Our Mission Big Basin The mission of State Parks is “ to provide for the health, inspiration and hese trees, because education of the people of California by helping T Redwoods to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological of their size and diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities antiquity, were among State Park for high-quality outdoor recreation. the natural wonders of the world and should be saved for posterity.” California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who –Andrew P. Hill, 1899 need assistance should contact the park at (831) 338-8860. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact [email protected].

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service

www.parks.ca.gov

SaveTheRedwoods.org/csp Big Basin Redwoods State Park 21600 Big Basin Way Boulder Creek, CA 95006 (831) 338-8860 Photo courtesy of Ruskin K. Hartley

© 2011 California State Parks (Rev. 2016) B ig Basin Redwoods, California’s oldest coastal people. They harvested seeds state park, covers more than 18,000 acres of grassland plants in the meadows and ranging from sea level to more than 2,000 gathered soap root and other bulbs for feet elevation. This acreage launched the food and utility. Parts of fern, horsetail, and state park movement in California. sedge were used to create baskets. They Big Basin’s biggest attraction— literally— hunted elk, pronghorns, and mule deer. The is a rare stand of awe-inspiring, ancient Quiroste and Cotoni used fire and other coast redwoods that are among the tallest land-management practices to promote and oldest trees on Earth. Some measure growth of useful plants. more than 300 feet tall and 50 feet in The Ohlone led resistance to the local circumference. Scientists estimate that Spanish mission influence in the late 1700s. these trees may range from 1,000 to 2,500 Eventually, tribal culture collapsed in the Sempervirens Club with the famous years old. face of contagious European diseases, Father of the Forest tree, 1901 Spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, natural-resource destruction, and the lush waterfalls, more than 80 miles of roads suppression of their native customs. Today, noted in accounts of a Spanish coastal and trails, and a fascinating natural and descendants of these tribes are working expedition led by Gaspar de Portolá in cultural history have beckoned millions of toward federal recognition and revitalizing 1769. Less than a century later, logging— visitors to Big Basin since 1902. their native traditions. to meet the demands of the gold rush and urban development — threatened to NATIVE PEOPLE THE REDWOODS deplete the forest. By 1884, the area’s 28 Humans lived in or near Big Basin for at Big Basin’s coast redwoods, Sequoia sawmills were processing more than 34 least 10,000 years before the Spanish sempervirens, are native to the United million board feet of lumber, shingles, explored the area in the late 1700s. The States; they grow only along the coast from railroad ties, and posts annually. Big Basin area was home to the Cotoni southern Oregon to Central California. The and Quiroste tribes, two of more than 50 name Sequoia may honor Sequoyah, the PARK HISTORY tribes comprising the 19th-century inventor of As logging continued, a battle to protect Ohlone culture of the the Cherokee alphabet, the ancient trees in the heart of Big Basin San Francisco and and sempervirens became the focus of citizens united to Monterey Bay areas. means “ever living.” save the redwoods. Photographer Andrew Grinding rocks, These trees are part of a P. Hill, journalist Josephine McCrackin, where native people once-huge ancient forest writer-publisher Carrie Stevens Walter, pounded acorns and of which less than five and a growing coalition of journalists, other seeds into percent remains. The politicians, artists, businessmen, and flour, are evidence redwood is California’s scholars formed the Sempervirens Club in that today’s parkland official state tree. May of 1900. served as the interior The Santa Cruz As Walter wrote, “Once gone, no human “food basket” for redwood forest was first power or ingenuity can replace them. Sawmill, 1900 Even the most callous- more than 18,000 acres, the park of serpentinite, basalt, limestone, ribbon minded materialist continues to grow through partnerships