Many visitors (and residents) to our area may be unaware that there is a small jewel of a Giant Sequoia Grove just a few miles from Oakhurst.  This grove is not in Yosemite National Park but rather is just north of Oakhurst.  If you arrive in Oakhurst in the late afternoon or want a short morning exploration, this may be just what you are looking for!

Human occupation of the Nelder Grove began with the Southern Miwoks.  They had been camping in the area and harvesting acorns for several thousand years.  The first evidence of Europeans visiting the Grove came in the form of the diary notation of a Mariposa Battalion soldier in 1851. Galen Clark visited in 1858 and named it the Fresno Grove as it was part of Fresno County.  Subsequently the Grove was renamed for John Nelder, a retired miner who came to California in 1849 from New Orleans looking for gold.  By 1875, he had grown tired of prospecting and homesteaded some land and  built his home in the Grove.  In 1875, John Muir spotted the Grove when he was hiking on Fresno Dome, hiked to the Grove and met Nelder who he described as "a fine, kind man".  Nelder lived in the Grove until his death in 1889 when he died in the fire that destroyed his cabin. 

Because of the demand for lumber following the California Gold Rush and California's growth, it wasn't long before lumbermen headed to the Grove.  The Madera Flume and Trading Company located its California Mill #4 in Nelder Grove in 1888 and logged the area until 1892.  Visitors will be stunned by the dozens of stumps left by the logging operations.  Yet, keep in mind with the tools of the day, it was quite a feat to down one of these trees.  With a bed of branches to soften the fall of these brittle trees, it would take the loggers a week or so using a 25 foot saw to topple a 1000 year old sequoia.  Because of the brittleness of the wood, most of the lumber was used for posts, grape stakes and shakes! Operations were careless and wasteful but that does present today's traveler with the opportunity to view waste wood still as solid as the day it was cut over 100 years ago.   While the cutting of the sequoias certainly testified to the hardiness and resolve of these early loggers, the careful management of the U.S. Forest Service (since 1928) has given us what we enjoy today including a healthy number of young sequoias. 

While the road is not paved the entire way to the Grove, this should not stop summer visitors at all.  As a contrast to the summer crowds in the Mariposa Grove, the Nelder Grove offers a chance to enjoy these trees up close in a very natural setting.  There are approximately 101 trees not counting those logged as well as a very healthy crop of young sequoias situated on over 1500 acres.  The whisper of wind through the trees,  sounds of the birds and solitude rein here.  Several short walks (under a mile) meander through the area.  The Shadow of the Giants is a one mile self-interpretive walk along the banks of Nelder Creek offering flowering dogwood in the spring and fall colors of red and gold.   Early spring flowers include snow plants with later flowering plants of Lady Slipper Orchids and Western Azaleas.   Another trail for exploration  is the one mile loop to the Bull Buck Tree which is considered among the world's largest Giant Sequoias at a height of 246 feet and a ground level circumference of 99 feet!  A three mile hike will take you to the Graveyard of the Giants where you will see several fire-killed sequoias.

With an elevation of 5,500 feet, the Nelder Grove is perfect for those seeking relief from the heat of summer.  For those who can't resist the temptation to linger, there are seven campsites available on a first come first served basis with a 20 foot vehicle length limitation.  On your drive into the campground, be sure to visit the interpretive center.  There are two restored historical cabins with life-size replicas of chutes used to transport logs.  The chutes are found along the original beds used by loggers at the turn of the century.  There is also a display of 19^th  During the summer only, there is a 10 foot square 3-D model relief map of the Grove.

To begin your adventure from Oakhurst, take Highway 41 south.  In approximately four miles turn  right onto Road 632 (Sky Ranch Road).  Follow Road 632 for approximately seven miles.    Road 632 becomes NF-6S10 which you will follow to Nelder Grove.  Please be aware that the last portion of the road is not paved and not suggested for winter travel.  The estimated distance is  11.5 miles with an estimated travel time of 27 minutes.  What are you waiting for?  Join the travelers over the years who have enjoyed the "Grove Less Traveled."

