Hiking in Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park is located in northern California. It is part of a more extensive set of parks that protect the forests and beaches of the region. The park has several trails, including the Coastal Trail, Tall Trees Trail, and Fern Canyon.
Coastal Trail
The Coastal Trail is a 70-mile hiking path that passes through three parks. It is an excellent way to see the diverse landscape of Redwood National Park and its neighboring parks.
This hiking trail offers incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. As it winds through forests filled with giant redwoods, it gives hikers a chance to view the area’s flora. During spring, toothwort blooms along the trail.
In summer, low-hanging fog provides moisture for the growing trees. These areas are also popular destinations for seabirds. There are also several campsites in the parks. A backcountry permit is required to backpack.
The Coastal Trail takes you up and down a steep slope. But you can take your time and enjoy the views or get to the ocean.
Tall Trees Trail
If you are interested in a scenic hike, you may want to visit the Tall Trees Trail in Redwood National Park. This trail takes you through a magnificent grove of redwoods and is a moderately strenuous hike.
The tall trees on this trail can reach 350 feet in height. Many of them are moss-covered bigleaf maples. You will also see tall green ferns.
The Tall Trees Loop is a 1.3-mile trail starting from the parking lot. The loop leads to a redwood grove and then to a creek. There are benches on the path.
The Tall Trees Trail is a moderately challenging 4.5-mile round-trip. However, there are many things to see, and it can take nearly half a day to complete the journey.
The Tall Trees Trail is impressive, especially considering the distance involved. It would be best if you felt a permit when hiking the Tall Trees Trail. A key is available in person, online, or through the park’s visitor centers.
Fern Canyon
Fern Canyon is one of the more popular hiking destinations in Redwood National Park. Not only is this hike an ideal outing for the entire family, but it has a variety of natural beauty. This secluded canyon has an incredible, moist ecosystem and is home to many plant and animal species.
As for the trail itself, it’s one mile long and follows a series of small footbridges deep into the canyon. The creek runs along the path and gradually closes as the trail turns inland.
Fern Canyon is a popular destination for a hike because it’s a relaxed, moist environment with plenty of plant and animal species to see. It’s also an excellent place to take a photo. In addition, there are several waterfalls and moss-covered canyon walls.
Efforts to create a national park
In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the legislation creating Redwood National Park. Since that time, the park has undergone many changes. It is now known for its giant sequoia trees, dawn redwood trees, and prairie meadows. There are also more than 200 miles of hiking trails. The park is fee-free.
As the world’s largest remaining stand of unprotected coast redwoods was threatened, protesters rallied to save them. Save the Redwoods League led the effort. By the mid-1920s, the League was focused on four projects: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Big Basin State Park, and Mendocino Headlands State Park.
Save the Redwoods League was founded in March 1918. Its members were 26 men, including Newton B. Drury, the former leader of California State Parks.
Fire management plan
A fire management plan for redwood national park aims to maintain or restore natural conditions in the area. This includes the restoration of streams and vegetation.
Fire has been used for many reasons throughout history. Native Americans used upland areas for hunting and cultivation. Today, a well-managed fire can increase the quality of basket-making materials and facilitate deer hunting.
Fires have also been used for smoke management concerns. Controlled natural fires are routinely used, for example, when a large fire is declared in a national park.
In the 1930s, California preservationists opposed the creation of Redwood National Park. At the time, the redwood industry was dominated by four timber companies. Pacific Lumber, Simpson Timber, Arcata Redwood, and a company owned by the Georgia-Pacific Corporation.
When Congress established Redwood National and State Parks in 1968, nearly 90 percent of the original redwood trees were logged. The park was formed to protect and preserve this valuable natural resource.