Ever see something that reminded you how small you really are? On a recent adventure, we visited the Placer Grove to see the Giant Sequoias, and wow, did we feel tiny! If you’ve never seen them in person, let us paint a picture for you.
Big Trees
Naturalist John Muir nicknamed these majestic Giant Sequoia trees the “Big Trees.” And rightly so.
The Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) are some of the tallest and oldest trees alive. And honestly, you can’t fully appreciate them fully unless you are standing present with them.
The Giant Sequoia are known by other names too: Giant Redwood, Sierra Redwood, Sierran Redwood, and Wellington. As you could probably guess, they are called the Big Trees because, well, they grow really tall and have a very wide diameter. Their average height is between about 165 to 275 feet, and they can grow to be 25 feet in diameter. The tallest tree was measured to be over 310 feet tall. That is roughly as tall a 31 story building! (We’ll pause while that sinks in.)
If you’ve ever heard of these trees, you may be familiar with some of their superlatives. The sequoia tree that you can drive through. The one so big the stump was turned into a dance floor after the tree fell. Or the General Sherman with a tree ring dated to 3500 years old.
The Northernmost Grove: Placer Grove
Recently, we visited the northernmost grove of the Giant Sequoia: the Placer Grove about 25 miles (40 minutes) from Foresthill, California off Mosquito Ridge Road. We are assuming this road was aptly named for the mosquitos which can get pretty thick (note to self: pack bug repellent).
Placer Grove is a small grove of only 6 living Giant Sequoia trees. While it doesn’t have any of the superlatives mentioned above, it is really cool, nonetheless.
The United States Forest Service administers this small grove and you can access it by a short hike. If you’re lucky, there will be interpretive trail maps (pamphlets) available at the start of the trail to guide you to important markers. But don’t count on it. If you’re not feeling lucky, you can visit the American River Ranger District in Foresthill to get a copy of the interpretive guide before you go. Better to be over-prepared than under, right?
Placer Big Trees Trail Guide
Big Trees Trail Guide with lots of information.
The half mile hiking loop takes 30 minutes, unless you’re legs are longer than ours. But honestly, it takes us closer to an hour because we stop often to take pictures and point out things to each other. But hey, that means you get to see all the cool pics, right? In today’s digital world, were we really there if we didn’t selfie in front of it???
The Hike
If you’re up for the hike, start at the trailhead, and follow the marker posts. When you get to the fork in the path, go right. Or go straight and do the loop backwards, if that is your thing.
Your first Big Tree sighting will be a small cluster of 4 trees at signpost 5: The Haig/Lardner Group. This cluster of Big Trees are tall but they still have much growing to do (don’t we all?).
Marker 5: First Big Trees sighting on the loop
You will likely be able to see many cones on the ground here. One of the exceptional features of the Giant Sequoia is its cone and seeds. The cone is small but mighty (kind of like us). It grows up to roughly 3 inches and can have over 200 seeds per cone.
Big Trees small but mighty cone
Fun fact, the Sequoia seeds are released by fire and critters that eat at the cones. Interestingly, the heat from a fire makes the cone dry out and/or shrink and thus creates an opening for the seed to fall to the ground. And if a fire has swept through an area recently then there would be an ash seedbed that provides a nutrient rich soil for the seed. The ash seedbed also protects the seeds from the UV rays that may damage it. It’s like mother nature’s sunblock. Isn’t it cool how these trees have a way to preserve their existence in spite of the flames? We feel there’s a life lesson somewhere in there 😉
Often times you see photo of people who like to hug the trees with outstretched arms, but this really isn’t great for the trees. Because the trees have a shallow root system, walking around the base can actually harm them by compacting their soil and keeping them from getting enough water. So step with caution.
Also, due to their shallow root system, you usually find giant sequoia near streams and water sources. The Placer Grove has a seasonal stream that runs through it. As such, you will go through several areas that are lush and often thick with vegetation.
The Joffre Tree
The Joffrey tree is the next giant sequoia on the path. At over 250 feet, it is the tallest in the grove and measures 10 feet in diameter. Two hundred and fifty feet is like 3,000 Hanks stacked on top of each other. That’s a lot of Hanks.
Like other named trees in the grove, the Joffre Tree is named after a WWI leader. The Joffre Tree is named for the French general, Marshal Joseph Jacques Cesaire Joffre. Millie took French in high school so she can actually pronounce it right. She’s impressive, huh? Oui, Oui!
The log bench at this point in the hike is perfect for sitting and contemplating the beauty and awe of the trees. Or taking pictures. Or visiting with friends Or having a drink from your canteen. See, this is why it takes us longer than 30 minutes to make the half mile loop.
The Pershing Tree
The most impressive Big Tree in the grove is the Pershing Tree. By typical Giant Sequoia standards, it is but a teenager – not in temperament 😉 – measuring over 200 feet tall and 12 feet in diameter. (It would take over 450 Millies holding hands to stretch around it.) The Pershing Tree is noticeable due to its height, distinct reddish color and burn scar.
At the Pershing Tree you will see a fire scar near its base. It’s an excellent example of one of the unique features of the Giant Sequoia. The bark that resists burning. It is a fibrous bark that can be 3 feet thick at its base, and has a resin that makes it resist catching fire. Seriously, how cool is that? A tree that has flame-retardant bark!
This picture is from a hike we did with some of Millie’s former students. See the white area at the base of the tree in the middle. That is a group pf people.
This picture of the Pershing Tree is taken from a cutout of the fallen Roosevelt tree. The Pershing tree is named for U.S. Army General John J. Pershing.
The Roosevelt Tree
The Roosevelt tree is believed to have toppled in a strong windstorm around 1862, due to it shallow root structure. It measures about 200 feet long and 16 feet wide. At marker ____ you can see the roots of the tree.
The fallen Roosevelt Tree
Look how big the roots are. Can you find Hank and Millie in the picture?
Visiting the Big Trees
Bathrooms and piped water are available at the trailhead. Well, they are supposed to be. But be prepared, because we have been there early in the season when the water wasn’t working and the bathrooms had signs on them saying they were closed. Fortunately, we had brought our own water. We won’t talk about the bathroom situation. TMI. Some things are better left unsaid, right?
It makes a nice place for a picnic and day-use tables are available. Overnight camping is prohibited, but French Meadows Reservoir and Robinson Flat Campgrounds are about a 30 minute drive away. It makes a great stop over if you are already headed that direction or if you are looking for a half day outdoor activity. Or if you are needing a little nature fix.
Worton’s Grocery
If you get a chance, stop by Worton’s Grocery store. We popped in there to get a few last minute supplies, and boy, are we glad we did. They are a small local store and super duper friendly. A huge shout out to the staff there who were super kind. When I (Millie) got bit by a bee that flew up my pant leg, they so graciously gave me ice for it.
Worton’s Market in Foresthill
Lastly, take lots of pics, but more importantly take mental snapshots of nature’s awesome giants!
Until the next adventure,
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