YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) – Yosemite National Park says the largest sequoia grove is ready to open to the public after crews completed a restoration project to protect the nearly 500 ancient trees.
Park officials say Mariposa Grove, a 4-acre habitat of the towering reddish-brown trees, will open Friday after being closed for three years.
Crews removed asphalt to protect roots and help water better flow to ancient sequoias, built 4 miles of trails, and added bridges and boardwalks over sensitive areas. Officials say one of the goals of the $40 million restoration project is to help the old trees thrive for future generations.
The Mariposa Grove is one of the world’s 65 remaining natural sequoia groves with some trees reaching up to 285 feet tall and dating back 2,000 years.
(Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
