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ANCIENT SEQUOIA & COAST REDWOODS
AND THE BRISTLECONE PINE GROVES
AND THE BRISTLECONE PINE GROVES
Redwoods
Three species of Redwood trees exist in the world and two are only found in California. The Coastal Redwoods, Sequoia semper virens, are among the tallest and oldest in the world, located in many Northern California counties. In Redwood National Park, the Libbey Tree reaches well over 350 feet tall. Set aside in 1968 to protect “old growth” redwood trees, this park offers more than 150 miles of hiking and leisure trails that give access to magnificent groves. Nearby, the King Range National Conservation Area is the “Lost Coast”, preserving 24 miles of pristine shoreline. It is an area of mountain streams, trails and forests, ideal for camping, hiking, fishing and sightseeing. Benbow Lake State Recreation Area features 1,200 acres of meadow and forested lands and a 26-acre seasonal lake. At the south fork of the Eel River, this State Park provides an opportunity to view river otters, turtles, and a wide variety of birds. Here, fishing is best during the salmon and steelhead run in October through March. Fort Humboldt, in Eureka, is an easy walk through time at the headquarters where President US Grant served as a captain in 1854. At this site is a logging museum and two fully-restored and operational steam locomotives. Nearby, Samoa Dunes Recreation Area welcomes visitors to enjoy hiking, surfing, fishing, sightseeing and beachcombing. Grizzly Creek Redwoods is a camping, hiking and swimming park along the Van Duzen River, situated among scenic groves of redwood trees. It is also conveniently located, situated 18 miles east of Alton.
Giant Sequoias of Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park Entrances
Big Oak Flat Entrance:
88 miles east of Manteca
on Rte. 120
Arch Rock Entrance:
75 miles northeast of Merced
via Rte. 140
Wawona Entrance:
64 miles north of Fresno
via Rte. 41
Tioga Pass Entrance
(summer only):
10 miles west of Lee Vining
via Rte. 120
Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove
At Yosemite Park's Southern Gate,
the road leads to the Mariposa Grove.
The Grizzly Giant Although Yosemite is
the perfect destination for hiking glacier
car ved valleys and seeing waterfalls,
Galen Clark’s discovery of
the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia
trees in 1858 -59 created his lifelong
role as Guardian of Yosemite National
Park over many years. Mr. Clark didn’t
seek to enrich himself from Yosemite
Valley or the Sequoia Trees. He did try
to make a living as a hotel owner and
guide service called “Clark’s Station”
in Wawona. He created three popular
books on Yosemite.
The Giant Sequoia tree named
Grizzly Giant is between 1600 -
2000 years old, and the oldest in
the grove. It is 200 feet tall, and
has a heavily buttressed base with
a circumference of 92 feet or a
diameter 29 feet. Grizzly Giant’s
first branch from its base is 6 feet in
diameter. Several ancient groves
are located in the immediate
area, Tuoluome Grove, Nelder
Grove and Big Trees in Calaveras
county.
Sequoia National Park & Kings Canyon National Park
Sequoia & Kings Canyon Nat’l Parks have the tallest and largest Sequioa Redwood groves in the country.
Sequoia National Park, the second oldest National Park in the country, is known for its deep canyons and high peaks with the Pacific Crest Trail winding its way through both parks. John Muir explored and named this area “Giant Forest” in Sequoia National Park, where standing are 4 of the world’s 5 largest trees. In the cathedral like Giant Forest stands the 275-foot tall General Sherman giant sequoia tree, a Sequoiadendron giganteum. The trunk is nearly 103 feet in circumference at its base. The General Sherman Tree is the world’s largest living thing.
Within the forest are nearly 40 miles of trails to explore, including two popular trails: the Hazelwood Nature Trail loop, an interpretive trek on giant sequoias;and the 2 mile Congress Trail loop, which leads to trees with names reflecting U.S. history. Adjacent to Sequoia National Park is Kings Canyon National Park, which includes most of the middle and south fork canyons of the Kings River and is bordered by the John Muir Wildnerness, Sequoia National Forest and Inyo National Forest. Kings Canyon reaches depths of 8,000 feet from river level up to Spanish Mountain’s peak. Other canyons exceed 6,000 and 4,000 feet. Most of this park is true wilderness and suitable for backpacking and backcountry camping, featuring over 700 miles of trails. The grant Grove trails provide the easiest and most pleasant strolls through the giant sequoias at Kings Canyon, beginning near the campsites. Both Generals Highway and Kings Canyon Highway thread through the canyons for motor tourism and spectacular views.
Boyden Cavern is located between Grant Grove Village and Cedar Grove on Hwy 180 and offers 45-minute guided tours of crystalline stalactites and stalagmites. At Roads End, on Kings Canyon Highway, one can stand on a flat, glacial valley and stare up at canyon walls rising nearly a mile above the river’s level. Between the deep canyons and majestic high peaks, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks offer endless recreational opportunities!
Coast Redwoods
Muir Woods canyon is a place to walk and enjoy the forest. The primary trails along the canyon floor are level and paved. Bridges along Redwood Creek create leisurely 1/2 hour, 1 hour, or 1 1/2 hour loops. All of these walks take you on a journey beneath 1000 year old old-growth coast redwood trees.
