Grizzly Giant, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite

pathway through a giant tree trunk

The Grizzly Giant is a Giant Sequoia thought to be the oldest living tree in Yosemite National Park and one of the largest living trees in the world. The Grizzly Giant is located in the southernmost region of Yosemite Park in Mariposa Grove, the largest stand of Giant Sequoias in the park. It is estimated that the Grizzly Giant is between 1900-2400 years old and has been listed as the 25th largest tree in the world. The Yosemite Grizzly Giant has an estimated wood volume of 34,010 cubic feet.

The basal circumference, which is heavily buttressed due to fire damage and environmental stress, measures 92 feet or a diameter of 30 feet. The tree stands 210 feet high and it’s first branch growing off the trunk is 6 feet in diameter. The Grizzly Giant has been damaged by many lightening fires throughout it’s ancient existence and it’s trunk bears some of these scars. The top of the tree has also been burned away from fires and damaged by wind like many of the other Giant Sequoias that call Yosemite home.

Here are some interesting facts about the Grizzly Giant:

  • The Grizzly Giant is estimated to weigh over 1,800 tons, making it one of the heaviest living organisms on earth.
  • The tree’s trunk is over 30 feet in diameter, and it has a circumference of over 96 feet at its base.
  • The Grizzly Giant is named for the scars on its bark, which were caused by fires and bark beetles.
  • The tree has survived numerous fires and storms over the centuries, and its thick bark and massive size have helped it withstand these natural disasters.
  • The Grizzly Giant is one of several giant sequoias in the Mariposa Grove, which is home to over 500 of these amazing trees.
  • The Mariposa Grove was first protected by the state of California in 1864, making it one of the first protected natural areas in the world.
  • The Grizzly Giant has been a popular attraction in Yosemite for over a century, and it has been visited by countless people from around the world.
  • The tree has been the subject of numerous photographs, paintings, and other works of art, and it is considered a symbol of the beauty and majesty of nature.

Visiting the Grizzly Giant is a must-do activity for anyone visiting Yosemite National Park. Walking through the grove and standing next to these towering trees is a humbling experience that reminds us of the power and resilience of nature. So next time you’re in Yosemite, be sure to pay a visit to this incredible living monument and witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the Grizzly Giant for yourself.