Notes: Columbia, named to honor Columbia University, is the tallest tree in Yosemite National Park.

Drive: Columbia is 155 mi (249 km) east of San Francisco near the city of Oakhurst.

Northbound: From U.S. Interstate 5 North, transfer to California State Highway 41 North toward Kettleman City. Drive north 110 mi (161 km) on California State Highway 41 to Oakhurst.

Southbound: From U.S. Interstate 5 South in Sacramento, transfer to U.S. Highway 50 East toward South Lake Tahoe. Drive east 1.7 mi (2.7 km) on U.S. Highway 50 and transfer to California State Highway 99 South. Near Merced, transfer to California State Highway 140 East. Drive east 36 mi (58 km) on California State Highway 140 to Mariposa and transfer to California State Highway 49 East. Drive east 26 mi (42 km) on California State Highway 49 to Oakhurst and transfer to California State Highway 41 North.

From Oakhurst, drive north 17 mi (27 km) on California State Highway 41 to the southern entrance station of Yosemite National Park (entrance fee and occasional peak-hours reservation required). Turn right onto Mariposa Grove Road, drive east 275 ft (84 m), and turn right into the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza parking lot.

Ride a free shuttle bus or hike east 2 mi (3 km) on Washburn Trail from the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza to the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area. Buses depart from the Welcome Plaza every 15 minutes from 8 AM to 7 PM April 1 through September 2, from 8 AM to 5:30 PM September 3 through November 2, and from 8 AM to 3:30 PM from November 3 through November 30. No shuttle service is available from December 1 through March 30.

Road Warning: Mariposa Grove Road is closed (with a locked gate) during winter. Depending on weather conditions, Mariposa Grove Road usually remains open from April through November. However, during that time, the road is open only to shuttle buses, vehicles with disability placards, bicycles, and pedestrians. Accessible parking is available at the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area and at a smaller lot near Grizzly Giant.

Visit nps.gov/yose for updates and more information.

Hike: From the trailhead, hike northeast/uphill 0.15 mi (0.24 km) on Big Trees Loop Trail, past Fallen Monarch, to the junction with Grizzly Giant Loop Trail. Turn right at the trail junction and hike northeast/uphill 0.5 mi (0.8 km) on Grizzly Giant Loop Trail, past Bachelor and Three Graces and Grizzly Giant, to the junction with Mariposa Grove Trail. Veer right at the trail junction and hike north 2.1 mi (3.4 km) on Mariposa Grove Trail, past Faithful Couple, Clothespin, Mariposa, and American Legion to the junction with the Guardians Loop Trail. Turn right at the trail junction and hike south 0.2 mi (0.3 km) on Guardians Loop Trail, past Ohio and Haverford and Mariposa Grove Cabin, to Columbia which stands beside the trail on your right.

View Columbia Tree location in Google Maps

Photos: Pictures of Columbia Tree taken from different sides