Armstrong Redwoods Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is State Natural Reserve to provide for the health, inspiration and The cathedral-like education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological trees of Armstrong Austin Creek diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities Redwoods State Natural State Recreation Area for high-quality outdoor recreation. Reserve complement the rolling, tree-studded hills of neighboring California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who Austin Creek State need assistance should contact the park at (707) 869-2015. This publication can be Recreation Area. made available in alternate formats. Contact [email protected] or call (916) 654-2249. 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 Discover the many states of California.™

SaveTheRedwoods.org/csp Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve Austin Creek State Recreation Area 17000 Armstrong Woods Road Guerneville, CA 95446 (707) 869-2015 or (707) 865-2391 District Office

© 2011 California State Parks (Rev. 2013) A rmstrong Redwoods State Natural Colonel James B. Armstrong Reserve and Austin Creek State Recreation Ohio native Colonel James B. Armstrong Area share a boundary, but are quite was one of the very few 19th-century lumber different from each other. Serene, 805-acre barons who appreciated both the intrinsic Armstrong Redwoods — shaded by ancient beauty and the commercial uses of the coast redwoods — has been a cool summer redwood groves. escape for generations of park visitors. The In 1874 Armstrong moved to Sonoma nearly 6,000 tree-studded acres of Austin County with his wife and family. They built Creek provide a bright, sunny place best their home in Cloverdale, where he invested experienced in spring and fall; summer in orchards and real estate there and in Santa temperatures here can reach 100 degrees. Rosa. Working with crop plants, Colonel Armstrong became a lifelong friend of PARK HISTORY agricultural pioneer Luther Burbank. Native People Upon his arrival in Sonoma County, Before the early 1800s, the Kashaya Pomo Armstrong began to purchase land in the people lived along the coast and what is dense redwood forest 2.5 miles north of now called the Russian River. The ocean and Guerneville. He saw that thousands of acres the river’s plentiful resources sustained the of seemingly inexhaustible redwoods were Kashaya people. being reduced to clear-cut tree stumps With the construction of nearby Fort (thus inspiring Guerneville’s original name, Ross in 1812, the lives of the Kashaya were “Stumptown”). To preserve some of his land abruptly altered. Fur trappers from the Russian-American Fur Company arrived at Colonel Armstrong Tree the fort seeking sea otter pelts and a place to grow food for their Alaskan outpost. For from this fate, he deeded 600 acres of the nearly 30 years, the Russians employed ancient forest to his daughter Kate, with numerous Kashaya Pomo people as plans for an arboretum and natural park. agricultural laborers — many of whom lived The Armstrong family allowed the public around the fort or in nearby villages. Some to visit and enjoy the beauty of the Kashaya women intermarried with the peaceful redwoods. Russian immigrants. Armstrong later bought the Big Bottom Today Kashaya Pomo and other native Sawmill and cut and processed millions of groups still live in or visit the area to gather feet of redwood lumber. The redwoods he leaves, roots and other natural ingredients had deeded to Kate remained intact; 400 of needed to make some of the world’s finest, Colonel James Armstrong Elizabeth Armstrong those acres eventually became Armstrong most sought-after Native American baskets. in 1883 Jones, ca. 1900 Redwoods State Natural Reserve (SNR). The popular Redwood Forest Theater was built in 1934.

