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Muir Beach Closed (not Muir Woods) July 8th - November 2013
This alert applies to Muir Beach, and not Muir Woods. Muir Beach closed July 8th - November 2013 for restoration/construction. No restrooms or parking available at Muir Beach during this period. Check back for updates or call (415)561-3054. More »
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Foggy Road Conditions
Adverse weather may cause delays on roads leading to Muir Woods. See Mill Valley on 511.org for traffic info. In heavy fog, use low-beam headlights. Tail-lights will be visible to drivers behind you.
Plants
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What is an old-growth forest and how is it different from other forests ? Muir Woods is the only old-growth coastal redwood forest in the Bay Area and one of the last on the planet. It is estimated that nearly 2 million acres of forest just like Muir Woods once covered a narrow strip along the coasts of California and Oregon. Today, 97% of this has been impaired or altered and most coastal redwoods now grow on protected second and third growth forests or managed timber plantations. Thanks to William Kent's preservation efforts, Muir Woods was spared this fate and remains as a very accessible yet prime example of an old-growth forest. The term old-growth is difficult to define. Old-growth cannot solely be determined by size or age of the trees within a forest because these qualities vary widely with species. However, there are four characteristics that slowly develop through time, and together define an old-growth forest. |
Did You Know?
A burl is a mass of dormant buds grown on the redwood’s trunk. In the event of a fire or flood disturbance a burl will vigorously sprout shoots each with the potential to become a mature tree.