Muir Woods National Monument is located a half hour north of San Francisco in Mill Valley, California. Established in 1908, it is named for conservationist John Muir. I will initially describe this place in one word: REDWOODS.
More park than monument, once you set out on the path, you almost immediately come across your first redwood, welcoming you to its world. These trees are massive, ancient and magnificent, everything you expect them to be. In Muir Woods they can reach impressive heights, with the tallest in the park being about 250 feet. Redwoods have been growing in this area of California for 20 million years, many in Muir Woods are over 1,000 years old. The park’s oldest redwoods are thought to be at least 1,200 years old.
The smooth, boardwalked path that winds among the trees and along Redwood Creek has been beautifully and thoughtfully planned with bridges crossing the creek. There are multiple loops you can take, allowing you to follow the trail for as long or as short a time as you would like.
It was quiet, we humans acting appropriately in such a venerable place. Having been in San Francisco less than an hour before, it felt as if I was days away from the city. And now that it has been a few weeks since I stood in awe before the redwoods, I have to wonder: If no trees fell while I was there, did it really happen?
Sister Rain Note:
When planning a trip to Muir Woods National Monument you must request a permit ahead of time. This is done to control the crowds that understandably flock here. When my husband and I visited in early May it was not terribly busy. We arrived before our reservation and they allowed us to enter right away. I am sure this would not be the case in high season.
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