Continued to hug the coast on US-101 north into the Redwood National Forest and State Park system. The park here is managed by both state and federal staff and they are doing a bang-up job.
The Redwoods, in a word, are spectacular. The pictures don’t even come close to doing them justice. Over 300 feet high, from 1000 – 2000 years old. And unfortunately, only a small percentage of what once existed are left due to logging, climate change, etc. The Giant Redwoods of northern California are all that is left on earth.
A few tidbits about the redwoods. They are a direct relation to the Sequoias in and around Yosemite. They are so tall, that they support their own ecosystems at treetop much like the rain-forest. The branches are so big that they collect leaf litter and other debris. The moisture from the rainy season in winter, and the fog and mist off of the coast in the summer helps to decompose this organic material to form fertile soil high up in the treetops. Plants begin to form and animals that live their entire lives in this environment and never touch the ground. The Redwoods retain so much moisture, and their bark is so thick, that ground fires have to be extremely hot before it will penetrate and burn the tree. Quite possibly the biggest fire threat comes from lightning strikes and did see several examples of this.
Moved on through the park north to Crescent City for the night.
Redwoods (realize that I am about 75 feet up already). Try counting the rings.
That’s my hat, and I have a BIG head. This meadow was recovered from an old logging operation and now supports a heard of Roosevelt Elk. Paul and Babe.