Avenue of the Giants - Humboldt Redwoods State Park

The Avenue of the Giants is a 31 mile section of the old two-lane US 101 that was bypassed in the 1960's by the current US 101 freeway.  This scenic byway passes through Humboldt Redwoods State Park, California's largest redwood park.  Interpretive signs are located at both the north and south entrances to the byway and a visitor center is located at approximately the midpoint of the route.  The visitor center houses a bookstore, theater, exhibits and offices for the employees and volunteers.  Restroom facilities with running water are also available. The park also has nearly 100 miles of trails, numerous picnic areas and several campgrounds.  Additional lodging is available at several towns along the way.  We visited the park on our way from Redwood National and State Parks to Point Reyes National Seashore in late August 2013.  

The appropriately named Avenue of the Giants

Looking over 200 feet up at a giant

Even trees that aren't giants are six to eight feet in diameter

Looking downstream on the Eel River

The Eel River just downstream of the confluence of the South Fork Eel River

While at the visitor center, we watched a movie about the the devastating Christmas 1964 flood of the Eel River.  In some locations, the river was more than 70 feet higher than its normal level.  Sections of the Avenue of the Giants were underwater as well as the visitor center and adjacent campground.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center south of Weott

"This tree fell near Bear Creek December 26, 2006.
The cut the date tags are mounted on is a third cut
about 70 feet above the base.  The beginning ring at
the center of this cut is from 912 A.D."

Date markers from "1000 Vikings discover North America" to "1928 California State Park system established"

The following text is from an outdoor display at the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center:

Distinctive Qualities of Redwoods

Coast redwood has been referred to as "eternal" or "immortal" and in fact the scientific name, sempervirens, means, "ever-living."  However, it just seems so in the human timeframe.  Most redwoods live for 500+ years, with some over 2,000 years.  Unique adaptations, which contribute to their longevity, include:

• A network of shallow roots which extend radially for many feet interconnecting with other trees to hug the earth and hold the trees during windstorms.

• A thick, fibrous bark which protects the trees from fire and insects.

• Concentrations of tannic acid throughout the tree act as a deterrent to insects and decomposition.

• A root system that is able to re-establish itself after flooding or siltation.

• The ability to sprout from root collar burl tissue located near the base of the tree.  Sometimes you will see a tree with hundreds of sprouts coming from the base.  Some of these sprouts will survive and eventually form a cluster or ring of trees all from a single root, which may be centuries old.

At the north end, the byway parallels the north-flowing Eel River.  At the confluence of the South Fork Eel River, the avenue follows the South Fork upstream.  Almost 400 miles of this river system have been designated National Wild and Scenic Rivers by Congress including all the sections within and near the park.

South Fork Eel River

Entrance to Humboldt Redwoods State Park is free.  However, a day use fee of $8.00 per vehicle is charged at Williams Grove Day Use Area.

The park website is http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=425.