Muir Woods is visited by over 1 million people each year. Visitation is highest in summer months; park staff recommends visiting on weekdays, before 10am or after 4pm to avoid the crowds. The redwood forest is usually cool. Jackets, layered clothing, and walking shoes are advised. Picnicking is not allowed in Muir Woods, but there are picnic facilities nearby at Muir Beach and Muir Beach Overlook.
To protect the redwoods William Kent and his wife Elizabeth Thacher Kent donated 295 acres of the land to the Federal Government and in 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt declared it a national monument. Roosevelt suggested naming the area after Kent, but Kent wanted it named for conservationist John Muir.
In May 19, 1945, delegates from all over the world met in the spring to draft and sign the Charter of the United Nations.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, shortly before he was to have opened the United Nations Conference. On May 19, the delegates held a commemorative ceremony in tribute to his memory in Muir Woods’ Cathedral Grove, where a dedication plaque was placed in his honor. (photo to right shows trees before their wind destruction in 2003)
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and Redwood National Park are together recognized as one of only 165 international resources as a World Heritage Site. The parks are also listed as one of 226 Biosphere Reserves around the world. Though many trees have been harvested for their valuable timber, more than 160,000 acres now stand protected by the Park Services and are enjoyed by over 2 million visitors each year. The largest and oldest Coastal Redwood trees in the world are located in Humboldt County. The Libbey Tree in Redwood National Park stands well over 350 feet tall. Redwood National Park offers recreational opportunities all year. Quiet redwood groves, the beach, wildlife, photography, historic sites and horseback riding can be enjoyed. One of the many ways to enjoy the many beaches and forests of Redwood National Park is by bicycle. Travelers can begin at the Park’s Visitors Centers by picking up a map to the trails.
Ancient Bristlecone Pines in the White Mountains
a Located in east central California just north of Death Valley, and on the western edge of the Great Basin, the White Mountains rise to a respectable altitude of 14,246 feet (4342m). Yet they remain in a rain shadow map of the Sierra Nevada located a few miles west across the deep Owens Valley. As Pacific storms move eastward, the Sierra simply takes the majority of moisture, leaving the White Mountains with strong dry winds. Annual precipitation is less than 12 inches, most of which arrives as snow in winter. On a summer's day the amount of moisture in the air is about half a millimeter, the lowest ever recorded anywhere on earth. But these very hardships contribute to these mountains bringing forth trees so beautiful, so ancient they surpass the majestic Giant Sequoia of the Sierra age by more than a millennium!
Three species of Redwood trees exist in the world and two are only found in California. The Coastal Redwoods, Sequoia semper virens, are among the tallest and oldest in the world, located in many Northern California counties. In Redwood National Park, the Libbey Tree reaches well over 350 feet tall. Set aside in 1968 to protect “old growth” redwood trees, this park offers more than 150 miles of hiking and leisure trails that give access to magnificent groves. Nearby, the King Range National Conservation Area is the “Lost Coast”, preserving 24 miles of pristine shoreline. It is an area of mountain streams, trails and forests, ideal for camping, hiking, fishing and sightseeing. Benbow Lake State Recreation Area features 1,200 acres of meadow and forested lands and a 26-acre seasonal lake. At the south fork of the Eel River, this State Park provides an opportunity to view river otters, turtles, and a wide variety of birds. Here, fishing is best during the salmon and steelhead run in October through March. Fort Humboldt, in Eureka, is an easy walk through time at the headquarters where President US Grant served as a captain in 1854. At this site is a logging museum and two fully-restored and operational steam locomotives. Nearby, Samoa Dunes Recreation Area welcomes visitors to enjoy hiking, surfing, fishing, sightseeing and beachcombing. Grizzly Creek Redwoods is a camping, hiking and swimming park along the Van Duzen River, situated among scenic groves of redwood trees. It is also conveniently located, situated 18 miles east of Alton. Giant Sequoias of Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park Entrances
Big Oak Flat Entrance:
88 miles east of Manteca
on Rte. 120
Arch Rock Entrance:
75 miles northeast of Merced
via Rte. 140
Wawona Entrance:
64 miles north of Fresno
via Rte. 41
Tioga Pass Entrance
(summer only):
10 miles west of Lee Vining
via Rte. 120
Grizzly Giant Mariposa Grove
At Yosemite Park's Southern Gate,
the road leads to the Mariposa Grove.
The Grizzly Giant Although Yosemite is
the perfect destination for hiking glacier
car ved valleys and seeing waterfalls,
Galen Clark’s discovery of
the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia
trees in 1858 -59 created his lifelong
role as Guardian of Yosemite National
Park over many years. Mr. Clark didn’t
seek to enrich himself from Yosemite
Valley or the Sequoia Trees. He did try
to make a living as a hotel owner and
guide service called “Clark’s Station”
in Wawona. He created three popular
books on Yosemite.
