A Hazy Hike in the Lady Bird Johnson Grove of Redwoods

Flying up the northern coast of California through the ever-enchanting Redwoods, I wanted to find a quick stop to see the best of what the area has to offer. And boy did I find it here in the Lady Bird Johnson Grove.

About the Redwood Trees in the Lady Bird Johnson Grove

I kept flashing back to Sequoia National Park during my time here on the Lady Bird Johnson Grove trail. While Giant Sequoias are the largest trees in the world by volume, the Redwoods are the tallest.

In fact, the tallest of all 3 trillion trees on earth is found here in the Redwoods National Park. At 379 feet, the location for the Hyperion Redwood tree has been hidden from the public since its discovery in 2006.

Depending on the time of year, the colors of the vegetation on the Lady Bird Johnson Grove change with the seasons. In the spring, rhododendrons (which is actually Nepal’s national flower) and azaleas decorate the forest grounds. During the fall months, the bold colors of the vines and large maple leaves are displayed throughout the area.

I’ve hiked this trail in both August and October where I could see the contrast between the stark greens of summer and the yellow tints of fall.

Be sure to check the alerts page here for any updated information on trails and roads in this area!

Finding the Lady Bird Johnson Grove

After sleeping in the back of the SUV, I awake to a foggy mess outside. The haze is so dense I can’t even see five feet in front of my vehicle. Wanting to stick to my original itinerary, I keep trucking up Highway 101 to find a worthy Redwoods spot.

I had no idea the Redwoods were more than just the area on Google Maps that reads “Redwood National and State Parks.” After leaving the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center heading north on 101, I take the third right down Bald Hills Road. Winding through the dense clouds and into the National Forest area, I find a parking area 2.5 miles in for the Lady Bird Johnson Grove.

Entering the Lady Bird Johnson Grove

Getting out of the car and looking around, I see the faint image of a bridge through the fog. Climbing up the path, the humongous Redwoods start splitting the dense haze right in half. As I walk up to the center of it, teeny little rays of sunshine begin peeking through.

It all felt like a fairytale, like I was Snow White trying to find my cabin in the woods or something. I’ve never seen such a magical forested area before and I could immediately begin to see why the Redwoods are ever-so-popular.

Hiking the Lady Bird Johnson Grove

Distance: 1.5 Miles

Type: Loop

Elevation Gain: +101 Feet

Crossing over the bridge and into the lushness of the forest, the beauty of this place really begins to take hold. The haziness adds to the epic nature of the Redwoods. Despite my initial disappointment of waking up to the fog, it actually turns out to be the most perfect condition to shoot the Redwoods in.

A small box at the trailhead offers visitors a brochure that corresponds with the marked postings along the trail. To know more about what you’re viewing, consider paying the $1 donation to learn the significances of this Redwood grove.

Within minutes of walking, the stunning century-old trees start to dominate the sky. It’s truly hard to fathom that these giants are still alive and growing. After a 1.4 mile loop, I find myself back at the bridge to cross over, dreaming about this magical moment for months to come.

Before heading out on trails, 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.

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