Redwood Trail at Big Basin Redwoods State Park

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Big Basin Redwoods State Park

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Redwood Trail at Big Basin Redwoods State Park

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Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.7 miles / 1.1 km
Duration: 1 hour or less

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Overview: The Redwood Trail at Big Basin Redwoods State Park loop offers easy access to some of the tallest and oldest Redwoods anywhere. The fact that the trail is flat and well-maintained, combined with the well-marked attractions along the way make this a perfect hike for families with young children.

The main attractions along this trail are Father of the Forest (known for its wide circumference), Mother of the Forest (the tallest tree in Big Basin) and The Chimney Tree (whose hollow trunk offers a spectacular view up into the sky).

There are also several large fallen trunks along the trail that kids love to use as balance beams. Two of them are marked as POIs in this Guide.

Tips: * Entrance fee at Big Basin is $10 per vehicle
* There are several benches spread out along this loop. Bring picnic and take breaks at your leisure.
* During Summer and Fall, when the trail is dry, there is no need to wear hiking boots. Running / tennis shoes will do the job for you.

Points of Interest

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Start at Big Basin Park HQ

From the parking lot at Big Basin HQ follow the well-marked, wide trail towards the start of the Redwood Loop.

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Start of the Redwood Trail Loop

The "Trail Head" of the Redwood Trail loop is clearly marked. You can follow the Trail in either direction. This guide will take you counter-clock-wise, so keep going straight at the trail marker, rather than going left.

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Fallen Tree - Play time!

On the left side of the trail you will find a huge fallen tree, whose trunk can be the source of endless "balance beam" entertainment for your kids. Be careful, as the trunk is quite big.

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Chimney Tree

This Redwood is entirely hollow. You can stand inside the tree and look straight up through the tree and see blue sky above.

The hollow trunk is caused by repeated fires, but the tree is in fact alive and growing.

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Fallen Trunk... another great balance beam

This trunk is a bit narrower than the first one, making the balance beam play a bit easier for the young ones.

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Viewpoint for Mother of the Forest

From here you can see Mother of the Forest, the highest tree in Big Basin. From this point you can see its entire "body". Notice how high it rises above the other trees. Take a good look, as you will soon stand at its foot from where you can not see the top of the tree anymore.

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Father of the Forest

This giant Redwood Tree is estimated to be 2,000 years old. It's height is 250 ft, and its diameter at breast height is 16 ft 10 in.

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Mother of the Forest

This is the tallest tree in Big Basin. It measures 329 ft. The base of this giant Redwood Tree is hollowed out by fire, but the trunk is healing.

Stand close to the base of this magnificent Redwood tree and look up along its trunk. This is a very impressive piece of art by mother nature.