 |
| 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.
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.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
7th September, 2017 Somaseshu Gutala
