Redwood

The redwoods—indescribable. Towering, majestic, utterly mind-blowing. Pictures? Ha! They don’t even come close. Arms outstretched, yet nowhere near wrapping around those massive trunks. They stretch high into the sky, vanishing into the heavens, leaving one to wonder—how many centuries, millennia even, have they stood there? How different would this world be without them? Luckily, that’s not a thought to dwell on today. They are here, they are magnificent, and they are a gift.

IMG_5132.MOV

The redwoods are only the beginning. This land—oh, this land—is full of wonders. To one side, wild rivers snake through the land, promising adventure for fishing lovers and serenity for those who simply want to soak it all in. To the other, the ocean roars, its waves crashing against rugged cliffs. Stopping at the overlooks, the sight stretches forever—gray-blue waves meeting the sky, a perfect blend of vastness and mystery.

IMG_5112.MOV

As the drive winds through the massive park, a sign appears - Big Tree. A question instantly comes to mind: what is "big" among these giants? The redwoods themselves seem to whisper the answer, beckoning toward the towering marvel ahead. How big is big? How old is old? Questions that had been swirling since the first moment among the redwoods. And then, there it is - Big Tree. At 286 feet tall, with a diameter of 23.7 feet, it has stood for around 1,500 years. A true giant, it has witnessed centuries unfold, weathered fires, storms, and time itself. The sheer scale of its existence is overwhelming. Time bends in its presence, making the moment both fleeting and eternal.

A short, .3-mile hike on the Revelation Trail provided a unique experience—one where you could truly immerse yourself in the redwoods using more than just sight. Designed for people with impairments, it encouraged you to connect with nature through smell, sound, and touch. Along the way, placards helped you realize what you were experiencing.

Smell: You don’t smell anything at first, not even trees or flowers. In many of my nature treks and anywhere city in the US, there’s always a scent, but here, there was no overwhelming aroma—just pure, fresh air.

Sight: Towering redwoods loomed overhead, casting shadows, with no distractions—just the beauty of the trees and he serenity of the forest.

Touch: The vastness of the trees struck me. Soft, spongy bark, lush moss, and hard hollow trunks offered a unique tactile connection to the forest.

Sound: Water trickling from the river and the occasional buzz of an insect were the only sounds.

A spontaneous stop leads to Tulum Falls. A short stroll? Not quite. A quick look at the sign reveals a longer trek, half a mile to the falls and another half back. Easy, right? Except for the warnings—black bears in the area. Oh. Suddenly, every rustle in the trees takes on new meaning. “Back away slowly, don’t approach wildlife.” Noted. Every step forward is a mix of awe and heightened awareness. The falls? Worth it. Cascading water, the sound echoing through the forest, a reward for the journey. On the way back, the sight of other hikers is oddly reassuring. Safety in numbers.

IMG_5270.MOV

Knowledge Nuggets

Redwood Bark

Redwood bark tells a story of survival—thick and rich in tannic acid, a chemical that acts as a natural fire-resistant shield. Like nature’s own armor, it protects these giants, allowing them to stand tall even when flames scorch and hollow out their trunks, defying time and destruction.

3 Species

There are three species of redwood—coast redwood, giant sequoia, and dawn redwood—each a living relic of ancient forests, with the giant sequoia holding the title for largest tree by volume and the dawn redwood once thought extinct until its rediscovery in China.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse