Big Tree and Circle Trail - Redwood National and State Parks

Continuing our August 2013 tour through Redwood National and State Parks, we turned off of US 101 about 25 miles south of Crescent City onto the Newton B. Drury Scenic Drive in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.  This paved two-lane road parallels US 101 for nine miles through the park.  We stopped at the Big Tree wayside parking area and walked 100 yards or so to the Big Tree.  From there, we took the very easy 0.3 mile Circle Trail in a clockwise manner back to the Big Tree.  Even on such a short walk, the redwoods seem to affect people today in the same manner as described by John Steinbeck in recounting his travels in Travels with Charley: In Search of America:

“The redwoods, once seen, leave a mark or create a vision that stays with you always. No one has ever successfully painted or photographed a redwood tree. The feeling they produce is not transferable. From them comes silence and awe. It's not only their unbelievable stature, nor the color which seems to shift and vary under your eyes, no, they are not like any trees we know, they are ambassadors from another time.”

I hope you enjoy this short walk through the redwood forest of Prairie Creek.

Paved trail to Big Tree

The base of Big Tree

The top of 304 foot tall Big Tree

Looking up at Big Tree

Ferns along Circle Trail

Coastal Redwoods along the Circle Trail

Circle Trail is a smooth packed dirt surface

Another large tree along the Circle Trail

Only the bases of the trees are visible

The understory consists of ferns and small deciduous trees

A "fish-eye" lens provides a different perspective of the forest

The lowest branches on many redwoods are over 100 feet above the ground

An open area in the forest provides a view of most of a tree

The redwoods provide an open canopy that allows light to filter in to the ground plants

Another "fish-eye" view of the forest

"Can't see the forest for the trees"

The ferns and small trees seem to take over in places

Another big tree along Circle Trail

Fire-damaged tree

Trees, the trail and ferns

Entrance to Redwood National Park is free.  However, Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast and Prairie Creek Redwoods California State Parks have a day-use fee of $8 per vehicle at campground entrance stations.  All three state parks honor the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.  This pass is valid for one year for $80.  A lifetime National Park Senior Pass is available for $10 for those 62 years of age or older.  There is no fee to enter this part of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.