"Big Basin Redwoods" Boulder Creek by gubbi1

Close to Boulder Creek you will find the Big Basin Redwoods Park where you can hike on long trails through a forest of Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens). These trees are the highest growing trees in the world. It is really impressive how tall and what a diameter these trees can have. For somebody, who likes nature, this is a must.

When planning to hike, prepare that in the forest it is cooler than outside in the sun. Some trails lead up onto the hills where you will face the sun and it will immediately be warm. Therefore I propose the layering method, put some light clothes and a sweater above. So you will be prepared.

Entering the park, you will drive to the headquarter, where you will have to pay for the parking and where you can buy a map showing the different trails in the park. You will see that there is a good network of paths, so you can set up a hike perfectly for your condition. At the headquarter have a look at the huge tree some meters left of the counter and the tree slice showing the age rings on the right side of the counter. You will imagine how long the trees are already standing there, and have a big respect to these fragile giants.

Water fall, Big Basin Redwoods Park

One possibility for a hike is a trail loop to the waterfalls, Golden Cascade and Silver Falls which are part of the West Berry Creek. This path is quite long to walk, so if you are not used to hike so much, take a day for it.
I found it important to bring water and food with me. Also as stated above, due to the wind and shadow, it can get a little fresh from time to time. Therefore some sweater or thin jacket can be a help.
Our hike followed the Skyline-to-the-sea-Trail to the Berry Creek. From here we followed the Berry Creek Falls Trail towards the north and then returned on the Sunset Trail towards the headquarter.

Large tree at headquarter, Big Basin Redwoods Park

Information on the park you can get by checking out pages on the internet like the following:
Official page from State of California
Another good site

Wikipedia about Sequoia

• Pros:Impressive trees, impressive forest, impressive nature!