Avenue of the Giants
While there are any number of iconic places that you might want to visit in California, one of the most inspiring and natural wonders of the planet is the giant redwoods trees in Humboldt County, in the northern part of the State.
Humboldt Redwood State Park has a 32 mile stretch known as the Avenue of the Giants which holds the largest stand of redwoods in the world. This world famous scenic drive runs along historic Highway 101, which runs parallel to the modern 101 freeway, providing access to impressive hiking trails, memorial groves and tourist stops along the way.
This is part of a collection of State and National parks that include Redwood National Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, and Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park among others. There is a wide array of amazing things to do with campgrounds amongst the redwoods and coast that are open most of the year.
The costal redwood sequoia sempervirens exist in a narrow band along the coast that runs 500 miles from Monterey to the Oregon border. Humboldt Redwoods State Park spans more than 52,000 acres and is the largest expanse of ancient redwoods left on the planet.
Redwoods are living fossils dating back 100 million years to the Cretaceous Period and the time of the dinosaurs. Paleobotanist have discovered 160 million year old fossil redwoods throughout what is now North America and Canada and a long the coasts of Europe and Asia.
These redwoods trees are a few hundred years to as much as 2,000 years old. Costal Redwoods are the worlds tallest tree with some reaching more than 370 feet tall with diameters up to 15 feet or more.
Avenue of the Giants offers one of the best places to see redwoods by car with scenic groves found just off the highway. A good place to stop along the trail is Founders Grove Nature Trail. Located just off Avenue of the Giants, this incredible Redwood grove is home to some of the tallest trees in the world.
Near the end of the trail loop is the fallen 362 foot Dyerville Giant. The giant tree fell in 1991 and shook the ground and was detected on seismographs.
The Giant now lays on the ground where you can walk in awe along this massive tree 2000 year old tree and its huge root systems.
A collection of four State and National Parks with nearly 40,000 acres of old growth forests have been protecting redwoods since the 1920s.
Located in a remote area of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Fern Canyon is a spectacular setting along Home creek. The narrow stream has cut a corridor with 50 foot walls that is covered with ancient species of verdant ferns and mosses.
In this wet slot canyon each curve brings another beautiful view of lush vegetation, miniature waterfalls and an almost unreal primeval landscape. Walking among the ancient mosses and ferns is like stepping back eon of Earth’s history.
Two hundred years ago these forests likely covered more than 2 million acres along the coast. But after intensive logging of old-growth redwoods from 1850 to 1970, only about 80,00 acres remained and much of that is second-growth forests that was once logged out.
Threatened by decades of indiscriminate clear-cut logging, by the start of the 20th century ancient redwoods were in danger of disappearing altogether. Just over a hundred years ago serious efforts began to conserve the remaining old-growth forests. To save the remaining forests, parks and reserves were established for the remaining redwood giants
Starting with The Big Basin State Park in 1902, Muir Woods National Monument in 1908, the Humboldt Redwood State Park in 1921, and the Redwood National Park in 1968, these parks have preserve the remaining old-growth redwoods.
In Redwood National Park, The Lady Bird Johnson Grove is one of the most popular trails located not far from the 101 Highway. This short trail through the giant redwoods is an easy walk and derives its name from the former first lady of the United States. Dedicated to Lady Bird Johnson for her conservation and environmental work.
As you walk the trail there are educational signs scattered on the path which makes it the perfect hike for families exploring the forest.
One of the best things about a road trip are some of the strange and cool roadside attractions. The Trees Mystery is a gondola sky ride and Indian Museum with a gift shop with over 15,000 items.
Located in the center of the Redwood National and State Parks along highway 101 and adjacent to the Klamath River, the 49 foot tall Paul Bunyan and his 35 foot tall pet blue Ox babe welcome you to The Trees of Mystery since 1946.
Redwood National Park is where to go to avoid the crowds at other more popular California attractions. The redwood trees are one of the oldest living forms of life on the planet. Add to that the serenity of walking amongst these giant beings is something that everyone should experience.