Tuolumne Grove

Not the biggest, most accessible, or most dramatic redwood grove in Yosemite (that honor goes to Mariposa Grove near Wawona), Tuolumne Grove gets my vote its peaceful ambiance, and for the abundant dogwood that decorate the forest with white blossoms in spring, and red leaves in autumn.

Like any forest scene, a redwood grove is best photographed in overcast that moderates the shadows into a range the camera can handle. As far as I'm concerned, few scenes are nicer to photograph than a redwood grove in dense fog or light rain.

Redwoods are difficult subjects to photograph. You can try extreme, distorted wide frames to capture the giant trees from top to bottom, or tighter telephoto frames that isolate the massive trunks. When the dogwood are blooming or wearing their color, creative dogwood/redwood juxtapositions will keep me occupied for hours.

How to get there

Tuolumne Grove is on Highway 120, roughly halfway between the Big Oak Flat entrance station and the valley floor and just east of Crane Flat. Entering the park, take the left turn and drive about a mile toward Tuolumne Meadows and Tiogo Pass at Crane Flat--in winter Highway 120 is closed beyond Tuolumne Grove. Getting to the grove requires a one mile steep downhill hike on a broad paved trail (an “official use only” road) that is actually the original Big Oak Flat Road. The walk isn't treacherous, but if the redwood and dogwood haven't done it already, the return trip will rob the breath of anyone who's not in decent shape.