The Redwoods are indeed a sight to behold. They are literally thousands of years old, and tower up to 360 feet tall, and over 70 feet wide.

The area they are in is quite damp (especially like when we visited and it had been raining recently), and cool in the shadow of these natural monsters.

We visited the redwoods near Boulder Creek with some friends, and took a walk around the area to check out some of the more amazing trees.

Above is the visitor centre. This contains an exhibit, and a number of displays - plus a very welcome open fire.

You can get to here on Route 236, off Route 9. A cautionary note here... it is better to go to Boulder Creek, and up that way (about six to eight miles..). Route 236 for the most part is a very tight single track road winding its way through the redwoods - very picturesque, but A) Nauseating for the person in the back B) It takes ages - maximum speed is about 10 miles per hour!

Above is a photo of Stoogie, Tom and the three kids. Alex, Kurt and Kelly standing on a fallen tree. Tom was saying that the horizontal branches sticking out the very top of the trees (i.e.: 200ft+ above) are also known as "Widow-makers" by the woodsmen. This is because they have been known to snap off and kill the woodsmen... Listen for quiet snapping sounds, and and if you hear one - leg it!!

Sometimes the trees get burnt out, and leave a "cave" in the base, with the tree continuing to grow around the space. Above is Alex walking into one of these holes. The Redwoods do not burn easily - in fact they rely on fire for germination, so this is all that not unusual.

This is the view from the bottom of the above tree, where due to the top of the tree being lost (wind, fire etc) it has created a Chimney.

Above is the "Mother of the Forest". This  - well, read the sign above..

This is the base of "Mother"... quite large...

This is the Father of the Forest... its a bit smaller.

So, what was Michelle doing whilst all this excitement was going on...

Well...

This is Boulder Creek, one of the main places in the Redwoods, and on Route 236 and 9 which give you a route directly into the Redwood area.

No, this is not a national park... its the back garden of some of our friends in the Redwoods.

Please select an option from above to go direct to that area of the site...