Calaveras Big Trees State Park

The Discovery Tree that had earlier stopped Dowd in his tracks was the first casualty in the rush to exploit the giant sequoias. It took five men 22 days to cut it down. Sections of bark and a portion of its trunk were shipped to San Francisco to be placed on display. Later it was sent around Cape Horn to New York City, where it was considered a “humbug” by many skeptics. The financially unsuccessful showing closed, and while the tree’s artifacts were awaiting shipment to Paris, a fire destroyed the entire exhibit. The Discovery Tree’s stump remains in the North Grove. Further depredations continued in the -- parks.ca.gov

Hike Date: 10 June 2018

Big thanks to California Dept of Parks and Rec

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~~ CK

Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Three miles north of Arnold off Highway 4, the colossal trees of Calaveras Big Trees State Park stand in quiet testimony to prehistoric times. These massive relics, which can reach a height of 325 feet and a diameter of 33 feet, are descended from trees that were standing when dinosaurs roamed Earth and birds, mammals, and flowering plants began to appear. Some of today’s trees are thought to be as old as 2,000 years.-- parks.ca.gov

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Hike Date: 10 June 2018

Big thanks to California Dept of Parks and Rec

Support our parks!

Find a California Regional, State and National Park

Remember to bring the Ten Essentials for Day Hiking


~~ CK

Calaveras Big Trees State Park

In the spring of 1852, Augustus T. Dowd was tracking a wounded grizzly bear through unfamiliar territory when he came upon a forest of enormous trees. The giant sequoia that first caught his attention was the largest in what is now the Calaveras North Grove. At first, Dowd’s description of what he had seen was considered a “tall tale” until he led a group of men to the grove. Word of the giant sequoia grove’s existence spread rapidly. Newspapers picked up the story, bringing curious visitors and entrepreneurs eager to make their fortunes from naive spectators.-- parks.ca.gov

Hike Date: 10 June 2018

Big thanks to California Dept of Parks and Rec

Support our parks!

Find a California Regional, State and National Park

Remember to bring the Ten Essentials for Day Hiking


~~ CK