The year was 1852 and Augustus T. Dowd was tracking a grizzly bear that he had wounded. As he walked through the unfamiliar forest he was stunned to find a tree larger than any he had ever seen. He returned to his mining camp and told his tale. After a fair amount of ridicule he was able to convince others to come to the giant trees that he had found. One hundred and fifty years later you too can visit the grove of trees that Dowd discovered.
For those of you who might be reading this blog for the first time, our family likes to track down giant trees. It was a hike to Merced Grove in Yosemite National Park that we sparked the idea of creating Educational Expeditions. This was a follow up visit to continue our exploration of sequoia groves and development into amateur botanists.
The North Grove Trail: Distance and Trail Conditions
While in Calaveras Big Tree State Park, we hiked the gentle 1.5 mile North Grove trail. This trail has minimal elevation gain and is perfect for families with young children. In fact if you are in the process of calibrating the hiking capabilities of your kids, this is a near perfect starting point (click here for a tutorial on setting realistic expectations when hiking with kids).
The trail begins at the parking area. For $0.50 you can pick up a booklet that identifies a number of trees by name and provides an excellent orientation to the sights you will see along the way including illustrations of other trees such as sugar pine, incense cedar, and dogwood. Alternatively, you can order this guide by mail from the Calaveras Big Trees Association.
After a short walk from the parking lot, you will find The Big Stump. This is the remains of that first tree that Dowd discovered. Unfortunately, there are a couple of examples along the North Grove Trail where a complete lack of foresight by our ancestors resulted in the destruction of truly amazing specimens. The big stump is the first.
The conditions of the North Grove trail are excellent. If you have a jogging stroller, you should have no trouble getting around.
Go here for an overview of other trails in the park.
Action Scenery:
Whenever you select a hike for kids, you want to orient them to the local action scenery. Action scenery can include waterfalls, wildlife, or other points of interest. Unfortunately, trees don't move nearly as much as waterfalls. Luckily, since each of the trail notes on the $0.50 park guide are clearly numbered along the way, younger children will have fun racing ahead to find the next sequentially marked sign.
Getting There:
From SF Bay Area
Take I-580 eastbound over Altamont Pass to I-205 toward Manteca, to US 99 North. Take the exit for State Hwy 4 Eastbound (Angel's Camp) to the Park Entrance. Hwy 4 makes a jog to the right in Angel's Camp along State Hwy 49, then jogs left just before leaving town. Calaveras Big Trees is about 35 minutes driving from Angel's Camp.
From Southern California
Take either I-5 or US 99 North. From I-5 you can cross to the other side of Stockton on State Hwy 4 to 99/4 South a few miles, then follow Hwy 4 towards and beyond Farmington to the Park. Hwy 4 makes a jog right in Angel's Camp, then jogs left just before leaving town. Calaveras Big Trees is about 35 minutes driving time from Angel's Camp.
From Sacramento
Take US 99 South to Stockton, turning off onto State Hwy 4 towards and beyond Farmington to the Park (through Angel's Camp). Driving time to the Park from Stockton is approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes. An alternate route is to take State Hwy 16 southeast to State Hwy 49 South through the goldrush towns to Angel's Camp, making a left turn on the far side of town on State Hwy 4 to the Park. Driving time from Angel's Camp is approximately 35 minutes.
From Nevada
Take US 395 to State Hwy 89 West to the terminus of State Hwy 4, up over Ebbett's Pass to the Park. The road is closed in Winter. It's very scenic, but so steep and tortuous that trailers and large motorhomes are ill-advised to use it.
Reference: Calaveras Big Tree State Park website.