Looking up to Giants

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is a section of the larger Redwoods National Park known for its old-growth redwood groves. It is located about 14 miles from Crescent City in the northern part of the park. The park is named after Jedediah Smith, an explorer who, in 1826, became the first American to travel overland from the Mississippi River to California, passing through the region that would later become this park.

One summer afternoon, we set off on a hike down Howland Hill Road, which is closed to cars. As we walked, I struggled to capture the immense wonder, size, and age of the redwood trees. About halfway down a small hill, I came across three massive redwoods, towering over 200 feet and with trunks at least 14 feet in diameter. I took this photograph looking straight up, capturing the rough, thick bark at the base of the image, contrasting with the vibrant green canopy reaching towards the sky. It was a perfect representation of the awe-inspiring nature of these ancient trees.