Starting September 2nd, NPS trail crews will begin to upgrade the trail in the vicinity of the Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel trees so that the trail meets accessibility standards. This project is part of the Yosemite Conservancy Capital Campaign for the Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Work will take place in three phases. Phase 1 will not affect current visitor use with one exception – on September 15 there will be a permanent closure of the “Step Trail” that connects the tram boarding area with the California Tunnel Tree. Tram users will continue to have trail access to the California Tunnel Tree using the trail leading from the tram area to the Grizzly Giant Tree. Equipment storage will occur on the access road to the National Forest. Phase 2 will occur later this fall when visitor numbers decrease. At that time, trail crews will upgrade the existing trail system in the vicinity of the two trees and restore portions of the existing trail system that did not meet accessible trail standards to natural conditions. Work will include installation of new split rail fencing along heavily traveled portions of the trail. Access to the Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree will continue while work progresses. The first two phases should be completed by end of the calendar year, weather permitting. The third and final phase of the project will include installation of new benches and interpretive signs at the end of the Grove restoration project in late 2016.
