How to get to Mariposa Grove

The Mariposa Grove is currently still closed. It probably won't re-open until the southern entrance at Wawona is re-opened. It is the smaller Merced Grove that re-opened.

However, whether or not the Mariposa Grove is re-opened may be moot for you, as it's not easy to get to without your own car. AMTRAK or Greyhound to Merced, plus the YARTS bus will get you to Yosemite Valley. From Yosemite Valley, you ca catch a YARTS bus to the Mariposa Grove, however, it only operates from mid-May to mid-September. This replaces a shuttle that the Park used to run. (I get the impression your trip may be after Sept. 14, the last day this year.) Based on the bus schedule, you would need to plan most of a day for the Grove.

Given your plans, book yourself lodging in Yosemite Valley and resign yourself to missing the Grove.

If you have to choose a walk under serious trees, Mariposa Groove or Redwoods ?

Either will do, they're quite similar from ground level. Redwoods are a bit taller and more graceful, sequoias more massive. They are both very impressive trees. The key thing is that you'll be in the vicinity of the sequoias, while redwoods will be hours away. If it doesn't work out to see a grove in Yosemite while you have your rental car, Calaveras Big Trees state park is nearby, and excellent.

Yosemite Valley & Mariposa Grove open Tuesday No access to theGrove directly from the Valley fora while.

after the Trail, I'll rent a car. If you have to choose a walk under serious trees, Mariposa Groove or Redwoods ?

Where will you pick up this car, and how far do you intend to drive it?

Mariposa Grove was impressive (although prior to the restoration I was pretty horrified that people could just trample anywhere they wanted), but for sheer mystical experience, I much prefer to walk through coastal redwood groves.

You can visit them at Muir Wood north of San Francisco, or at several state parks on the way to Santa Cruz, south of San Francisco. Very good.

Thanks,

I'll start to walk in five weeks. I've changed in my program Alcatraz an extra day in Yosemite, before the trail. So, I'll start to walk, 48 hours after leaving San Francisco. I'll try to solve the question of accommodation and public transport to Mariposa, and then to Yosemite Village. Really, only little problems, although I'd prefer that the YART service would finish some days later.
After the trail, my idea is to rent a car in La Vegas, going to The Grand Canyon and spend my last days driving back to San Francisco. I'm flexible about this last part, there isn't lack of places to visit. . The distances are huge, so, depending of my mood perhaps I prefer to take a flight Las Vegas-Sacramento and rent another car there.

How are you getting to Las Vegas?

The trail finish to the East of the Sierra, in theory in Mt Whitney, and practically in Lone Pine. From here, and with a little help of a pair of buses, you can arrive in Las Vegas.
Before the trail, I'll spend one extra day in Yosemite Village, Capitan, Waterfalls and so. Mariposa Grove looks so far away...

Just so you don't get caught by a rumor. Part of the John Muir Trail north of Yosemite is closed due to a wildfire. Won't affect you.

Map of the Yosemite Valley shuttle system Operates 7 AM-10 PM. The El Capitan shuttle stops at El Capitan, Four Mile trailhead, and the Valley Visitor Center. This shuttle operates from mid-June through early October from 9 am to 5 pm.

Part of the John Muir Trail north of Yosemite is closed due to a wildfire.

The John Muir Trail goes from Yosemite Valley south to Mount Whitney in Sequoia NP, and never goes north of Yosemite NP, the farthest north it goes is Tualumne Meadows. You're probably thinking of the Pacific Crest Trail, which does overlap with the JMT.