Mariposa Grove

We called in here as the last part of the Yosemite tour just outside the main park. More sequoia, the mountain giant redwoods. This massive tree, with me skulking alongside it, is about 1,000 years old.

An even more remarkable photo is that of a tree that toppled over about 300 years ago. Because of the tannic acid in the bark, redwoods are almost indestructible alive or dead. I must start sprinkling redwood bark dust on my breakfast cereal. Jane, standing by the roots, gives an idea of the size.

You would walk straight past these two green saplings. They’re about a foot tall, and the significance is that the one on the right, a pine tree, is two years old, whilst the left hand one is a sequoia and is fourteen years old. That’s how slowly they grow.

Next our guide points out a patch of snapgrass that the Native Americans used for cleaning and scouring. It’s about three feet high and snaps off easily at the joints on each blade, hence the name. It is also rough enough to use as sandpaper. 

Many strange plants inhabit the forest, like this one, a snow flower. 

We learned so much about the forest and Yosemite in general from Saul, our knowledgeable guide. Another remarkable experience.