Redwood National Park: California at its Wildest

Traveling the California coastline high above the Pacific and sometimes almost dipping into it, past lagoons, lighthouses, deserted beaches strewn with driftwood, glimpsed while negotiating hairpin turns, zigzagging for miles to the southern reaches of Oregon, this is California at its wildest and its most beautiful. Standing proudly amid the eroded headlands and the vast sea is a forest, a dense and ancient forest, with trees that were standing when the Roman Empire was falling some 1,500 years ago. We know this magical forest as Redwood National Park. Comprising over 40 miles of unspoiled coastline, this national park combines with the efforts of California state parks to protect over 38,000 acres of irreplaceable forest. Here, these giant sons of Mother Earth, the coastal redwoods rise majestically from a cushion of delicate ferns. At 368 feet, this is among the world's tallest trees. These huge trees are evergreens and require water, lots of water. In winter, they soak up the heavy rains. In summer, they're kept moist by thick fogs. Before becoming a park, 90% of the original Redwood trees had been destroyed. Protection by state and federal law marks the salvation of this noble forest. A popular park highlight is a rigorous hike to secluded Tall Trees Grove. In this grove, one of the redwoods was believed to be the tallest in the world. Now, scientists say the tallest tree is hidden away in the redwood forest. The terrain there is often impassable. To protect the hikers and the tree, the location remains a secret. Logging in the area is commemorated by these gigantic fiberglass figures, the mythical lumberjack, Paul Bunyan, and his ox, Babe. The lush growth of ferns cushioning the ground, hearkening back to the Jurassic age. Moviegoers will remember it from "Jurassic Park" and "Star Wars". Here in Fern Canyon, follow a modest creek through these narrows, 50 to 80 feet high. Moisture loving plants and mosses cling to the sides of the walls, including five different species of ferns. Divided by Highway 1, we find Elk Prairie tucked away into an ancient forest. It's home to Roosevelt elk, the largest species in North America. Today, Redwood National Park is a welcome getaway for hikers, birdwatchers and campers, and for those who simply want to contemplate the wonders of nature. Nearly 4 billion hectares of forest cover the Earth's surface. Forests are essential to life, and no forests in the world are more revered and protected than those growing in the United States national parks.