Welcome to one of Oakhurst's very special Inns - the Best Western Yosemite Gateway Inn.  Even if you are able to get reservations in Yosemite, there are many reasons why you may choose to make this lovely Inn your home base.  Whether staying a night or for several days (much more time to explore Yosemite and the many surrounding attractions), you will be pleased with your choice.

First, Location.  We all know how important that is.  The YGI is located in the center of the friendly mountain town of Oakhurst.  You are surrounded with unique local shops, restaurants, museums and entertainment.  The Yosemite Gateway Restaurant is located right next door and is operated by Best Western, so you are assured of the same fine service and welcome you received when you checked into YGI.  It will be hard to decide whether the food or the views are the best feature of this restaurant! Just look for the Statue of Liberty!

The Southern entrance to Yosemite is just 15 miles away where you will find the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees and Wawona (including the Pioneer History Center, Wawona Visitor Center at Hill Studio) and Wawona golf course.   From there, you will travel to Yosemite Valley.  Don't forget to stop at Glacier Point along the way.  A bird's eye view of Yosemite Valley, Vernal and Nevada Falls as well as the High Sierra is not to be missed! Oh, and hiking!  Lots and lots of hiking.

Second, the Lobby.  Few hotels or motels boast the spectacular views afforded by the YGI lobby.  Towering trees and spectacular landscaping viewed through the floor to ceiling windows may have you thinking you have already been transported to Yosemite.  The fireplace and cozy lobby welcome visitors to relax, meet other travelers and share experiences.

 Third, the Room.  Again, the Yosemite theme and attention to detail makes sure you feel you have made an excellent choice.  The walls are decorated with scenes of Yosemite preparing you for the thrill of seeing this special park in person.  2 bedroom family rooms are available.  Individual rooms feature king or queen size beds. 

 Fourth, the Amenities.  Almost too numerous to list, YGI rooms come with premium TV with HBO, CNN and ESP, free high speed internet access  as well as in-room coffee and local calls.  For those who can't give up exercising even when relaxing, there is an outdoor pool and spa and an indoor pool with spa, sauna and waterfall.  Did we mention the exercise room also?  A conference room that may accommodate up to 100 is available as well.

Fifth, the Grounds.  There are 122 guest rooms available and they are set on lush, well tended grounds.  Flowers bloom almost year round.  A series of paths invites one to take a quiet stroll before starting the day or to wind down at day's end.  You will be tempted to enjoy coffee from your own private balcony as you begin your day or perhaps share quiet time with a glass of wine in the evening  to take your mind off those aching muscles from trying to see ALL of Yosemite in one day. 

Sixth, More Adventures.  Lucky enough to be spending a few days in the area?  Just up the road a few miles is Bass Lake, named by Sunset Magazine as one of the 10 best Western lakes for fishing, swimming, boating and hiking.  Horseback riding is available in Yosemite as well as in the area of Fish Camp. Unique local museums include Fresno Flats Historical Park, The King Vintage Museum, Sierra Mono Museum as well as Mariposa's California Mineral and Gem Museum and the Mariposa Museum and History Center (includes a mine shaft).  Or you may wish to try your hand at panning for gold in Ahwahnee.  Cheer the hero and hiss at the villian at the local melodrama at the Golden Chain Theater or see  first run movies at the Met Cinema.  The area also includes two excellent nearby golf courses.  Your hosts at the YGI will be happy to plan additional adventures for you.

The Yosemite Gateway Inn truly does have something for everyone.  Weary travelers, families and those looking for a romantic get-a-way will all be pleasantly (and comfortably) surprised when they choose to stay and enjoy this welcoming Inn.  Please visit the website for any additional information and/or reservations (www.yosemitegatewayinn.com) or call (559) 683-2378.