Viewpoint for Giant Sequoias

This overlook sits along the Tuolumne Grove Trail, giving you your first look down into a stand of giant sequoias before the path drops into the grove itself. The trail follows the route of the old Big Oak Flat Road — one of the first wagon roads built into Yosemite — and this spot works well as a breather, either heading down or climbing back out.

The Trail

The round trip from the trailhead near Crane Flat, off Tioga Road, covers 2.5 miles with about 500 feet of elevation change. The grove sits below the trailhead, so you'll walk downhill on the way in and climb back out on the way home — figure 1 to 2 hours at a relaxed pace. Much of the path is paved near the top, turning to dirt and gravel as it descends.

What's in the Grove

Tuolumne Grove holds about two dozen mature giant sequoias — smaller and quieter than Mariposa Grove, and one of Yosemite's three sequoia groves along with Mariposa and Merced. The main stop at trail's end is the Dead Giant Tunnel Tree, a sequoia hollowed out in 1878 so wagons, and later cars, could drive straight through the trunk.

• Trailhead sits at about 6,200 feet, so it stays cool even in midsummer
• Reached via Tioga Road (Highway 120) near Crane Flat, which closes with the first heavy winter snow
• The return climb is the harder half of the hike — pace yourself accordingly