Founders Grove

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

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I would expect Founders Grove to be among the sites developed enough that it requires the $8 day fee, but found nothing about it. I set off on a double loop through the trees. They're nice and big. Perhaps not quite so large as those at Rockefeller Grove on the other side of the river, but still very nice. There's even one labeled with its particular details and set with a platform for picture taking without quite so much root stomping. You can go on up to Tall Trees for a taller one, but this is just off the main road and that is up a narrow, winding thing.

Signs marking one of the starts of the trail. A half mile ADA accessible trail starts here as well.

Some 346.1 feet of Founders Tree.

Extensive burn scars help set one tree off from the rest.

There's a few tunnel trees near the start, too.

Taking a clockwise route, I found myself passing the stilled drama of fallen giants crashing down atop each other, becoming broken and splintered with grand extensions. It took a long time to pass.

The drama holds.

So around I went, marveling at the gargantuan trees and trying to follow exactly the prescribed trail. Many haven't and there were quite a few signs out to help suggest which is correct and which definitely not to be done.

A large burl with more forming around a tree.

Another burned through tree.

The ground eye view.

Trees go on up the hillside, but the trail remains level.

I was surprised to come around to a pair of low stumps, one quite large. A plaque between them notes that it was the chopping of these trees that really put into motion the effort to save the rest.

The effort was not quite motivated enough until these two fell.

Gradually, I found myself back among the tree drama, as it was at the joining of the two loops. As I turned to follow the first loop once more, I was following the length of one of those fallen giants. The trail stuck with it for quite a way, but in the end, the tree stuck to it longer than the trail, which finally turned away. It was at least twice my height near the roots and still taller than me when the trail turned.

It's so shattered.

Walking along the fallen tree marks the impossible height of these trees far better than looking up at them.

*photo album*




©2022 Valerie Norton
Written 12 Feb 2022