2 min
Overview
This moderate looping hike features the world’s tallest pine, the sugar pine. As the trail follows the southern rim of the Giant Forest Plateau between Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow, you’ll see numerous examples of this graceful tree. You’ll also enjoy sweeping views from Bobcat Point, a stop at Crescent Meadow, and a beautiful pond along Crescent Creek. Giant Forest is justly famous for having the largest specimens of the largest tree on the planet. These trees are so preposterously large, that anything set next to it seems minuscule in comparison. This optical illusions often prevents folks from realizing that, in addition to the sequoias, Giant Forest also plays host to the world’s largest species of pine, the sugar pine. A mature sugar pine This graceful pine tree received its name due to the sweet flavor of its sap, which John Muir was reported to prefer to maple syrup. The sugar pine can reach up to 269′, which makes it a near equal to the sequoia, at least in terms of height. In addition to being the tallest of all pines, the sugar pine also has the largest pine cone of any conifer. These beautiful cones can grow up to two feet in length and are often found littering the forest floor beneath larger trees. Unfortunately, the sugar pine, unlike it’s more drought tolerant cousins in the yellow pine family (Jeffrey, ponderosa, and lodgepole), is frequently vulnerable to bark beetle attacks. Bark beetles attacks tend to intensify during periods of drought, during which times trees are less able to produce the sap that wards the beetles off. During the drought periods of the early 2000’s and 2010’s, many sugar pines, including the world’s largest in Yosemite, fell victim to bark beetle attacks. Hikers on Moro Rock While there are many dead and dying sugar pines along this path thanks to four of the worst drought years ever recording, there are still abundant examples of this beautiful pine interspersed along this moderate, lollipop-loop route. You’ll also catch some great views over Kaweah Canyon with optional
Trail Stats
5.2 km
137 m
2102 m
1929 m
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Photos
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