Top 4 Natural Monuments around Weott

Big Trees is probably the most popular place within Humboldt Redwoods State Park, and with good reason, as it is home to "Giant Tree" once recognized as the tallest of the Coastal Redwoods. From here you can take a number of trails to fit you schedule, ability, and fitness level. Anything from a quick 5 minute top to 20+ mile overnight trips can be had from here.

The Founders Tree Coast Redwood stands in Founders Grove, not far from Avenue of the Giants, and marks a worthwhile story. There is 1.3 miles of trail, but the main attraction is located near the parking lot. The nature of the area makes the word hiking more appropriate than hiking. The place is quite crowded in July and August but has its charm that makes it difficult to miss this time of year. The circular hiking trail requires your attention so that you don't leave it. But absolutely worth it because you are surrounded by giant trees. Fallen trees give you a sense of dimension, from root to top.

One of the most iconic and enduring hallmarks of American street kitsch is the drive-thru tree - only possible with the massive scale of California's redwoods. Of two known tree tunnels in Central California, the one in Tuolumne Grove is through a dead tree, and the Wawona tree in Yosemite fell in 1969. However, there are three drive-through redwoods still going strong on California's Redwood Coast, all of which are operated as tourist attractions.

Chandler Grove is a small hillside sequoia grove on the northern Avenue of the Giants. A short loop path circles through the grove. The grove has a large parking lot. Most of the grove is on a plain "bank" elevated a few meters above the water table of the Eel River; Typically, for such elevated sites, the relative lack of water means that there are no large trees. Still, the grove appears to be unlogged and has many small redwoods growing among ferns and redwood sorrel. An unofficial side trail leads to a small gleam next to the Avenue of the Giants, where a stream runs through an attractive collection of larger redwoods. Directly across the avenue, the High Rock Trail is much more spectacular, but it rarely gets any visitors because it is not visible from the street.

I saw all the "Defend the constitution" signs and NRA stickers inside the toll booth and thought "Meh, I'll pass." I'm not convinced that cutting a tunnel through a giant redwood tree for their profit and our amusement is a good idea.

Definitely do the Founders Tree Loup!

One of the most iconic and enduring hallmarks of American roadside kitsch is the drive-thru tree — only possible with the massive scale of California's redwoods. Of two previously known tree tunnels in Central California, the one in Tuolumne Grove is through a dead tree, and the Wawona tree in Yosemite fell in 1969. However, there are three drive-through redwoods still on California's Redwood Coast, all of which are operated as tourist attractions. This particular tourist trap is an essentially dead and mostly broken-off redwood tree whose demise probably was accelerated by the cutting or enlargement of a large hole through its trunk and the continuous parade of cars and people stomping on its sensitive root system.

Interesting loop through Chandler Grove, about 10 min