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Trail connecting the Hodgdon Meadows area to the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias via the Old Big Oak Flat Road.


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Map Key

4.8

Miles

7.7

KM

89%

Runnable

5,723' 1,744 m

High

4,497' 1,371 m

Low

1,302' 397 m

Up

280' 85 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

22%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · River/Creek · Wildlife

The trail is open as long as Yosemite National Park is open. In the winter, check the park website regarding chain restrictions that might make accessing the park difficult.

Need to Know

The trail is not being actively maintained by the National Park Service. There are numerous downed trees that require scrambling over or under in order to get around. In some areas, very large trees have fallen on the road, crushing the road and when combined with water, started to wash the trail out.

There are several creek crossings in the spring where your feet will get wet. In the area between 2-3 miles, the Deer Brush grows in along the trail, causing you to have to push through/bushwhack through in order to stay on the trail/road.

This is not a popular run and due to its remoteness, make sure that you either run as a group or let people know where you are going in case something happens. Bear are in the area, so make sure to make noise so that you don't surprise the bear, especially since it can be difficult to see long distances due the Deer Brush.

Runner Notes

This trail is littered with downed trees, branches, and other trip hazards. Trail running on this trail is not recommended outside of the first mile or so.

Description

The trail from Hodgdon Meadow to the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias provides the opportunity to follow the Big Oak Flat Road and experience what it was like for people who used to enter the park before Hwy 120 was in place. You'll either need to run in from the Big Oak Flat Entrance Station, or find parking around the Hodgdon Meadow Campground.

The trail is well-marked on the road, and actually follows the road for the first half mile as it descends past employee housing. The trail passes Hodgdon Meadow on the right as the old road starts to climb up to a worksite where they prepare wood for bridges and other projects in the park. The trail breaks off to the left and wanders through pine and fir forests that are recovering from the Rim Fire.

Immediately, you'll notice that there are trees down on the trail, which will continue to be a challenge for the duration of the run. The trail crosses Hazel Creek, which in the spring requires walking through the creek as it passes over the road now. The trail is wide and paved as it follows the old road. The trail is flat or downhill at this point, which makes the running easier.

Next, you cross North Cane Creek, which you may have to walk through to get across as it crosses the road. These two crossings, as well as some of the downed trees, show how nature is reclaiming the land. Shortly after two miles, the trail begins to climb up the hillside toward Tuolumne Grove. Downed trees continue to be obstacles that have to be negotiated, and in certain areas, the Deer Brush grows across the trail, requiring a little bit of work to get through, but you never lose sight of the trail.

As you pass the 3.5 mile mark, the Deer Brush begins to thin out as you get closer to the grove. Fir, pine and cedar trees grow through the run, and they are massive. At around 4.5 miles, you begin to enter the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. While the first one you see is off the trail on the right, there is one that sits right beside the trail so you can appreciate how massive it is.

The trail continues to climb uphill until you arrive at the picnic area outside the Tuolumne Grove Loop Trail. Take time to explore the grove if you've never been, its amazing. At this point, you either have to retrace your steps back to Hodgdon Meadow, or if you have arranged a shuttle, run up to Tioga Road and then drive back down to Hodgdon Meadow.

Flora & Fauna

Deer and bears can be seen feeding along the trail. Bear are in the area, so make sure to make noise so that you don't surprise the bear, especially since it can be difficult to see long distances due the Deer Brush. Birds can be heard singing along the trail.

Due to the Rim Fire in 2013, the area is recovering from the fire, so there is a lot of new growth going on along the trail. You might see Alpine Lupines in the spring. Deer Brush is prevalent throughout the area and is starting to encroach on the trail in sections, making you have to bushwhack through some parts of the trail.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Yosemite

Shared By:

David Hitchcock

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#29785

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#3,274

in California

#29,785

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435 Since Jun 14, 2020
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Photos

You can see the Big Oak Flat Road as it wanders through the forest.  Imagine driving this road to get into Yosemite.
Jun 14, 2020 near Yosemit…, CA
One of the giant trees in the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias.
Mar 8, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
Deer Brush encroaches on the trail, so thick that in some places you have to push through it or bushwhack.  You can also see how there are downed trees and limbs, so watch where you step!
Jun 14, 2020 near Yosemit…, CA
The Old Big Oak Flat Road continues to Hodgdon Meadow as it passes through the Tuolumne Grove.
May 27, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
As you can see, large trees cover the trail and make a sort of obstacle course that you have to navigate on the hike.  You can also see how the road is starting to wear away due tress falling, melting snow, and other environmental factors.
Jun 14, 2020 near Yosemit…, CA
As you enter the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, you encounter one of these giants.  This nice thing about this area is most people don't venture down here, so you can enjoy your time without being crowded by other visitors.
Jun 14, 2020 near Yosemit…, CA

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