The tallest Redwoods grove in the world exists in northern California and I know the location.
I’ve been contemplating on writing this post about the Redwoods Grove of Titans since my visit. First of all, I don’t want to promote any sort of bad habits. While I didn’t wander off trail in this area, there were hints on the ground suggesting that people often do. Secondly, I don’t want any harm brought to this historic grove and I’m afraid by sharing this post it could happen. To get up close to the trees, you have to go off trail. While I didn’t do that (thankfully having my zoom lens on me) I don’t want this to persuade or tease anyone to go off trail.
Regardless, I have a pretty responsible group of followers so I’m hoping you all will follow in my footsteps (literally) and only hike to the location without getting up close. While it may not seem like much, our footsteps on fragile vegetation can stunt the growth and cause more harm than we think.
Please remember to always follow the Leave No Trace principles while traveling in the backcountry. Read More: Leave No Trace: The 7 Rules of the Backcountry. Learn more about Leave No Trace on their website here.
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park in California is home to the tallest Redwoods grove in the world and I’m about to tell you how to get there.
Follow the Leave No Trace Principles
Before I share how I found the tallest Redwoods grove in the world with you all, I need you to make a silent oath with me that you will follow the Leave No Trace principles while traveling out here in the backcountry. DO NOT go off trail. DO NOT promote traveling off trail. Stay on posted trails and DO NOT hurt the vegetation. Our world is way too fragile to stomp on it just for a picture or to say that we saw it. LEAVE NO TRACE. ALWAYS.
The 7 Leave No Trace Principles:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
About the Grove of Titans
The Grove of Titans was discovered by a forestry professor in the year 1998. It includes 3 of the largest 10 coastal Redwood trees in the entire world, making it the tallest Redwoods grove to ever be discovered.
This grove is extraordinary. I’m not even kidding. It’s beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of. The location has been a secret because of the possibilities of a negative impact if the site was publicized.
Native Americans who have lived in this region have known about the grove’s existence for thousands of years now. Before its discovery, the only way to find out where the grove existed was through local’s word of mouth. That all changed when someone posted the coordinates online in 2011.
The Impacts of the Publicized Grove of Titans
And this is the sole reason why I am still hesitant as I write this post. The world of social media and nomad adventuring has led to some terrible issues in the Grove of the Titans. It’s like as soon as someone hears “tallest Redwoods grove in the world” they’re instantly persuaded to go there and venture off trail. On my recent visit I saw well-carved unauthorized trails, so apparent in the soil that you’d think you’re on an actual designated trail.
Because of this traipsing, the grove has seen significant damage. In a sample image below that I took in a different portion of the Redwoods, you can see the visible damage on this tree. This was caused by people climbing up near the trunk and it’s unknown whether it will ever recover from the damage.
Exposed tree roots, crushed delicate plants and fungi, soil erosion, missing bark and bases of trees that are now disintegrating. In the first 5 years after the Grove of Titans’ location was made public, approximately 8000 square feet of sensitive plants had been trampled. Eroded trails and destroyed vegetation was found all throughout the historic grove when assessing the damage.
I’m going to beat it in y’all’s head before you’re done reading this post! Please, please, please, LEAVE NO TRACE while out exploring in the Grove of Titans!
What Redwood Trees are Found in the Grove of Titans?
As mentioned before, the Grove of Titans is home to 3 of the 10 tallest trees in the world.
El Viejo del Norte has the widest branch of any Redwoods tree at nearly 10 feet wide. It’s the 5th largest single-stem Redwood tree in the world and also has the largest arboreal fern mat at 25 feet long and 6 feet wide. At 1700 years old, El Viejo del Norte is the third largest tree in the Grove of Titans.
The second largest tree in the Grove of Titans is 2300 year old Del Norte Titan. It’s also the 18th largest tree in the world and the 3rd largest single-stem Redwood.
Lost Monarch is the largest multi-stem Redwoods tree in the world and the largest in the Grove of Titans. At 157 feet high, it has multiple stems that stretch out from the trunk of the tree. Rising nearly 20 feet up the trunk before sprouting off, some scientists believe the sprouts are actually separate trees that share the same roots.
Screaming Titans was the first tree discovered by researchers in the Grove of Titans. Because it’s actually two trees fused together into one, it’s disqualified from making the top list of tallest Redwoods. With a width at nearly 30 feet and a height of almost 160 feet, it would take the cake as one of the largest in the world if it was a singular tree.
How to Find the Grove of Titans
The Grove of Titans are located in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park in northern California. Access to the Grove is fairly simple from the Howland Hill Road via the Mill Creek Trail. Simply park at the pull out near the trailhead to access the Mill Creek Trail. The Grove of Titans are about 0.7 miles northeast from this trailhead.
Read More: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park: Your Top Stop for the Redwoods
Once you reach the Grove of Titans, posted signs warning you to not go off trail is your hint you’ve made it. Follow those signs and don’t go off trail. Come prepared like I did with a tripod and a massive telephoto zoom lens to help you capture the beauty of these trees without harming them.
The Future for the Redwoods Grove of Titans
As of November 6th, 2019, the Grove of Titans and Mill Creek Trail will be shut down until 2021. With the help of the state of California and Redwoods conservation groups, the Grove of the Titans is getting one big face-lift.
Read more here about how the ‘Save the Redwoods‘ group is collaborating to restore and protect the Grove of Titans and how you can help!
In 2021 the area will reopen with an elevated walkway. Signage and brochures will accompany the walk for visitors to learn more about the Grove of Titans. The groups will try and restore the impacted area and also install restrooms and trash bins.
This massive project will allow the Forest Service to monitor and manage the area to help reduce the impact on the land. While you won’t get to experience the Grove of the Titans like I did, you will get to have a more sustainable experience knowing that you aren’t causing any damage to this significant Redwoods environment.
Before heading into the backcountry, it’s imperative that you’re familiar with the “Leave No Trace” principles.
Read More: Leave No Trace: The 7 Rules of the Backcountry
Learn more about Leave No Trace on their website here.
Like This Post? Pin It!
| This post contains affiliate links which means that, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase one of these products I may receive a small commission. This helps me maintain my blog as a free space to you. Check out my Disclaimer for more info.
Shop the Post