The Giant Sequoia tree named
Grizzly Giant is between 1600 -
2000 years old, and the oldest in
the grove. It is 200 feet tall, and
has a heavily buttressed base with
a circumference of 92 feet or a
diameter 29 feet. Grizzly Giant’s
first branch from its base is 6 feet in
diameter. Several ancient groves
are located in the immediate
area, Tuoluome Grove, Nelder
Grove and Big Trees in Calaveras
county.
Sequoia National Park & Kings Canyon National Park
Sequoia & Kings Canyon Nat’l Parks have the tallest and largest Sequioa Redwood groves in the country.Sequoia National Park, the second oldest National Park in the country, is known for its deep canyons and high peaks with the Pacific Crest Trail winding its way through both parks. John Muir explored and named this area “Giant Forest” in Sequoia National Park, where standing are 4 of the world’s 5 largest trees. In the cathedral like Giant Forest stands the 275-foot tall General Sherman giant sequoia tree, a Sequoiadendron giganteum. The trunk is nearly 103 feet in circumference at its base. The General Sherman Tree is the world’s largest living thing.
Within the forest are nearly 40 miles of trails to explore, including two popular trails: the Hazelwood Nature Trail loop, an interpretive trek on giant sequoias;and the 2 mile Congress Trail loop, which leads to trees with names reflecting U.S. history. Adjacent to Sequoia National Park is Kings Canyon National Park, which includes most of the middle and south fork canyons of the Kings River and is bordered by the John Muir Wildnerness, Sequoia National Forest and Inyo National Forest. Kings Canyon reaches depths of 8,000 feet from river level up to Spanish Mountain’s peak. Other canyons exceed 6,000 and 4,000 feet. Most of this park is true wilderness and suitable for backpacking and backcountry camping, featuring over 700 miles of trails. The grant Grove trails provide the easiest and most pleasant strolls through the giant sequoias at Kings Canyon, beginning near the campsites. Both Generals Highway and Kings Canyon Highway thread through the canyons for motor tourism and spectacular views.
Boyden Cavern is located between Grant Grove Village and Cedar Grove on Hwy 180 and offers 45-minute guided tours of crystalline stalactites and stalagmites. At Roads End, on Kings Canyon Highway, one can stand on a flat, glacial valley and stare up at canyon walls rising nearly a mile above the river’s level. Between the deep canyons and majestic high peaks, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks offer endless recreational opportunities!
Coast Redwoods
Muir Woods canyon is a place to walk and enjoy the forest. The primary trails along the canyon floor are level and paved. Bridges along Redwood Creek create leisurely 1/2 hour, 1 hour, or 1 1/2 hour loops. All of these walks take you on a journey beneath 1000 year old old-growth coast redwood trees. Muir Woods is visited by over 1 million people each year. Visitation is highest in summer months; park staff recommends visiting on weekdays, before 10am or after 4pm to avoid the crowds. The redwood forest is usually cool. Jackets, layered clothing, and walking shoes are advised. Picnicking is not allowed in Muir Woods, but there are picnic facilities nearby at Muir Beach and Muir Beach Overlook.
To protect the redwoods William Kent and his wife Elizabeth Thacher Kent donated 295 acres of the land to the Federal Government and in 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt declared it a national monument. Roosevelt suggested naming the area after Kent, but Kent wanted it named for conservationist John Muir.
In May 19, 1945, delegates from all over the world met in the spring to draft and sign the Charter of the United Nations.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, shortly before he was to have opened the United Nations Conference. On May 19, the delegates held a commemorative ceremony in tribute to his memory in Muir Woods’ Cathedral Grove, where a dedication plaque was placed in his honor. (photo to right shows trees before their wind destruction in 2003)Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and Redwood National Park are together recognized as one of only 165 international resources as a World Heritage Site. The parks are also listed as one of 226 Biosphere Reserves around the world. Though many trees have been harvested for their valuable timber, more than 160,000 acres now stand protected by the Park Services and are enjoyed by over 2 million visitors each year. The largest and oldest Coastal Redwood trees in the world are located in Humboldt County. The Libbey Tree in Redwood National Park stands well over 350 feet tall. Redwood National Park offers recreational opportunities all year. Quiet redwood groves, the beach, wildlife, photography, historic sites and horseback riding can be enjoyed. One of the many ways to enjoy the many beaches and forests of Redwood National Park is by bicycle. Travelers can begin at the Park’s Visitors Centers by picking up a map to the trails.
Ancient Bristlecone Pines in the White Mountains
a Located in east central California just north of Death Valley, and on the western edge of the Great Basin, the White Mountains rise to a respectable altitude of 14,246 feet (4342m). Yet they remain in a rain shadow map of the Sierra Nevada located a few miles west across the deep Owens Valley. As Pacific storms move eastward, the Sierra simply takes the majority of moisture, leaving the White Mountains with strong dry winds. Annual precipitation is less than 12 inches, most of which arrives as snow in winter. On a summer's day the amount of moisture in the air is about half a millimeter, the lowest ever recorded anywhere on earth. But these very hardships contribute to these mountains bringing forth trees so beautiful, so ancient they surpass the majestic Giant Sequoia of the Sierra age by more than a millennium!
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