Yosemite/Mariposa Grove advice needed

[danacath]

DH and I are taking a group of 44 youth/adults into Yosemite for 4-5 hours next week. We already have reservations for the 11 AM Valley Floor tour, and are trying to figure out if we can squeeze in a short hike to Yosemite Falls and still have time for a photo stop at Mariposa Grove when we are leaving the park. (DH thought he read somewhere that you need to allow at least an hour at Mariposa Grove. Does that sound accurate?)

Wish our schedule wasn't so tight, but we're just trying to make the most of it by letting the group see as much as possible in the time that we do have.

TIA

[disneyfaninaz]

It really depends on what you want to accomplish at Mariposa Grove. If you just want to see these huge trees, you certainly don't have to go far into the grove. If you want to see the more popular trees you would need to take the tour or hike a bit into the grove.

[danacath]

I think the goal is to just let the kids see some giant sequoias, since many of them have never seen one. If we did end up having time, what would be the closest "famous" one to the parking lot? If it wasn't TOO far, it would be fun to get a group photo by one. I guess my "bottom line" is: What's the least amount of time we can get away with for this stop and still have the stop be worthwhile?

Also, we'll be on a charter bus. Is it true that a charter bus can only enter the Mariposa Grove area during certain hours?

Thanks a bunch!

[hsmamato2]

I know this sounds dumb but are the trees in Mariposa grove the same type of tree in Sequoia natl park? or are they 2 diff. types of big tree? would they mimic each experience,doing both?

[AndyR]

It all depends on when your 4-5hrs starts.

The Valley Floor tour is 2hrs long it should cover all the highlights.

The good Falls viewing areas are under 2miles from the Village - but parking will be the issue unless you walk the whole way. This could eat 2+ hrs.

Add in some time for refreshments/potty breaks.

It's then a 1+ Hr drive from Yosemite Village to the Mariposa Grove (assuming the parking lot is available). If the parking lot is full and the road closed, you'll need to take the Wawona-Mariposa shuttle.

I'm assuming the valley will be very busy next week and driving times will be longer.

[woody73]

Originally Posted by AndyR

. . . I'm assuming the valley will be very busy next week and driving times will be longer.

We were at Yosemite last week. By 11:00, the one-way road into the Yosemite Valley was very congested and took much longer than normal.

YMMV

Woody

[disneyfaninaz]

Originally Posted by danacath

I think the goal is to just let the kids see some giant sequoias, since many of them have never seen one. If we did end up having time, what would be the closest "famous" one to the parking lot? If it wasn't TOO far, it would be fun to get a group photo by one. I guess my "bottom line" is: What's the least amount of time we can get away with for this stop and still have the stop be worthwhile?

Also, we'll be on a charter bus. Is it true that a charter bus can only enter the Mariposa Grove area during certain hours?

Thanks a bunch!

If you're goal is to see a Sequoia, you will be fine near the parking lot.

Originally Posted by hsmamato2

I know this sounds dumb but are the trees in Mariposa grove the same type of tree in Sequoia natl park? or are they 2 diff. types of big tree? would they mimic each experience,doing both?

Yes, they are the same trees at Sequoia National Park.

[danacath]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

AndyR, our 4-5 hours will start around 10:30 when we check in for the Valley Floor tour. Our group will check out of a Fresno hotel at 7:30 AM, so hopefully 3 hours by charter bus is ample travel time to the Valley (?) We're trying to save time by having the kids bring a sack lunch to eat whenever they have a chance. (Not sure if they allow food on the Floor tour, though.) DH and I have done the Floor tour before and loved it, but we didn't recall seeing any Sequoias on it. (That's why we'd like to fit in a stop at Mariposa Grove if we can.) Since we'll have a charter bus at our disposal, I'm hoping the driver can drop us off wherever we need to be and then go find parking elsewhere. Or will they not let the bus through to unload us if the lot is full, even if he doesn't intend to park there?

I guess we'll just have to wait and see how things play out when we're there, and then be prepared to be flexible. Since the Falls are spectacular this year and we'll be there on a Sunday, I'm sure it's bound to be crazy crowded!

disneyfaninaz, thanks for telling me that we can see Sequoias near the parking lot.

Still have questions about the hours that a charter bus can go in Mariposa Grove, the closest famous tree to the parking lot and how long of a hike it would be to get to it. Also, how long the Yosemite Falls hike takes. Anyone know the answers?

Thanks everyone!