Ladybird Johnson Grove – Redwood Coast Trip

The Ladybird Johnson Grove  is a fantastic little interpretive trail within old growth redwoods. I thought it was part of the Prairie Creek Redwoods, but looking at the maps it may actually be part of Redwood National And State Park. The Redwoods are kind of strange and confusing that way. They are comprised of multiple areas that are either state, national, both, or even private sections. Still fun to explore though.

It is just NE of Orick California. 2.5 miles east of the main HW 101 on Bald Hills rd. I just noticed it on one of the various maps we had and after hitting Elk Meadow decided to shoot for it. The signage was adequate so it should be fairly easy to find.

The main trail is an easy 1.5 miles loop. There are a couple trails that split off of it though if you have more time to explore.

The little road wasn’t too bad. At least there are 2 lanes! Definitely not as bad as the road to Drift Creek Falls in Northern Oregon.

It is about 2.5 miles (from HW 101). to the trail head parking lot.

I love this bridge back over the road. It’s pretty simple, but it is pretty.

The trail offers an interpretive guide that tells you some interesting things about it. I am kicking myself for not paying to keep one as I had hoped I could find it online. Unfortunately, I cannot.

Amazing path amongst these old giants.

Yup I am a tree hugger.

I normally prefer landscape, rather than portrait. However, trying to catch these magnificent trees requires portrait. And even then, I may not get the whole tree. Honestly the size is really hard to portray, and is probably best viewed in person.

This tree is an exceptional example of the redwoods extraordinary ability to survive. It was in a fire, which burned out a lot of the central trunk, quite a ways up, and is still alive.

The tree across the path survived less scarred.

Another large one.

Hrm, what is back here.

Another charred out tree.

More bigguns.

Even without the giant trees drawing our eyes and heads up, it is a lovely path through the woods.

Redwood amongst normal sized trees.

 

A redwood never really dies, well maybe not never (pretty sure the logging did away with a ton of them), but often it starts anew with family trees.

Giant trunks.

Looking up.

I just like the sunlight filtering through.

 

More big trees.

Another burnt out tree.

Apparently not as successful as the other one.

Looking outwards.

Looking up.

Deeper in the woods. About this point Landis had to remind me how late it was getting, and how far back we had to drive. Crap. I thought it wouldn’t take us very long to do 1.5 miles. I didn’t factor in just how amazing it would be in here and that we would take our sweet time. Okay, trying to pick up the pace a bit.

I just can not get enough of the forests here. Just amazing!

 

Plaque located about midway. I like her quote:

 

“One of my most unforgettable memories of the past years is walking through the Redwoods last November – seeing the lovely shafts of light filtering through the trees so far above, feeling the majesty and silence of that forest, and watching a salmon rise in one of those swift streams – all our problems seemed to fall into perspective and I think every one of us walked out more serene and happier.”

- Lady Bird Johnson
July 30, 1969

Yup. I feel the same way.

It is so beautiful in here.

Trees, trees, trees. I really like this amazing trail.

Another giant specimen.

 

Giants and ferns.

Another hollowed one.

Ferns and trees.

Another burnt one with gnarly knots. There obviously was a pretty devastating fire here at some point, and these amazing trees survived.

Big trees.

Looking up.

For the most part the trail has been very easy with not much up and downs.

More fire damage.

Panoramic of some tall trees.

Really lovely trail.

Another stump creating new life.

I liked these tall guys.

Some more shots of the beautiful forest.

This tree looks twisted.

Back to the bridge.

The view uphill is pretty.

Van parked next to a tall tree.

Sunlight coming through the trees.

Crap, it will probably be dark before we make it back to our room, but it was worth it. I am really happy we did this trail.

Terrible shot of the bridge as we pass underneath. (DBP Album).

Another shot of Bald Hills Rd.

Fantastic loop trail through an ancient grove of big trees. at only 1.5 miles it sure didn’t take long, and we didn’t run into many people either. For the true serenity of nature, and the informative trail, combined with the lack of people, I am giving it a perfect 10.

As for difficulty, it was pretty even flat trail with a few very gradual ups and downs. I am going with a DR2.

Dogs: No. Dogs are allowed in the redwoods on leashes, and confined to tents or vehicles at night, but are not welcome on the trails.

Continue onto our Redwood Coast adventure here.