Hiking: Big Basin, CA

During January I was able to do a bit of hiking up in one of my favorite areas, the Big Basin State Park just outside of Boulder Creek, California. Big Basin is an awesome place to hike and has so many things to offer anyone who enjoys the outdoors. From hiking and backpacking to horseback riding and mountain biking it is able to appease any active junky.

Big Basin launched the state park movement when the 18,000 acres of coastal redwoods was made into the first state park in 1902 by photographer Andrew P. Hill and other members of the Sempervirens Club(fund). Big Basin consists of 80 miles of spectacular roads and trails for year round activities.

Being a tad bit out of my normal hiking shape because I don't get much hiking time during the winters since I moved to Wisconsin, I decided to take the popular moderate Sequoia Trail. Sequoia is one of the oldest trails in the park and is filled with many spectacular sites: Founders Monument, Semperviren Falls, Slippery Rock and the famous Chimney Tree. The trail is 3.5-5.5 miles of easy to moderate hiking and surrounded by native trees and plant life (some of the trees measure 300 feet and 50 feet in circumference). The Hike takes anywhere from 1 1/2 to 4 hours and there are many places to rest and even camp along the trail.

Whether you are hiking the smaller trails like Sequoia or traveling the 33-miles to the coast on Skyline to the Sea Trail, Big Basin is a great experience for any hiker of any skill level. Just another great way to Get Up and Get Out. For more information on Big Basin check out: www.parks.ca.gov or www.bigbasin.org

"These trees, because of their size and antiquity, were among the natural wonders of the world and should be saved for posterity." -Andrew P. Hill (1899)

-Mary-Ann (Macaroon)