YOu HAvE REACHEd THE ENd OF THE 3. REdWOOdS ANd FIRE In order to continue to protect park OLd-GROWTH REdWOOd LOOP TRAIL More than 100 years have Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park resources and to make your visit at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. This passed since the last forest more enjoyable: grove has been admired and cared for by fire burned through here. • Leave only footprints, take only those who have walked this trail before you; REdWOOd GROvE Feel the trunk of this photographs. All park features please continue the tradition to ensure this tree, noticing the fire are protected. grove will remain preserved forever. These LOOP TRAIL scars that are still incredible trees can only be protected with • Watch for three-leaved poison oak. present. Most fires cannot your help. Although your walk has ended we Henry Cowell Redwoods • A drinking fountain and a semi- penetrate the thick hope your interest and enthusiasm for the State Park preserves a accessible restroom are located fibrous and almost fire coast redwood continues. 40-acre grove of the tallest mid-trail just past the turn to the resistant redwood bark. tree species on earth. Fremont tree. An intense fire may burn This unique ecosystem • A fully accessible restroom is through the bark and hollow out a tree, but, of ancient coast redwood inside the visitor center located if enough living tissue remains unharmed, Thank you for visiting Henry Cowell trees has captured the adjacent to the trailhead. the tree, like this one, continues to live and Redwoods State Park. interest and dedication of slowly heal its fire scars. For more information come many people throughout time. On this .8 mile (1.2 1. WELCOME TO THE RAINFOREST to our visitor center. 4. THE OTHER TALL TREE km) flat loop trail, you Take a moment to breathe in this fresh Touch the bark of this Douglas-fir tree. The will discover the survival forest air, feeling the temperature difference other tall tree in this forest feels different adaptations of the between the parking lot and where you now than the coast redwood. The stringy, fibrous coast redwood and the stand. Look up. You have entered a special redwood bark feels spongy and Douglas-fir inspiration this grove type of temperate rain forest, an old-growth bark is hard and furrowed. When comparing holds that led to its coast redwood forest. These trees can grow leaves, the Douglas-fir needles resemble protection. Be prepared beyond 300 ft. (91m) tall and live to the a bottle brush while redwood leaflets lie www.parks.ca.gov to experience the majestic mature age of over 2,000 years. Rainy and flat on the twig. Both trees make small beauty of an old- foggy coastal conditions ensure there is cones, though differently shaped. The coast Also, visit: growth coast redwood enough moisture for their survival. redwood cone is round and the Douglas- forest that stands as a fir cone is conical with small bracts that www.mountainparks.org 2. AMAZING CHARACTERISTICS tribute to the efforts of resemble a mouse tail and hind feet. Phone: (831) 335-7077 preservationists—past, Sequoia sempervirens, the ever-living present, and future. redwood, is another name for the coast 5. REdWOOd FAMILY CIRCLES redwood. Its many survival adaptations The coast redwood has the ability to sprout include thick bark, long roots, and its from its trunk base. You are now standing in extraordinary height. Tannic acid within the middle of a redwood family circle, where redwood bark gives it a rich cinnamon a larger redwood once grew. The trees that red color while providing defense against make up this circle have sprouted from the insects, fungus, and even fire. Almost base of a parent tree. Even if a redwood tree © 2013 California State Parks indestructible, these huge trees persistently survive while battling the natural elements. Continued on next page. has been logged, its root system is still alive. that General Frémont spent the night in the 11. BuRLS 14. THE PHANTOM OF THE FOREST This unique ability among conifers testifies burnt-out, hollow redwood tree in front of The profusion of bumpy growths on this tree is The white foliage of the albino redwood to their strength and tenacity. Find young you. Asked if he ever slept in this tree when a burl. Harmless to the tree, burls are a mass leaves lack chlorophyll, which green plants redwood sprouts just around the corner of the he returned here in 1888, Fremont’s reply of natural, dormant buds and can sprout new need to make their own food. By sharing a fence, gently feel the delicate new growth, was “It makes a great story, let it stand.” foliage. Some burls are found on root tops root system with a green-leafed tree, this and consider what will become of these young