Avenue of the Giants

Infobox road
state=CA
type=SR
route=254
alternate_name=Avenue of the Giants
section=554
maint=Caltrans

---

length_mi=31.595
length_round=3
length_ref=
direction_a=South
terminus_a=jct|state=CA|US|101 near Phillipsville
direction_b=North
terminus_b=jct|state=CA|US|101 near Stafford
previous_type=SR
previous_route=253
next_type=SR
next_route=255The Avenue of the Giants is a scenic highway in the U.S. state of California, running through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. It is an old alignment of U.S. Route 101, and continues to be maintained by the state as State Route 254.

Route description

The southern entrance to the Avenue is just north of Garberville, and the northern entrance is south of Fortuna. The highway is notable for the Coast Redwoods that overshadow the road and surround the area. It is from these towering trees that the Avenue of the Giants takes its name. The road winds alongside the scenic Eel River, and connects several small towns such as Phillipsville, Miranda, Myers Flat, Burlington, Weott, Englewood, Redcrest and Pepperwood. The two-lane road has a number of parking areas, picnic sites, and attractions for visitors. The nearby river provides many excellent swimming locations, such as those at the Rockefeller forest Redwood grove.

History

The Avenue of the Giants was once part of U.S. Route 101 until a freeway bypass was built, the bypass became what is now 101. It was named by "Assembly Concurrent Resolution 10" in 1960.

ightseeing

While there are several campgrounds, and bicyclists and ramblers are often visible by the side of the road, it is by car that most people view the Avenue.

Points of interest

Being situated just off a major highway, and having attained some degree of international fame, the Avenue has many attractions for visitors - both natural and man-made.

Immortal Tree

Though not the oldest redwood in the forest, this large tree is over 950 years old, and is currently around convert|250|ft|m|abbr=on tall, though originally it was much taller. It has survived not only the ravages of time but also the 1964 flood of the area, a 1908 attempt at logging, and a direct lightning strike which removed the top convert|45|ft|m of the tree (making its original height close to 300ft). It is from its age and the perceived hardiness to the fates that the tree derives its name. Markers are visible on the tree, denoting the heights of where the loggers' axes and the floodwaters struck the tree.

Situated in the northern half of the Avenue The Immortal Tree is easy to find, and has a large gift shop and parking area in front of it.

Founder's Grove

Right near Weott, this grove has an easy 1/2 mile self-guided walk with informational booklets available at the beginning of the trail. This well-travelled trail is a good example of old-growth redwood forest and contains a few very big trees, including the Founder's tree (346 ft. tall) and the Dyerville Giant (~370 ft. tall) which fell down in 1991.

Drive Through Tree

Like many redwood forests, the Avenue features a tree that visitors can drive through. The hollow base of the giant tree has had an opening carved either side that allows a car to travel through, much like a traditional road tunnel.

Located off the main road of the Avenue, this attraction is well sign-posted when driving south to north (but not as well for the reverse), and has a small town around it that caters to tourists on the Avenue. I have been there too.

Tree House

Not a traditional tree house, this is actually a house that is, albeit partially, built within a giant redwood.

Visible from the road, and with tours available, the front of this house is entered through the hollow trunk of a still living tree. The front door and windows are clearly visible to passers by, and the rest of the house adjoins the rear of the tree in a more traditional style.

Eel River

The Eel River is the third largest river in California. It carves deep canyons down great mountains, through flat valleys, and past majestic and ancient redwood forests. The Avenue of the Giants follows the South Fork of the river, but also features the branching of the South and Main forks to its north.

Major intersections

:"Note: Except where prefixed with a letter, postmiles were measured in 1964, based on the alignment as it existed at that time, and do not necessarily reflect current mileage."The entire route is in Humboldt County.

ee also

*Humboldt Redwoods State Park
*Eel River
*Coast Redwood

References

External links

* [http://theshiva.us/travelblog/archive/2007/05/09/myers-flat-drive-through-tree-ca-tourist-attraction.aspx Drive Through Tree on the Avenue of Giants]
* [http://gregvanderlaan.com/aog.aspx Photos of the Avenue]