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Family Fun in the Forest
by Rosalie Robison

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Family Fun in the Forest
by Rosalie Robison

Where could you take the family for a fun-filled nature trip with an admission price of only $2? Certainly you've heard of Calaveras County, California—made famous by Mark Twain and his accounts of jumping frog contests. But are you aware of the Calaveras Big Trees State Park?

The trees are not only big—they are mammoth redwoods. Sierra redwoods, also known as Giant Sequoias, are cousins of the well known California coastal redwoods. The coastal redwoods tend to grow a bit taller, but the Sequoias distinguish themselves with their girth. Sierra redwoods reseed themselves and are mixed in with conifers, while coastal redwoods resprout from roots and stumps and stand as pure groves.

Big Trees State Park is about a two hour drive from Sacramento or an easy day trip from San Francisco. Just pack a picnic lunch, herd the kids into the car and enjoy a scenic road trip down Highway 4 into the town of Arnold and Sierra Nevada mountain region. When you spot the brown entrance sign for Big Trees State Park, a friendly park attendant will greet and guide you into a parking lot where you will find several hiking and walking trails meandering through the trees, as well as a visitor center. You can leave your car here and explore the park on foot.

Or if you wish to drive straight past the park attendant, six miles later you will hit a road that will take you to the Stanislaus River. You'll know you've reached your final destination when you spot a bridge overlooking a magnificent view of crystal clear water. Kids can scoot down the long wooden steps and explore many large flat rocks that act as piers jutting out, water gurgling and gushing over smaller rocks.

Back at the Big Trees trails, kids and adults will love exploring the popular North Grove, a walking trail that takes about an hour. It is also accessible to strollers and wheelchairs. Once on the North Grove trail, you can lollygag around a looped path. A stairway leads up to a large felled trunk base that was once a dance floor. Other fallen trees are hollowed out into tunnels and can be climbed through.

The path continues to wind through the Pioneer Cabin tree tunnel. There are many fallen trees kids can climb and walk on. Massive uprooted trunks as big as a log cabin extend outward. Reclining wooden benches are strategically placed where stupendous views of two trees resembling a Mother and Son stand side by side. The Siamese twins are like two majestic towers merged at their trunks. Other trees like Old Bachelor have gnarled branches or unusual burls while some trees twist in spirals as they grow.

A tree with all of its bark stripped still stands despite being charred by a fire. This is an example of what was done to prove to skeptics around the world that these trees existed. The cuts can be seen if you squint hard enough. The Empire State tree, 30 feet in diameter and 48 feet high and a Granite State tree, with roots reaching up to 150 feet, stare down at you as you gaze up in awe. Bring a camera or video camera to snap and record unique shots of the forest.

The grove was first discovered in 1852 when a hunter came upon a 1,244 year old redwood that appeared to be 300 feet tall. Unfortunately, a group of unforgiving tree cutters cut down the redwood the following year. Nowadays, it is referred to as the Big Stump, as only its trunk remains. Big Trees did not become a state park until 1931. Even though there are some charred trees, most survived fires because of the protective tannin under the bark.

For the adventurous hungry hikers, there are other scenic hiking trails and plenty of picnic areas in the park. Maps of the different trails can be found at the trail routes for 25 cents, or you can stop at the visitor center to get free information. If you have a family who loves camping, there are campsites for overnight outings.

Be sure to check out the nature exhibit in the visitor's center. Your curious kids can identify rocks, seeds or cones in hands-on exhibits, touch a stuffed fox and view a small black bear or chickaree in a glass case. Or if they're afraid of petting small stuffed squirrels, they can guess the names of pressed wildflowers by reading placards. Native American artifacts sit alongside the park's history behind other glass cases.

Many people are unaware that redwoods date back to the prehistoric era. Calaveras Big Trees State Park is one of the few remaining groves in America. Thanks to naturalists and preservationists, this grove has been preserved for you and future generations of nature-loving families.

Other articles by Rosalie Robison:

• Cave of the Winds, Editor Pick, July 2002

• A Honeymoon After 13 Years Together, Love on the Road Spotlight, February 2002