Today you can explore the inside of the while others can be seen higher on the tree. distinctly white redwood sprout survives redwoods over time. Frémont Tree. Once inside, feel the humid As a redwood grows, the burl steadily grows by getting its necessary nutrients from air and marvel at this still-living tree and its until the number of buds reaches thousands. the parent tree. Depending on seasonal 6. NEW LIFE FROM dEAd TREES great story. Sprouting among cone-bearing plants is conditions, the albino redwood may seem The tallest trees in the world have a shallow rare, and these curious bumps add to the like a ghostly apparition, and very difficult root system growing only 6-12 feet below the 9. CALIFORNIA BAY TREE magnificence of the coast redwood. to spot growing right in front of you. surface. Instead of growing deep, their roots Under your feet, the crunch of dry California grow out, extending hundreds of feet laterally. bay leaves reveals a spicy aroma. Reach 12. BANANA SLuGS JETER STONE Wrapping their roots around other redwood down to pick up the long slender leaf; crush Under the low-growing, clover-like plant called On your way to Stop #15, locate the Jeter roots, these trees help each other stay in the it to release a familiar fresh scent. This bay redwood sorrel, you might catch a glimpse Stone on the left side of the trail. In 1930, ground until flood and wind finally knock them leaf is different from, though related to, the of a banana slug. A native mollusk, this William T. Jeter, a state and local community over. Fallen redwoods provide a fertile place Italian bay leaf used in cooking. Squirrels, animal helps the redwood forest by recycling leader, saved this grove from being cut. for new trees to grow. Count how many trees deer, and birds eat the round bay nut. nutrients through eating various parts of The grove you are now standing in was then you see growing from this downed redwood. Natives of the area used them for making the forest, such as green plants, fungus, and named Santa Cruz County Big Trees Park. flour and a coffee-like beverage. decaying matter. Identified by its bright The Cowell family donated neighboring 7. THE GIANT yellow color, long, slimy body, and shining lands in 1953, when this grove and Aptly named, this tree called The 10. REdWOOd, RAILROAd, ANd RESORT “footprint”, the banana slug surrounding property became the California Giant grows to 270 ft. (83m) tall and Listen for the whistling sound of a train. is a charismatic and State Park named Henry Cowell Redwoods. over 17 ft. (5m) wide, almost as high On the other side of the fence, railroad important part of as a 25-story building. Imagine—a tracks line the ground. Many years after this ecosystem. 15. REdWOOd FAMILY TREE tree this large grows from a seed the the Frémont expedition, disembarking This slender tree is the dawn redwood. A size of an oatmeal flake! Redwood passengers from San Francisco came to 13. AWE-INSPIRING TREES close relative of the coast redwood, it was seeds come from olive-sized cones the Welch’s Big Trees Resort. The Welch With all the characteristics the coast redwood thought to be extinct until the 1940s, when containing, on average, 60-120 seeds. The family acquired this grove in 1867, and by possesses, it is no wonder many people grew it was rediscovered in a remote valley in redwood forest floor is thickly covered with doing so preserved the trees. Now close to admire these trees and want to preserve China. This deciduous redwood is also leaves, so seeds rarely find their way to the your eyes, imagining the sounds of chatter them for future generations. This fine example planted near the park entrance station; soil except after a fire or flood. It is amazing and excitement with resort patrons dancing of one root system supporting many trees both trees were reportedly planted on the to think that a tree the size of The Giant can to live music, on their way to dinner, and demonstrates the sheer persistence this same day more than 60 years ago. A giant germinate from something so small! relaxing among these glorious trees. Because species has to survive. Listen to sounds of this sequoia has also been planted there all of the extraordinary qualities of this grove, old grove. The melody of the Pacific wren and three redwoods may be compared. 8. THE “GREAT STORY” OF THE the resort lasted about 50 years. The resort the loud chatter of the western grey squirrel FRÉMONT TREE has long been gone but the train now runs remind us they live here in this protected Continued on next page. Known as ‘The Pathfinder’, John Frémont came once again just outside the grove and place, and of how fortunate we are that places through this forest in 1846. It was reported through the park. like this exist.