Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is a state park of California, United States, preserving old-growth redwoods along the Smith River. It is located along U.S. Route 199 approximately 9 miles (14 km) east of Crescent City. The park is named after explorer Jedediah Smith, and is one of four parks cooperatively managed as Redwood National and State Parks.[1] The 10,430-acre (4,220 ha) park was established in 1939[2] and designated part of the California Coast Ranges International Biosphere Reserve in 1983.[3]

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Stout Memorial Grove
LocationDel Norte County, California, USA
Nearest cityCrescent City, California
Coordinates41°46′54″N 124°6′2″W
Area10,430 acres (4,220 ha)
Established1939
Governing bodyCalifornia Department of Parks and Recreation

History

The park was named after explorer Jedediah Smith, who was the first American to travel, by land, from the Mississippi River to California in 1826, passing through the area of the future park.[4]

Ecology

The park consists of 9,500 acres (3,800 ha) of redwood trees, including several groves of old growth trees. One of the groves, totaling 5,000 acres (2,000 ha), includes the world's largest (not tallest) coast redwood, which measures 20 feet (6.1 m) in diameter and 340 feet (100 m) tall.[4]

The Smith River, which flows through the park, is home to rainbow trout and salmon, black bears, black-tailed deer, squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons and other mammals.[4]

The Smith River is the last major undammed river in California. Within the park, the river is rather undisturbed and holds the state record for the largest steelhead rainbow trout, weighing over 27 pounds (12 kg).[4]

Recreation

The park consists of 18 miles (29 km) of hiking trails and over 100 campsites.[4] Mill Creek flows through the park and merges with the Smith River near the campground. In the warm season, a seasonal bridge is placed across Mill Creek for easier access to Mill Creek Trail and one end of Hiouchi Trail.

See also

References
  1. "Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park". California State Parks. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  2. "California State Park System Statistical Report: Fiscal Year 2009/10" (PDF). California State Parks: 26. Retrieved 2012-07-03. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. "U.S. Biosphere Reserves" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  4. Sinotte, Barbara (1 June 1996). California: A Guide to the State & National Parks. Hunter Publishing, Inc. ISBN 978-1-55650-733-5.
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