Our Walk Among the Redwoods

 Muir Woods is a protected redwood forest to the north of San Francisco, in Marin County. 

The area, previously known a Redwood Canyon, escaped the loggers’s axe because of its relative inaccessibility and its steep slopes that would have made logging difficult. It was declared a “National Monument” in 1908 by Theodore Roosevelt, who wanted to name it after William Kent, the congressman and philanthropist who purchased the area and then donated it to the federal government, but Kent insisted that it be named after the famous conservationist John Muir.

The most famous—and dominant—trees in Muir Woods are the west coast redwoods, 

but there are plenty of Douglas firs, maples, oaks and other trees growing among them.

The typical walk takes you along a stream, Redwood Creek,

over one of several bridges, and then back on a path on the steep hillside.

Despite the warning  posted on the  visitors' center, no mountain lions or coyotes were ready to attack us. Howeve, our scout's vigilance did help us notice several cute black-striped  chipmunks. 

The hike was just the right lenght for families with children, neither too long nor too short, and it was a wonderful afternoon spent among these majestic trees. And occasionally, to increase our sense of adventure, we were the only humans around--at least in sight.

Muir Woods is open every day from 8 am to sunset. It's accessible from San Francisco via highway 101 and highway 1, and from the East Bay via the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge and then highway 101 and highway 1 (the road is steep and winding as you get near the park). Various San Francisco  tour companies organize tours to Muir Woods, and starting on May 5, 2007 there will also be a shuttle service from Sausalito and Marin City for the summer season.

Various historical events on the  tree-trunk  time line.....

-----