Redwood National Park: California at Its Wildest
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There are certain places on Earth that make us marvel at the true power of Mother Nature and contemplate the wonders of this planet. Whether it’s their scale or their beauty, these natural creations are awe-inspiring and regal. Such is the case of Redwood National Park, where ancient wooden behemoths loom large over a spectacular coast and serve as vigilant watchmen of the Pacific. This land of untamed plant- and animal life is a testament to the splendor and vitality of preserved forest. Redwood National Park is California at its most beautiful.
Walking amongst giants at Redwood National Park
To think, this could have all been completely wiped from the face of the earth. Before the state and federal government stepped in and enacted laws that protected the nearly 30,000 acres of irreplaceable forest that make up Redwood National Park, almost 90% of the centuries-old trees had been destroyed. Years of logging brought this forest to its knees, until preservationists took over and saved this great landmark.
Now, roughly 1,500 years old, Redwood National Park thrives on the northern California coastline, offering up some of the most remarkable scenery and outdoor adventure in the United States. Redwood National boasts thousands of the tallest recorded redwoods on the planet, including one that reaches almost 400 feet (its whereabouts are kept secret for its protection).
Visitors of Redwood National Park can trek at the feet of these thirsty mammoths by way of a rigorous hike to Tall Trees Grove or a calming stroll through the narrows of Fern Canyon. Come out on the other side of the forest, and you’ll find yourself in Elk Prairie, which sprawls out before the mighty Pacific Ocean and is home to herds of Roosevelt elk, the largest species of elk in North America.
Whether you’re looking to breathe the crisp air of towering redwoods or you hope to spot rare breeds of birds and other wildlife, Redwood National Park is a welcome getaway for those in search of the unbelievable wonders of nature.
Traveling the California coastline, high above the Pacific and sometimes almost dipping into it, past lagoons, lighthouses, deserted beaches strewn with driftwood, glimpsed while negotiating hairpin turns, zigzagging for miles to the southern reaches of Oregon, this is California at its wildest and its most beautiful. Standing proudly amid the eroded headlands and the vast sea is a forest, a dense and ancient forest, with trees that were standing when the Roman empire was falling some 1,500 years ago. We know this magical forest as Redwood National Park. Comprising over 40 miles of unspoiled coastline, this national park combines with the efforts of California State Parks to protect over 38,000 acres of irreplaceable forest. Here, these giant sons of Mother Earth, the coastal redwoods, rise majestically from a cushion of delicate ferns. At 368 feet, this is among the world's tallest trees. These huge trees are evergreens and require water, lots of water. In winter, they soak up the heavy rains. In summer, they're kept moist by thick fogs. Before becoming a park, 90% of the original redwood trees had been destroyed. Protection by state and federal law marks the salvation of this noble forest. A popular park highlight is a rigorous hike to secluded Tall Trees Grove. In this grove, one of the redwoods was believed to be the tallest in the world. Now, scientists say the tallest tree is hidden away in the redwood forest. The terrain there is often impassible. To protect the hikers and the tree, the location remains a secret. Logging in the area is commemorated by these gigantic fiberglass figures, the mythical lumberjack, Paul Bunyan, and his ox, Babe. The lush growth of ferns cushioning the ground, hearkening back to the Jurassic age. Moviegoers will remember it from "Jurassic Park" and "Star Wars". Here, in Fern Canyon, follow a modest creek through these narrows, 50 to 80 feet high. Moisture loving plants and mosses cling to the sides of the walls, including five different species of ferns. Divided by Highway 1, we find Elk Prairie tucked away into an ancient forest. It's home to Roosevelt elk, the largest species in North America. Today, Redwood National Park is a welcome getaway for hikers, birdwatchers and campers, and for those who simply want to contemplate the wonders of nature. Nearly 4 billion hectares of forest cover the Earth's surface. Forests are essential to life, and no forests in the world are more revered and protected than those growing in the United States national parks.
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