chert, graywacke, sandstone, and shale. does not love to think with private nonprofit groups like Each season offers a different park of this swirling globe Save the Redwoods League and the experience. The intense greens of mosses as a treeless place.” Sempervirens Fund. contrast with the subtle colors of lichens The Sempervirens and mushrooms during wet winters. Rushing Club enlisted and mobilized NATURAL HISTORY waterfalls and wildflowers abound in the supporters throughout the Ecology and Vegetation cool, foggy spring. Find a shady getaway state to join the race to Some redwoods measure more from inland heat in summertime. Fall offers pass legislation that would than 300 feet tall and 50 feet in pleasant weather without storms, pests, or protect Big Basin’s circumference. However, with no extreme heat. ancient redwoods. In taproot, redwood trees rely on a Climate change affects the redwood March 1901, a State network of far-reaching roots about forest. Coast redwoods receive much of their bill created California six feet deep, intertwined with those water and nutrients from fog drippings. A Redwood Park of other redwoods. Soil compaction 2010 University of California, Berkeley study (renamed Big Basin is a danger to these roots. Knobcone found that the coast now has 75% fewer Redwoods State Park pine, Douglas-fir, red alder, madrone, foggy days than it did a century ago. Mature The forest supports a variety of in 1927). life. Top to bottom: false turkey chinquapin, and buckeye also grow redwoods can survive, but fewer foggy days The bill also tail fungus, western azalea, here. The forest’s tanoak tree bark mean fewer seedlings mature into trees. established the California banana slug once provided tannin for local leather Redwood Park Commission. In 1906, after tanneries. Huckleberry, azaleas, wild orchids, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES much debate, the commission acquired ferns, manzanita, Indian paintbrush, and A year-round activity schedule can be found 3,901 acres from the Big Basin Lumber poppies dot the park. on the park’s website. The park’s Nature Company through purchase and donation. Wildlife, Geology, and Climate Lodge museum and the Headquarters Another 3,785 acres were converted from Foxes, coyotes, and bobcats live throughout Visitor Center have natural and cultural federal land to the state park in 1916. the park. Banana slugs feed on organic exhibits. The coastal Rancho del Oso Nature In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation matter, plants, and mushrooms on the forest Corps constructed the redwood Nature floor. Newts, lizards, and frogs are bountiful Lodge and Park Headquarters, a campfire in the coast’s damp, moist climate. center, a footbridge, cabins, stoves, and a California quail, brown creepers, various trail network. woodpeckers, owls, and flickers are some Today, preservation of the park’s natural common bird species found in the park. wonders has returned to the forefront. Be alert for rattlesnakes, poison oak, and The emphasis is preservation of the ticks. Use caution if you see a mountain lion; forest’s entire ecology, with its significant report aggressive encounters to park staff. geologic features, wildlife corridors, and Geologically, the park’s rock formations massive watershed. Currently comprising are a “Franciscan assemblage” — outcrops Interpretive programs at the campfire center and History Center offers exhibits and Park Headquarters, and the Rancho guided tours; call (831) 427-2288. del Oso Nature and History Center and Camping — 146 family campsites, four group restrooms. See http://access.parks.ca.gov. camping sites, tent cabins, backcountry trail camps, and horse camping are PLEASE REMEMBER available. For complete camping options • All natural and cultural features in the and reservations, visit www.parks.ca.gov/ park are protected by law and may not bigbasin or call (800) 444-7275. Trail camps be disturbed or removed. Collecting is are reservation only; for trail camp or prohibited, including down wood. Rancho del Oso horse camping details, call • Purchase firewood from the park store (831) 338-8861. For Little Basin Group Camp or camp hosts. info, call (831) 338-3314. • Be prepared for mosquitoes in summer. Trails — Big Basin’s 80 miles of roads • Feeding wildlife is prohibited by law. and trails