Merced Grove Trail

Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip

Elevation gain: 520 ft (158 m)

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: 1-3 hours

Begin at: The Merced Grove trailhead is off highway 120 north of Yosemite Valley

This trail follows an old road that curves down into the Merced Grove, the smallest and most secluded of Yosemite’s three sequoia groves. Follow the trail for 0.6 miles (1 km), then bear left at the junction. An old cabin, the former summer retreat of park superintendents, is part of the grove’s history. Look for dogwoods blooming here in the spring.