If redwood trees could share their stories, what would they say? Some of these giants are thousands of years old, but all have witnessed some truly unique moments in history. Historic Redwood National and State is a vibrant collection of essays sharing different parts of Redwood National Park’s history, from the Native Americans and the early explorers to park visitors today. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service and learn more about the cultural, political, and natural history of Redwood National and State Parks.

Provides an introduction to the parks and the movement to preserve redwoods, the world's tallest trees. Explores redwood natural history, the work of restoring loggeProvid lands, and North Coast Indian culture. Includes a travel guide and reference materials for touring the parks.

The epic saga of Big Basin began in the late 1800s, when the surrounding communities saw their once "inexhaustible" redwood forests vanishing. Expanding railways demanded timber as they crisscrossed the nation, but the more redwoods that fell to the woodman's axe, the greater the effects on the local climate. California's groundbreaking environmental movement attracted individuals from every walk of life. From the adopted son of a robber baron to a bohemian woman winemaker to a Jesuit priest, resilient campaigners produced an unparalleled model of citizen action. Join author Traci Bliss as she reveals the untold story of a herculean effort to preserve the ancient redwoods for future generations.

Visiting the redwoods in nineteenth-century California meant coming to Big Trees Grove, now part of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. This forest of giants in the Santa Cruz Mountains attained fame through the 1846 exploits of explorer John Charles Frémont, whose namesake tree still stands. Saved from the logger's axe by Joseph Warren Welch in 1867, these were the first coastal redwoods preserved for public recreation. As a world-renowned resort for sixty years, Big Trees Grove hosted thousands of visitors--from picnickers to presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt. Join author Deborah Osterberg as she recounts the stories of those first visitors and the awe-inspiring landscape they preserved for future generations.

* More than 60 short hikes in the Redwoods -- from half-hour to half-day -- with camping and park facilities information * Handy quick-guide for selecting hikes by difficulty, mileage and features (flowers, water, views, etc.) * Little-known Redwood Park gems as well as world-famous Founders Grove and Fern Canyon trails A stand of towering old-growth redwoods, where sounds are dampened to near silence, where only the dimmest rays of light penetrate...or are you looking for redwood hikes with beaches? Redwood hikes known for wildflowers? You'll find those, too, in this guide devoted to the best hikes in Redwood National Park and the state parks-Prairie Creek, Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith and Humbolt Redwoods State Parks. Most trailheads are adjacent to paved roads, accessible within five miles of Pacific Coast Highway 101. This guidebook includes many short hikes off Avenue of the Giants and Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. It will take you to the Boy Scout Tree and to the Tallest Tree, a 367.8-foot skyscraper. But it also includes trails for solitude even at the height of the tourist season. Background information on redwood biology rounds out your experience.

"A guide to the best parks in the United States and Canada, including activity and accommodation information; information on nearby attractions; top ten lists; and information on local fare"--