Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California’s oldest state park, showcases the enduring beauty and resilience of nature despite facing devastation. Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the park’s iconic Redwood Loop Trail offers a vivid reminder of recovery after the 2020 wildfire that burned 97% of the park. This flat, 1-km loop is surrounded by towering ancient trees, some over 90 meters tall and 1,000 years old, and vibrant green shoots sprouting from charred trunks.
The fire, sparked by lightning in August 2020, blackened 350 square kilometers, destroying most of the park’s infrastructure and reducing Douglas fir populations to a mere 3%. Despite the destruction, redwoods demonstrated their remarkable ability to regenerate from roots, branches, and even trunks, a feature unique among conifers.
After four years of renewal, including severe droughts and powerful storms, about 10 kilometers of trails and 40 kilometers of fire roads are accessible to visitors, with more trails expected to reopen soon. Among these, the Redwood Loop Trail remains a highlight, offering views of old giants and signs of vibrant new growth amid the lingering scars of fire.
Established in 1902, Big Basin Redwoods was born out of local activism to preserve ancient forests from aggressive logging. Today, it remains a testament to conservation, though the impact of the fire is still evident. The park headquarters, once a historic log cabin-style structure, now has only remnants like concrete steps leading to an empty space. Campgrounds and popular trails, such as Berry Creek Falls and Sequoia Trail, are years away from reopening, and a new facilities plan is expected by 2025.
Currently, visitor numbers are significantly lower than pre-fire levels, making Big Basin an excellent addition to a Santa Cruz area trip rather than the primary destination. Nearby attractions include Rancho del Oso, the coastal section of the park, which features scenic trails, a nature center, and Waddell State Beach, famed for windsurfing.
Other nearby parks such as Año Nuevo, Henry Cowell Redwoods, and Wilder Ranch State Park, along with Santa Cruz’s vibrant cityscape and coastline, provide visitors with ample opportunities to explore. Big Basin’s rebirth serves as a powerful reminder of nature’s capacity for recovery and renewal.
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