Calaveras Big Trees
Calaveras became a State Park in 1931 to preserve the North Grove of giant sequoias. This grove includes the “Discovery Tree”, the first Sierra redwood noted by Augustus T. Dowd in 1852. This area has been a major tourist attraction ever since, and is considered the longest continuously operated tourist facility in California.
Open year-round, 129 campsites are available – some by reservation and some for walk-in only. If you prefer less rustic accommodations, check out the nearby town of Arnold. There are five hiking trails to choose from that accommodate hikers of all levels. One of the most popular is the North Grove loop. It is both flat and shaded. Totaling 1.5 miles, it leads you through a tree with a hole in the center that you can walk through and also passes a large stump you can walk across (including a small staircase you need to reach the stump). How big are these trees really? The largest redwood, located in the south grove, measures 25 feet in diameter even at six feet above ground! A typical redwood here is as tall as the Statue of Liberty, weighs over 4,000 lbs., and one tree could be used to build 40 five-room homes. Its really hard to convey (let alone photograph) the enormousness of something that has been living there for centuries.
The Visitor’s Center at the North Grove is a great place to regroup. As far as visitor’s centers go, and we’ve been to many, this ranks among the best. There are many things to touch, try, and take home which add to the experience of exploring a state park.
Other attractions in the Park include the Stanislaus River, Beaver Creek, the Lava Bluff Trail and Bradley Trail. Activities include (Winter) cross-country skiing, (Summer) evening ranger talks, numerous interpretive programs, environmental educational programs, junior ranger programs, hiking, mountain biking, bird watching and activities for school children.
A special “Family Day” is scheduled for August 21, 2010. From 10am – 4pm there will be rangers with live birds of prey, wagon rides, reptiles, Miwok demonstrations, nature crafts and more. You can also check out other Calaveras events taking place nearby.
