over the full 6.5 miles.
• Carry water and layers; the upper grove sits noticeably higher and cooler than the parking area.
• Want an easier introduction to the same sequoias? The shorter Big Trees Loop and Grizzly Giant Loop trails start from the same trailhead.