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After a fun-filled weekend in Las Vegas to meet up with other racers from the online Western States Racing League (see the photo album), Bob and I drove north, then east, to spend a few days in the Yosemite Valley in the Yosemite National Park.
A hike through the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Our first morning, we woke early and were hiking in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias by seven o'clock. In doing so, we seemingly had the trails to ourselves. Now, we live among the giant redwoods and so if was interesting to compare the giant sequoias to the trees in our region. One difference is that redwoods tend to be more densely populated than the sequoias. The hiking trails are marked with specific sequoias, such as the one called the Grizzly Giant, in front of which Bob is posing. Seeing how small he is in the photograph helps gives perspective as to the enormity of the tree.
The bases of the Bachelor and Three Graces were one of the few stands of sequoias we saw. In redwood country, you're completely surrounded by redwoods, stretching high into the sky. The sequoias were impressive, but I'm obviously biased towards redwoods.
Being in the park so early, we were able to see woodpeckers, deer and chipmunks in their usual routines before the crowds scared them into hiding.
Just a few shots of the typical landscape seen in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. The most prevalant trees are pine, not sequoias. According to literature, the giant sequoias require three things to germinate - direct sunlight, adequate moisture and bare mineral soil. Wildfires aid in this by reducing the forest decay debris and competing trees. The nutrient-rich ash acts as a mulch for the seeds that explode from the sequoia cones in the intense heat.
The grove is also home to various flora and fauna. The color of the wild iris and this interesting fungi added bright spots along the trails.
