The Grizzly Giant tree, a monumental living organism, continues to stand today. This ancient giant sequoia remains a prominent feature in its natural habitat, representing one of the planet’s largest and oldest living entities.
The Grizzly Giant’s Continued Existence
The Grizzly Giant is a Giant Sequoia, scientifically known as Sequoiadendron giganteum, located within Yosemite National Park. This tree reaches a height of 209 to 210 feet (63.7 meters). Its base circumference measures 92 to 96.5 feet (28 to 29.5 meters), with a diameter of 29 to 30 feet (9 meters).
The tree’s immense size includes an estimated volume of 34,005 to 34,010 cubic feet (962.9 cubic meters), ranking it as the 25th or 26th largest living giant sequoia by volume. Its weight is estimated to be over 1,800 tons (907 metric tons). Recent scientific dating in 2019 placed its age at around 2,995 years, with a margin of error of plus or minus 250 years.
Despite its advanced age, the Grizzly Giant exhibits a pronounced lean, tilting almost 5 degrees to the south and 1.5 degrees to the west. Its bark is thick, measuring about 2 feet (0.6 meters) in places, contributing to its resilience. One of its lower branches alone is over 6 feet (2 meters) in diameter and extends about 95 feet above the ground.
A Testament to Survival
The Grizzly Giant’s longevity is a result of its ability to withstand numerous natural challenges over millennia. It has endured countless wildfires, prolonged droughts, and severe weather events, including being struck by lightning six times in 1942. Giant Sequoias possess unique adaptations that enable them to persist through such conditions.
Their thick, fibrous bark, which can be up to 2 feet (0.6 meters) deep, acts as an insulator, protecting the tree’s living tissues from the heat of fires. This bark also contains tannic acid, providing natural resistance to fire, insects, and disease. The cones of giant sequoias are serotinous, meaning fire helps them open and release seeds onto a nutrient-rich, post-fire soil bed, fostering regeneration.
Mature giant sequoias are resistant to fire damage, with their elevated canopies and self-pruning lower branches reducing the risk of crown fires. The Grizzly Giant faced a threat from the Washburn Fire in 2022, but protective sprinkler systems were deployed to safeguard it. This tree stands as a living record of centuries of environmental shifts and natural history.
Experiencing the Grizzly Giant
The Grizzly Giant is situated in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, located in the southern portion of Yosemite National Park. Visitors can access this iconic tree via designated trails within the grove. The Grizzly Giant Loop Trail, a 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) path, takes 1.5 to 2 hours to complete and leads directly to the tree.
To reach the grove, most visitors park at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza, where a shuttle service transports them to the grove’s arrival area from spring through fall. During periods when the shuttle is not operational, visitors can hike the 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) Washburn Trail to reach the grove. For individuals with valid disabled placards, there is an option to drive closer to an accessible parking area near the Grizzly Giant, which includes a wheelchair-friendly section of the trail.