If there is only one magic place or travel destination in the United States I had to choose, it would be the Redwood National and State Parks. Majestic trees, no not trees, but century-old giants, growing right and left of US Hwy 101, just South of Eureka, from Southern Oregon into Northern California. Their enormous stems rise like gothic columns almost 300 feet into the sky.
Once you get off the roads, its almost eerily quiet - and much darker than in other forests, as the crowns of these giants are blocking sunlight and sky views. These are the last remaining old-growth redwood groves in North America, if not the world. Even if you are not a tree-hugger you are stunned, maybe even you tear up when wandering through these “tree cathedrals”.
I Didn’t Do It!
While cutting a car-size hole through ancient redwoods is thankfully no longer permitted, but you can still drive through the Chandelier Tree at Leggett, California, south of the intersection of Highway 101 and Coastal Highway 1, where this enormous redwood continues to stand and grow in spite of its drive-thru traffic. For me it’s a sacrilege - these trees are holy! … and I never would drive through.
Take at least several days to indulge in nature’s wonders and beauty.
Inhale the pristine air of the forests, which is neighboured by the Pacific
Ocean - a terrific mixture!
Oregon Redwoods Trail
The best hike starts at Loeb State Park and follows the Chetco River for 0.7 miles before crossing the road and beginning the Redwood Nature Loop. Loeb State Park is a highlight in itself and features rental cabins, campsites and fishing opportunities. It makes a good place to stay overnight when visiting the Oregon redwoods.
Directions: From the bridge across the Chetco River in Brookings, turn onto North Bank Chetco River Road (following signs for Loeb State Park) for seven miles to a large sign and parking area on the right. Trailhead GPS coordinates: N42 06.766 W124 11.225
Giant (or coastal) redwoods thrive in the moist, humid climate of the Northern California coast, where marine fog delivers precise conditions necessary for its growth. The fog adds moisture to the soil and helps trap it thereby lowering the rate of evaporation. Redwoods, particularly coast redwoods, or Sequoia sempervirens are the tallest trees on the planet.
The tallest trees in the world have been given names—because such enormous trees deserve equally grandiose names—and are, in order: Hyperion (~398 feet tall), Helios (~374 feet tall), Icarus (~371 feet tall), and Daedalus (~363 feet tall). Their thick bark resists fires, insects, and fungi, while their shallow roots absorb dew drops that drip from their needles.
Giant Sequoias of Northern California
Giant sequoias thrive in higher elevation habitats than those giant redwoods and grow naturally only along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, primarily between 5,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation. Giant sequoias require the periodic dry heat of the mountains in order for their cones to open and release seeds.
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More About Redwoods and Sequoias
Giant Redwoods
- Live up to 2,000 years
- Have branches up to 5 feet in diameter
- Bark grows up to 12 inches thick
- Can reproduce either by seed or by sprout
Giant Sequoias
- Live up to 3,000 years
- Have branches up to 8 feet in diameter
- Bark grows up to 3 feet thick
- Reproduce by seed only
See a Zoomable Map
http://avenueofthegiants.net/Zoom/map.htm
Culture Not Far From Nature
http://a-happy-traveler.blogspot.com/2015/03/bookstores-in-oregon-and-northern.html
Tallest Trees in the World
http://crosstalk.cell.com/blog/why-redwoods-are-one-of-the-great-wonders-of-the-world
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