The Redwood Loop Trail at Big Basin Redwoods State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains offers a contrasting experience of life, death, and renewal. Despite its challenging past, the 0.63-mile loop presents a mix of devastation and rejuvenation following the CZU Lightning Complex fire of 2020. This fire ravaged 97% of the park, destroying infrastructure and tens of thousands of trees, including the oldest stand of coast redwoods south of San Francisco.
After four years of regrowth and the resilience of nature, visitors now witness a remarkable transformation as new green shoots emerge from once-charred trunks. The park, California’s oldest, has gradually reopened since July 2022, allowing visitors to witness the inspiring regreening process firsthand.
Guided by Will Fourt, a senior park specialist, visitors can explore the park’s diverse trails, including the Redwood Loop Trail, which showcases majestic ancient trees and signs of regrowth. For those seeking a longer trek, a four-mile scenic loop incorporating the Skyline-to-Sea Trail, Meteor Trail, and Middle Ridge Road offers a more extensive hiking experience.
Despite the challenges posed by the fire, the park’s redwoods have shown remarkable resilience, demonstrating their ability to regrow from the base, branches, and even the trunks. The park’s reopening has provided a hopeful glimpse into nature’s ability to rebound and thrive in the face of adversity.
Decades ago, passionate individuals successfully advocated for the protection of an old-growth forest, preventing it from being logged. This forest, home to towering trees over 300 feet tall and centuries-old, faced a devastating wildfire in August 2020, scorching 86,500 acres. The fire caused significant damage, including the loss of a life and destruction of park infrastructure.
Presently, only a fraction of the park’s hiking trails are accessible, with efforts underway to reopen more in the coming months. The park’s iconic landmarks, like the Berry Creek Falls Trail and Sequoia Trail, may take years to fully recover. Despite the visible scars of the fire, signs of regeneration are starting to emerge.
The park’s facilities, including campgrounds and visitor amenities, are gradually being restored, with a comprehensive plan slated for completion in 2025. Visitor numbers have significantly decreased post-fire, with limited parking and basic amenities available. The park management, in collaboration with conservation organizations, is implementing a Forest Management Strategy to restore and maintain the park’s ecosystem through controlled burns.
Although the park may not be the primary destination for visitors at the moment, it still offers beauty and tranquility amidst its recovery process. For those exploring the Santa Cruz area, a visit to Big Basin can provide insight into the resilience of nature. Additionally, nearby attractions such as the city of Santa Cruz, coastal areas, and neighboring state parks offer a diverse range of activities for visitors to enjoy.
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