Armstrong’s other daughter Elizabeth NATURAL HISTORY Mixed Evergreen/Douglas-Fir — Along (Lizzie) and her husband, Reverend The remaining coast redwoods (Sequoia ridges and slopes grow a mix of Douglas-fir, William Ladd Jones, dedicated the Colonel sempervirens), the tallest living trees on Pacific madrone, tanoak and California bay Armstrong Tree. This “monarch of the Earth, now grow naturally only along a laurel. These trees shelter northern spotted forest,” chosen before his death in 1900, narrow coastal belt from southern Oregon owls, pileated woodpeckers and tree voles. commemorates Armstrong’s vision of saving to central California. The wet fog that Hound’s tongue and common madia make ancient redwoods. shrouds this ancient, temperate rainforest seasonal displays in the sparse understory, The State of California acquired the grove helps maintain the moist conditions that which is also home to wood rats and in 1934; by 1936 Armstrong Redwoods State the trees — and the wildlife that depend alligator lizards. Park was open to the public. on them — need to exist. Today, scientists Oak Woodland — This habitat includes Armstrong Redwoods became a reserve are studying the effects of climate change California buckeye, manzanita, Oregon white in 1964, after insight into its ecological on redwoods. oak and California black oak. Band-tailed importance suggested that this vital resource Habitats and Wildlife pigeons, alligator lizards, king snakes and should be more effectively managed. That The two parks’ distinct habitats shelter gray foxes nest here. Checker lilies are found same year, the State began acquiring the a wide range of native wildlife. among the oaks. land which now comprises Austin Creek State Redwood — Coast redwoods shade forest Riparian — Along rivers, streams and other Recreation Area (SRA) to provide camping floor plants such as redwood sorrel, trillium, waterways, wood ferns, bracken ferns and and recreational facilities and preserve calypso orchids, and sword and bracken ferns. maidenhair ferns thrive. White and red alder, important wildlife corridors. Look for banana slugs, myotis bats and black- chain fern, giant horsetail, western azaleas tailed mule deer. and various mosses shelter California newts, Pacific tree frogs, American dippers and Call (707) 869-2015 to check on campground belted kingfishers. In streams, great blue status. Campsites are available first-come, herons fish for coho and steelhead salmon or first-served. They have tables and fire red-legged frogs as river otters play nearby. rings with nearby flush toilets and drinkable Closed-Cone Cypress — Sargent’s cypress water (but no showers). To reserve four or stands grow on serpentine rock outcrops. more sites for groups, call Stewards at Chaparral — Chamise, manzanita and sticky (707) 869-9177. monkeyflower make up this habitat. Deep Backcountry (Primitive) Camping — The non- in tangles and thorns, white-footed mice, reservable Tom King and Mannings Flat hike- California quail and other small prey hide in campsites require permits for backcountry from gray foxes. Bobcats can be spotted camping, available when the entry kiosk or hunting in chaparral and grassland areas, volunteer center are open. Sites have tables, Bullfrog Pond Campground bordered by a mixed conifer forest. fire rings and nearby pit toilets. Water from Grasslands — Native purple needlegrass the year-round stream must be purified Equestrians — Park trails are open seasonally and California oatgrass grow wild. Soap before drinking. to horses; horse trailers are not allowed plant, clarkia, globe lily and other When camping is allowed, register and beyond the picnic area. For trail conditions, wildflowers feed and shelter black- get a permit for Austin Creek camping at the call (707) 869-2015. A horse riding and tailed jackrabbits, Oregon juncos, Armstrong Redwoods SNR entry kiosk. If staff pack-station concession at Armstrong western fence lizards, gopher snakes and is absent, contact the park operator at Redwoods provides guided day trips garter snakes. (707) 869-9177 or [email protected]. (www.redwoodhorses.com). RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES Pond Farm Pottery: Temperatures are mild, with some fog year round. Summer brings heavier fog that usually Shortly after World War burns off by midday. Carry plenty of water at II, internationally known Austin Creek, where summer temperatures ceramic artist Marguerite can be very warm. Wildenhain accepted an Autumn is mild, with slow-moving creeks invitation from Gordon and blazing colors among the big leaf maples. and Jane Herr to move Winter rain to their art colony (now turns everything part of Austin Creek green. Camping — At SRA) near Guerneville. Austin Creek, Wildenhain lived, camping may worked, and taught at be available Pond Farm until her Banana slug year round. death in 1985. Two picnic areas in the redwoods are • Vehicles are permitted only on paved ¾ mile from the park entrance. Nearby Fife roads. When meeting oncoming traffic Creek runs swiftly in winter and slows or in Austin Creek SRA, vehicles traveling dries in spring, summer and fall. A small downhill must yield to uphill traffic. waterfall is close by. Amenities include picnic • Vehicles more than 20 feet long or towing tables, a barbecue pit, grills and nearby trailers may not use the narrow, steep park restrooms. For group picnic area reservations, road up to Bullfrog Campground. call (707) 865-2394. • Except for service animals, dogs are Annual Events — Armstrong is home to many permitted only on paved roads in both annual events. The Old Grove Festival takes areas of the park. Dogs must be on leash. place in September. For an event calendar, • Hunting and the possession of weapons are visit www.parks.ca.gov. prohibited anywhere in the parks. • Fishing is available only in Bullfrog Pond. All streams are closed to fishing to protect ACCESSIBLE FEATURES Armstrong Redwoods vital spawning habitat. Picnic Area — Accessible picnic sites are near the trailhead at Pool Ridge Trail. Parking — Routes of travel from parking area Bullfrog Pond to accessible sites are paved, but help may be needed with slopes. Bicycles — Ride bicycles only on paved and Exhibits/Programs — The visitor center is service roads, not on trails. At Armstrong accessible; wheelchair users may need help Redwoods, riders must share the flat, paved with ramp and path slopes. road with pedestrians and vehicles. At Austin Austin Creek Creek, the paved and service roads gain 1,000 Currently there are no accessible feet of elevation. features at this park. Accessibility is Trails — The Discovery, Armstrong and continually improving. For updates, visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. Pioneer Nature Trails through the redwoods Austin Creek SRA is currently operated by are self-guided. PLEASE REMEMBER Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods. Facilities — The reserve has a visitor • All park features are protected by law and Both state parks receive support center, outdoor amphitheater, picnic may not be disturbed in any way. through this nonprofit organization. facilities and about nine miles of hiking • Stay on designated trails. Off-trail walking For more information, contact: trails. The visitor center (nature store) has and riding cause soil erosion, damage Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods interpretive displays and sells a variety of redwood root systems, and expose visitors P.O. Box 2, Duncans Mills, CA 95430 (707) 869-9177 educational items. to ticks, snakes and poison oak. www.stewardsofthecoastandredwoods.org Riggs Rocky Mountain 1719ft 800 524m Fire

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© 2011 California State Parks (Rev. 2013) / Map by Eureka Cartography, Berkeley, CA