Calaveras Big Trees State Park in California

Not only is this a beautiful campground nestled in the shade of the mountain redwoods, it is also a historic site. Before we learned to appreciate these trees, and realize that they could not be replaced within our lifetimes, there was a huge logging industry in many of the groves of redwood trees.

These giant trees do provide a very durable wood that is resistant to rot, so redwood is in high demand in the construction industry. As we have finally wised up, many hundreds of acres have now been protected for future generations to enjoy. Redwood trees grow extremely slowly, and the most massive trees that still exist are ancient. Some of the specimens that were cut down in the past were dated to one or two hundred years BCE.

Calaveras Big Trees was an area used for some of this logging, but it was stopped and the are preserved before it could be clear cut and laid waste. Within the park are many fine specimens of these gigantic trees, and also a few sad reminders of the area's past.

The saddest of all are the trees that were cut down merely for the sensationalism they provided. Sections of the trees were in many cases shipped around the country in traveling exhibits. This was completely irresponsible use of the trees, for they had not even served a purpose in providing shelter or infrastructure.

Calaveras Big Trees State Park. The name itself pretty much tells you all you need to know about the sights. Here is a preserved, historic area of giant redwood trees (sequoiadendron giganteum). There are many trails through various groves which not only provide awe-inspiring views of these massive trees, but also history lessons about what the uneducated folks in the past did.

One such sad memorial is the Big Stump, or Discovery Stump. This massive tree was chopped down, and its stump used as a dance floor, complete with a pavillion on top. I can only imagine how much bigger that tree would be today, if only they'd had the foresight to leave it be.

This link goes to a small photo illustrating by comparative objects, the absolutely massive size these trees can reach. (There is no public domain or copyright status listed, so I dare not post it here in the hub and it is very small, as well.) But, it is worth opening the link in a new tab to check out this stunning comparison.

There are two main sections to the park--the North Grove, where the campgrounds are, and the South Grove. The campgrounds are open from April to November, but parts of the North Grove are open in winter for snow play such as sledding, snow-shoeing, and general fun, such as snowball fights. During winter, there is a warming hut open, free of charge. I have to take their word for that--I've never been there in winter--I don't "do" snow.

The North Grove's campground is self-named; 4 miles further into the park is the Oak Hollow campground, which is a bit more rugged and hilly than the North Grove site.

Yes, there is water nearby in the form of the Stanislaus River. It runs through the park boundaries, but not adjacent to any camping area. There are, however, a few hikng trails that will take you do the river, or you can drive a short way up the road from the park proper, to a very popular swimming hole.

Be warned: this water is largely Sierra snowmelt, and is very cold. Unless you are acclimated to such temperatures, or are a highly-active teenager generating your own heat, then ankle-deep-only wading will probably be your limit unless you own a wetsuit.

There is a highway bridge over the river at this point, and parking is available. There is a huge boluder upon which folks like to sit in the sun, or the adventurous use to jump into the hole in the water. It is pretty deep at that point, but as a safety warning, if is not really smart to jump from rocks into rivers if you cannot see to the bottom, which you cannot at this location.

There is no jumping/diving, (or any other water-destination activities) allowed from the bridge.

This park is located in the High Sierra part of North-Central California. It is one of very few remaining areas where the giant Redwoods still survive. The nearest town, should you have forgotten anything, is Arnold, just 4 miles from the park entrance. It is not a huge town, but it is in ski country, so they are tourist-oriented, and boast a supermarket, motels, restaurants, banks, and even a micro-brewery restaurant.

There are many other things to see of a historic nature in the general area.

Columbia, another State Park, preserved in Gold Rush days fashion, is about a 45-minute drive from Big Trees. You can tour a "working" gold-rush days, including watching a blacksmith make horseshoes; or try your hand a panning for gold in a set-up sluice box.

Moaning Caverns is also nearby, (it's actually on the way to Columbia), where you can climb down 180 spiral stairs to the bottom, or take the option to rappel down--keeping in mind you must climb those stairs to return.

In Jamestown, an old town that has been "gussied up," but not overly so, is the historic 1897 Railway Museum. Jamestown is located about 3 miles down Route 108 from Sonora.

( Check out the websites at the links given in the sidebar, and call before you go, to be sure that these parks have not become victims of California's budget chopping block.)

Calaveras County is also home to the famous Jumping Frog of Calaveras County story by Mark Twain.

My daughters and I had the times of our lives when we visited this area, and I have no doubt the fun remains--all you have to do is go for it.