Wawona Meadow (W11)

A lovely spot, especially in early summer, when wildflowers such as lupine and clarkia are in full bloom.

Plan Around Wawona Meadow (W11)

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Wawona Meadow (W11) Details

This meadow was one of the first areas explored by Euro-Americans and was used for many purposes over the centuries. Early settlers used it for cattle and horse grazing An airstrip once occupied the southern portion, and in 1918, the lower third of the meadow was developed into a golf course. The airstrip was decommissioned in the late 1930s; grazing ceased in 1970; and although the golf course is still there, the upper 165 acres of the meadow provides valuable lower montane meadow habitat. In 2010, the Wawona Meadow Ecological Restoration Project began with the goal of improving meadow hydrology and restoring native plant communities and wildlife habitat. Wawona Meadow provides wetland, riparian, and upland habitat for a variety of rare and sensitive plant species and wildlife, including two state endangered birds -- the willow flycatcher and great gray owl. There is an easy, 5-mile loop trail which explores the meadow (and the golf course). Even on crowded summer days, you'll find few people on this trail. Roadside marker: W11

Difficulty

Low

Distance

N/A

Estimated time

Region

Wawona Road (Rt 41)