A Visit to Muir Woods

               

                 

Wooden bridge across the Redwood Creek

Vegetation on the ground

   

Dedication Plaque at Cathedral Grove in memory of President Roosevelt

                                     

Our last leg of journey is to Muir Woods located near Mt. Tamalpais of Pacific Coast in South Western Marin County, Northwest of California. This park is very famous for the oldest and tallest surviving redwood trees and for other flora and fauna. The coast redwood is related to the giant Sequoia of Nevada region and grows up to 380 feet. The tallest tree in the Muir Woods is 258 feet. Most of the redwood trees are between 500 and 800 years of age. The oldest tree in this park is 1200 years old. Under the broad shade of these trees plants like ferns, bay laurels and big leaf maples grow which require moderate sunlight. The seeds of red wood are enclosed in a hard cone out of which they are scattered around on the wet soil to germinate again.

 Muir Woods Park is managed by the National Park Service. Once a few hundred years ago these trees were found in two million acres of land spread all over Pacific Coast in Coastal California and the south western corner of coastal Oregon. Man’s indiscriminate cutting and destruction of trees reduced the area of these trees to mere 1, 50,000 acres out of which 50% is now protected by national and state parks. As the red wood has a natural insect and rot resistant chemical substance inside its pores it was widely for house construction and as lumber. Now use of redwood for construction purposes is not permitted. In this park spreading over 554 acres, nearly 240 acres of redwood trees are protected. As it is near Pacific Ocean the wet environment with floating damp vapors motivates vigorous plant growth. The fog provides nearly 25 to 50 percent of moisture needed for redwood trees and plants .The brown sandy soil is congenial for growth of redwood trees.

Redwood seeds enclosed in cones

Wooden bear figures near the Cafe

Wooden sculpture of John Muir

Kent Memorial on Muir Woods

           

Redwood Creek flowing through Muir Woods

             

Fern Creek Trail

 Fascinated by the majestic growth of these trees William Kent (1864-1928) , a member of American Congress and member of Tamalpais Sportman’s Association, purchased 611 acres of land out of which he donated 211 acres in order to protect these trees when a water company planned to dam the redwood creek which may result in flooding of the valley. On Jan.9, 1908 the American President Theodore Roosevelt declared the land as National Monument. As per the wishes of William Kent this park was named after John Muir whose campaigns helped to establish the national park system. As a member of Congress Kent introduced legislation in 1916 that created the national park service to look after parks without being destroyed and encroached. In December 1928 the Kent Memorial was erected at the Kent Tree (a 280-foot high Douglas fir tree) in Fern Canyon. This tree fell down later in March 2003.On May 19^th 1945 the U.N.O. delegates from fifty countries came to California to sign the United Nations Charter. They held a commemorative ceremony in Muir woods cathedral cave where a dedication plaque was placed in honor of the President Roosevelt.

 As the park has limited parking space one has to reach this place before 9.00 p.m. otherwise one can avail shuttle services to and fro after parking the vehicles nearby. We started late and hence we went by shuttle to Muir Woods. Near the entrance there is a Visitor Center where one can get much information about the redwood trees and their conservation. There are many exhibits on redwood ecology and a store selling books and gift items. The rustic log gate at the entrance was re-construction of the original in 1934. The weather was very dry and hot. We hurried inside to feel the cool shade of the tall redwood trees with bulky scarred trunks and branches stretched far and wide.


 We proceeded straight to Muir Woods Trading Company café and gift shop to quench our hunger and thirst. The ladies in our team came full prepared with refreshments and bottled water. Many other people were also seen eating and drinking on wooden benches and tables in a leisurely manner. In the Store also many delicacies, cool drinks and ice cream are sold. In Muir woods all constructions made of wood give out a simple and rustic outlook. At the entrance of the café and store many tall figures of bears made of redwood are erected along with a life-like wooden statue of John Muir, who dedicated his life for preservation of parks and nature. We went inside to see various souvenirs and gift items, all made of redwood. The skills of woodcraft are prominently displayed even in small items like key chains, toys, trays, clips, beads and figurines. Many picture cards and photos are also kept for sale. But we felt the prices are quite high. Even a moderate sized bear figure costs nearly 80 dollars. If these things are sold at moderate prices, many people will come forward to buy these items and keep them as tokens of their memorable journey to this place or give them as gifts to their near and dear.

 Later we walked through woods along the Main Trail Loop covering a distance of two miles just beside the red Creek Stream.  This stream starts from Mt. Tamalpais and flows through Muir woods and down Frank Valley and joins the Pacific Ocean at Muir Beach. The creek’s water sustains a wide variety of plants and animals in the redwood forest and in wet lands. This is a very easy trail suitable for people of all ages and the path is paved and boarded without any uneven ground. For disabled people can come on wheel chairs or use strollers. One can shorten one’s walk by crossing the bridges spanning the red creek stream and going back. Many children and even adults will love to watch the Coho Salmon fish and Steelhead trout in the shallow waters of the creek. One can see many types of ferns, sorrel plants, broad leaved maple trees and dense green laurels. On the branches are seen chirping chipmunks, spotted owls and bats. The fluttering butterflies, dragon flies and various types of lady bugs are seen all around adding life and color to the woody surroundings. As it was broad daylight we could not see the nocturnal animals like deer, foxes and raccoons. To relax many benches are erected throughout the trail. For trekkers this is a very suitable place as there are many Nature trails varying in distance and in the level of difficulty. If you cross the fourth bridge and walk uphill and turn left to the Hillside Trail, you can have a full view of the forest. As our group has many children and elderly people we did not walk along longer and uphill trails. We just sat on the benches and watched the green canopy of leaves and distant hills filled up to the core with dense greenery with sloping ups and downs. The cries of playing children near the creek added mirth to our relaxing state.

To maintain the purity and ecological safety of these woods, the national Park Service has taken many measures and laid down regulations. The Park is open from 8.00 a.m. to8.00 p.m in summer and only up to 5.00 p.m. in other seasons. No partying and picnicking are allowed here. No pets are allowed at this place. No camping or lodging facility is available here. One can avail this facility in the adjacent Mt. Tamalpais State Park. One should not take away any specimens and stones from this place. Bicycles are allowed only on designated roads. No smoking and no loud noise are allowed. One should walk only on specified trails following the directions given on sign boards. One should not touch leaves of stinging nettle and poison oak. Weddings, commercial filming and special events should not be held here without prior permission.

 On the occasion of the centenary year of this park, Muir Woods was listed in the National register of Historic Places in January, 2008. The National Park Service has taken all necessary measures to preserve this rare gigantic tree park along with the historic buildings, trails, bridges and monuments of Muir Woods. The tall majestic trees on either side looked like beautiful stone columns supporting the green canopy of leaves above. We returned by shuttle with a sense of satisfaction of seeing  the tallest trees of Nature which are protected from destruction by a noble person like William Kent whose efforts led to the establishment of this historic park.

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 7th September, 2017                                   Somaseshu Gutala