Tall Trees Walking Tour Stop 1

The Tall Trees trailhead marks a border between second growth and old-growth forest habitat.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

41.20794960540, -123.99318947000

You are about to take a trip through time, where old-growth redwood trees grow for millennia, and mushrooms spring up in just one night! Get ready to experience a diversity of life that flourishes in its interconnectedness, where no species of flora, fauna or fungi thrives on its own. The beneficial relationships discovered here are eons in the making. Please adjust your timepieces. You are now on redwood time!

In 1963, the discovery of the original Tall Tree (aka Libby Tree) in the grove below renewed an interest in protecting what was left of these ancient trees. The creation of Redwood National Park is a testimony to those who had the foresight to preserve this rich landscape for generations to come.

Before entering the old-growth forest ahead of you, look behind you for a moment and observe the size and density of the trees surrounding the parking lot. This is a second-growth forest that was reseeded after being logged. What problems might arise from these smaller, densely packed trees?