Centuries-old, this sugar pine reigns as one of the forest's giants. Nestled in serenity, it has a meadow vista and easy access to the welcome center. The shady space provides a great space to gather.
Their pinecones can be 14 inches long!
Some prefer sugar pine syrup to maple syrup
Nicknames include “King of the Pines” and “Queen of the Sierra”
Sugar pines can live over 500 years
Spectacular in spring when the wildflowers are blooming, this section offers the best views of Orchard Meadow along with some of the largest, most mature trees in the forest.
Orchard Meadowview is conveniently located and visible from the Welcome Area.
A small seasonal creek winds along the northern edge of this section. When the Sierra snowpack melts, you can hear the gentle soundtrack of the water trickling down the rocks.
Bountiful sunshine and a mix of rolling hills with lush grass make this a favorite spot for local wildlife. Butterflies, mule deer, and jackrabbits all call this mountain meadow home.
We look forward to welcoming you to the forest!
If this is your first visit to the Yosemite Gateway Forest, we invite you to enjoy a personalized forest tour hosted by our Forest Guides. Bring your friends & family, meet your tree and our team, and experience the beauty of the forest you are helping to protect. These 1 on 1 forest visits are available by appointment only Friday through Monday and can be booked online at https://betterplaceforests.as.me/yosemitegateway. If you don't see a time or date that you prefer please reach out to us at Yosemite.gateway@betterplaceforests.com or by calling or texting 1 (415) 300-2575 with the time and date you wish to visit and we will confirm our availability. Please note that during the Winter season all visits must be booked by phone or email.
If you have already visited the forest and would like to revisit and don't need any assistance in getting around the forest and locating your tree please reach out to us at Yosemite.gateway@betterplaceforest.com or by calling or texting 1 (415) 300-2575 with the time, date and tree you wish to visit and we will confirm our availability.