The newly crowned tallest living thing in the world, Hyperion, a tree in Redwood National Park more than five stories taller than the Statue of Liberty, is too far from any trail to visit. But adventurers piqued by the discovery have plenty of other opportunities to explore old growth redwood groves in Humboldt County, the tallest, largest, and most pristine in the world.

Having the best growing condition for redwoods anywhere, Humboldt has most of the top 20 tallest redwood giants. It has a string of state and county parks with groves just as impressive as those in the national park, including Humboldt Redwoods State Park, home to the Stratosphere Giant, the former tallest tree, and the largest intact virgin redwood forest.

September and early October are the ideal time of year to visit. “Between the combination of warmer weather and lack of fog, it ‘s generally one of the best times of year to be here, “said Rick Nolan, interim superintendent of Redwood National Park, just north of Eureka.

Whether hiking, driving, or riding in a gondola, there are many ways to enjoy the redwoods. Here ‘s a quick list of ten trees to get you started. All are within a few miles of Hwy 101. Almost all

Advertisement
are easily accessible. Many are viewable or a short walk from the Avenue of the Giants and the Newton Drury Scenic Parkway, which parallel Hwy 101.

Ten Must See Trees on theRedwood Coast

Giant Tree. Not the tallest redwood, but pretty much the best in show. Designated a Champion redwood tree for having the best combination of height, diameter, and crown spread, or how the branches spread out. It may be the largest coastal redwood, as far as mass goes. In Humboldt Redwoods State Park (HRSP) near Mattole Road.

Big Tree. This tower stands out in one of the prettiest old growth groves. Two nearby bonuses are the Roosevelt Elk herd in Prairie Creek meadow, and Fern Canyon, where a creek splits two walls of sheer rock draped in a thick carpet of ferns. Its prehistoric look convinced Steven Spielberg to film a “Jurassic Park “scene there. In Redwoods National and State Parks (RNSP), north of the Prairie Creek Visitor Center.

Corkscrew Tree. This photogenic oddity has four trunks intertwined together as they all reach up skyward. “Everyone I take there goes ooohhh and aaahhhh, and takes a lot of pictures. There ‘s nothing else like it, “said Jerry Rohde, co-author of “Best Short Hikes in Redwood National & State Parks. “In RNSP near Big Tree.

Founders Tree. It offers a nice view from a distance because the limbs don ‘t start until almost 200 feet up, more than half the length of a football field. Onlookers notice primarily the big trunk, described as a majestic temple column. In HRSP near the town of Weott.

Dyerville Giant. This champion tree crashed to the ground in 1991, creating a thunderous roar akin to a train wreck, but still impresses visitors today. The one million pound giant left behind a carcass almost 400 feet in length, a huge uprooted root cluster with wooden “dreadlocks “sprouting in all directions, along with an enormous crater where it once stood. Just south of the Founders Tree.

Girdled Tree. This big redwood is thin-skinned but managing to survive a major insult. About one hundred years ago, a group removed most of the first 30 feet of bark and took it to San Francisco to stitch together a faux redwood trunk for an exhibition. Remarkably it survived, and the scar edge allows visitors a dramatic view of the one-foot thickness of the redwood bark, which protects them well from fires and pests. Located in HRSP ‘s French Grove, just south of the town of Pepperwood.

Tall Tree. Named the tallest redwood in 1963, this tower helped generate public support for the creation of Redwood National Park five years later. The roundtrip hike can take a day, but the first leg includes a nice stand of old growth trees and a meadow frequented by elk. To sidestep most of the hike, a limited number of free daily permits are available in nearby Orick to drive down the Tall Groves access road.

Albino Redwoods. A handful of these rare white specimens, which take in nutrients from their mother trees, dot the redwood groves in Humboldt County parks. Hard to find, but worth a look.

Johnson Trail Trees. The highelevation section of this forest includes redwoods at the limit of their growing range. There are big boulders strewn about, which the redwoods grab and break down with their roots. “The rocks are biodegradable, “quipped Dave Stockton, the HRSP visitor center manager. A bonus is a trail section recovering from a fire a few years ago, where blackened redwoods share floor space with young fire-friendly plants and the first crop of wild berries in awhile. Trailhead is off Mattole Road, a few miles west of Weott.

Trees of Mystery. Not quite in Humboldt County, but this private redwood reserve within RNSP is worth a mention. Here visitors can ride a gondola from the ground to above the treetops, taking a close look at the redwood canopies, which often host “fern islands, “small, watery ecosystems with rare salamanders, waterbugs, fungi and plants. Just north of Klamath.

Humboldt County has over 100 miles of pristine beaches and coastline, six wild and scenic rivers, abundant wildlife, charming small towns full of Victorian architecture, unique attractions and events, lively arts and culture and acclaimed food and wine.

For photos, more insider redwood tips, maps, a free Redwood Coast Travel Guide or general travel information, visit the Humboldt County Convention & Visitors Bureau website at www.redwoods. info, or contact the bureau at press@redwoods.info or 800-346-3482.