introduce visitors not only Sempervirens Falls • Be crumb clean! Please leave no food to the redwoods, but to the park’s out— not even a crumb. Use food lockers During the winter, seasonal bridges on the different habitats and plants. Guided and don’t leave any food unguarded. Skyline to the Sea Trail are removed when hikes are scheduled. • Dispose of all trash properly. Recycle Waddell Creek is high. The easy stroller- glass, plastic, and aluminum. and wheelchair- ACCESSIBLE FEATURES • Except for service animals, dogs are accessible Redwood Restrooms and showers are accessible. never allowed on any trails, unpaved Loop Trail winds a Parking, eight campsites, three tent cabins, service/fire roads, in any portion of half-mile through the main picnic area, and several trails are Rancho del Oso, or on Waddell Beach. the ancient redwood accessible, as are the main Visitor Center, any time. environment. Visitors can see Opal Creek, THE MARBLED MURRELET, a seabird about the size of a robin, is a redwoods inhabitant some of the larger listed as endangered in California and threatened in the U.S. old-growth trees, a The murrelet nests high on a limb in the redwood canopy, redwood ring, and the hundreds of feet above ground. The bird travels up to giant Mother and Father of the Forest trees. 30 miles at dawn and dusk to feed on herring, smelt, Rated moderate, the Sequoia Trail passes or anchovies as it swims through the ocean. The spectacular Sempervirens Falls. A strenuous murrelet parents trade off for morning and evening hike on the Berry Creek Falls Trail passes feeding; the mother hatches only one chick per many of the largest old-growth redwood year. Marbled murrelet eggs and babies are prey to trees, Berry Creek, and its four waterfalls. the park’s corvids — jays, crows, and ravens. They are The 33-mile Skyline to the Sea Trail runs first attracted to food or crumbs left by humans, and from Castle Rock State Park through Big then the corvids notice the murrelet nests high in trees. Basin to Waddell Beach at Rancho del Oso. Photo Courtesy of Rich MacIntosh BIG BASIN: CALIFORNIA’S Andrew P. Hill photographed much of the OLDEST STATE PARK early history of Big Basin: The establishment of Big Basin Redwoods State Park in 1902 marked the beginning of the preservation and conservation movement in California and provided the vision for the hundreds of California state parks we enjoy today. In 1900, San Jose photographer Andrew P. Hill photographed the coast redwood trees in Felton Grove, now part of Father of the Forest Henry Cowell Redwoods redwood, ca. 1915 State Park. The then-owner of the forest accused Hill of trespassing and demanded Andrew P. Hill his negatives. Hill refused 1915 self-portrait and left, vowing to himself to save the trees for future generations and “make a public park of this place.” After a landmark meeting at Stanford University in May of 1900, Santa Cruz businessmen led Sempervirens Club annual Hill, journalists, and politicians on an excursion meeting, ca. 1915 to Big Basin, an ancient forest threatened by logging. After three days of exploring the forest’s wonders, the group elected officers and formed the Sempervirens Club. The club and its growing team of supporters pushed the state legislature to approve a bill to purchase the land. The bill passed unanimously. Thus was established California Redwood Park— known since 1927 as Big Basin Redwoods Campfire benches and State Park. tents, ca. 1915 to Portola Redwoods SP and Pescadero Creek Legend Big Basin Redwoods County Park State Park Basin to Saratoga/ Major Road Campground: Group Trail 1000 Skyline Blvd Trail BUTANO 1000 Easement 2000 1000

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Ranger © 2011 Califo r nia State Parks (Rev. 2016) Station Blooms Creek Creek d 1500 Cloverdale Road Marsh Trail R Creek Trail Blooms East d East Rancho del Oso n Waddell o Blooms Creek Ridge 236 Pescadero 94060 (650) 879-2040 m Trail Ridge Nature and History Center Mountain Beach P P Opal m Pine a Hihn Hammond Trail Castle Rock State Park 1000 H Mill Creek Connector Trail n Trail 15000 Skyline Blvd. Theodore J. Hoover Creek Hih Hoover 0.25 0.5 Mi0 Nature Trail 0.25 0.5 0.75 10 1.25 Miles Los Gatos 95030 Natural Preserve Ridge 0 0.5 1 Km Waddell Rd East Pine Mtn Trail (408) 867-2952 0 0.511.5 2 2.25 Kilometers to Santa Cruz