Big Basin

Tiger Lilies at the Bridge

Skyline-to the-Sea Trail

Big Basin State Park

"Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." -Luke 12:27

(This is another in the series--""Benches and Other Great Places for Lunch"--short hikes to special places just right for a quiet getaway.

Directions: Take Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) south to Highway 9 at Saratoga Gap, Drive six miles west on Highway 9 to Highway 236. Continue west on Highway 236 for about 8.5 miles to park headquarters. Enter at the kiosk across from the general store, and drive to the picnic areas along North Escape Road. Park in the picnic area.

Grade: Easy.

Distance: Three miles.

Time: Two to three hours.

Special Conditions: You can reach the bridge by a paved service road or on the single-track Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail. The road is especially good for children on bikes and trikes. Dogs are not allowed on park trails. For information, call park headquarters at 650-968-4509.

As the oldest park in our state park system (established in 1902), Big Basin is a model of how a few people can unite to turn the tide of history. The Sempervirons Club (taking their name from the coast redwood tree--Sequoia sempervirens) launched a campaign in 1900 to purchase this area from logging interests and set it aside as a park for the people of California. Gov. Gage signed a bill creating the 3,800-acre California Redwood Park in 1902. The park was renamed Big Basin Redwoods State Park in 1927 when the state park system was formed.

Today the park stands at 19,000 acres and features a wonderfully diverse terrain with beautiful waterfalls, ancient redwood trees, and nearly 100 miles of established trails.

Our past walks have featured the 27-mile Skyline (from Skyline Boulevard) to the Sea (Waddell Beach) Trail, the hike to Berry Creek Falls and the upper cascades, and the classic 22-mile loop from the beach to Middle Ridge via Sunset Trail, and the Howard King Trail. This week we add to our Big Basin favorites a short three-mile hike into the headwaters of Opal Creek.

At the headquarters, park in one of the picnic areas along North Escape Road, on the east side of Opal Creek. If you have children on bikes or trikes, stay on the road, continuing past the vehicle barrier. If you are on foot, cross over the creek at the wooden bridge and hike along the west side of the creek on the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail. The footpath is quite level as it moves around the giant redwoods along the creekside. If the sunlight is just right, you will see the creek with a distinctive cloudy blue-green, opal glow.

Along the trail you will pass by the old Maddock cabin site. A plaque marks the spot, and a kiosk describes the history of the Maddock clan as they lived and labored along Opal Creek. Two nice benches are available for your picnicking pleasure. Continue on along the trail, and in about a mile you will cross a service road and find another kiosk with a pcinic table nearby.

This is a fine place for your picnic destination. The service road on the east side of the creek also leads to this location. When we hiked through this area in mid-July, we found clumps of beautiful tiger lilies growing at the streamside just beyond the large culvert bridge over Opal Creek. This is a glorious display of a lily once common in these mountains. The plant features gorgeous orange flowers that nod at the end of a large stem.

Reading in my plant guide, "Plants of the Coast Redwood Region," I find that there is an interesting legend surrounding this plant. It seems that the tiger lily was created by a Korean hermit who removed an arrow from a tiger. The two became friends, and when the tiger died, the hermit transformed his body into a lily to preserve their friendship. Later, the hermit drowned, and the tiger lily spread down the stream looking for his lost friend. This beautiful plant is now rather uncommon since over the years admirers have removed it for replanting at home, so look and enjoy, but don't touch. Remember that there are strict laws against removing any plants from the park.

If you have time, you will enjoy hiking farther up another mile or so into the canyon. Just stay on the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail until it makes a sharp horseshoe loop and starts climbing up the hillside. This canyon shows off the redwood forest at its best.

Your comments and hiking suggestions are always welcome.

E-mail to: trekertom@aol.com.

Footnote: Check out the Weekly Walker Web site at www.weeklywalker.com.

| Home | - | Featured Walk | - | By Interest | - | By Location | - | "Foot" notes | - | Links |

______________________________________________________________________________________