Posted on 05/27/2021 12:34:26 PM PDT by SJackson
The longest skywalk in the western U.S. will open on June 4.
You'll soon be able to take in California's majestic redwood trees — the tallest in the world — on another level.
On June 4, Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka will debut the Redwood Sky Walk, allowing visitors to wander along a quarter-mile route that's 100 feet off the forest ground. Even with that boost, the upper canopy of trees stretches about 250 feet high, providing a truly immersive sense of being among nature.
The self-guided experience starts at a gateway that leads to a 360-foot-long ramp ascending into a network of nine platforms, each with a different perspective of the forest. The total out-and-back path is about 1,104 feet, making it the longest skywalk in the western U.S.
Before the faint of heart get too nervous, this isn't an adventure course — the platforms and bridges are made out of fabricated aluminium with a Dynaplank surface featuring guardrails constructed from cable and metal mesh for a sturdy and safe experience.
There aren't any stairs, so the experience is ADA accessible. The only exception to that — and the stability — is the "adventure leg" of the walk, a 369-foot-long, three-foot-wide stretch of square open mesh decking, which does have a bit of sway, but allows for an even more seamless way to melt into the forest surroundings. (This section is optional for visitors.)
The $4 million project was built with the health of the redwood trees top of mind. "The technique and mechanics of these attachments have been designed specifically to ensure negligible impact on the trees to which they are anchored and provide room for them to continue to grow unimpeded," the Redwood Sky Walk's site explains. They also caution visitors not to touch the trees in order to minimize human impact on the natural wonders.
One ticket will grant access to both the Sky Walk and Sequoia Park Zoo, the oldest accredited zoo in the Golden State. Admission costs $24.95 for adults ages 13 to 59, $22.95 for those 60 and older, and $12.95 for those two to 12 years old. (Humboldt County residents receive a discount of $10 off adult prices and $2 off child admission.)
Opening weekend will be packed with activities that showcase the possibilities of the Redwood Sky Walk, with a yoga class and forest bathing session up among the trees.
We were in Sequoia last weekend. All the big trees are doing fine. They’ve been doing some prescribed burns over the last few years, and also removing some dead timber. It seems the US Park Svc has finally figured out that prescribed burns are preferable to allowing the dead trees to accumulate and provide fuel for potential big fires.
Nice road trip!
Doug firs were even bigger. Would have loved seeing these beauties. Instead I saw stumps growing up.
“ The tallest known redwood is 379 feet tall. But historical accounts are full of references to Douglas Fir trees 400 feet tall and more. One tree in the lower North Fork of the Nooksack River Valley is thought to have been 465 feet tall, probably the largest known tree ever recorded anywhere on the planet. And it wasn’t alone.
Micah Ewers of Portland writes, “If this was just a freak occurrence, I would write it off. But I’ve collected 90 to 100 reports of 300- to 400-foot Douglas firs. A hundred years ago, trees rivaling the height of the redwoods were fairly common. The whole Puget Sound was just filled with giant trees.”
His research found references to many trees that would be considered world record holders today on the sites of current downtown Seattle and downtown Vancouver in British Columbia.is “
After Calavaras, we’re heading to the coast, then down California One to Hollywood, then back to Louisiana. We were out here two years ago, but I didn’t get enough. At the risk of getting flamed, I think many conservatives have the wrong idea about California. Instead of fleeing, we all should be moving TO California, and make the OTHER bastards move out.
The state is entirely too rich in natural resources and natural beauty to give up without a fight to the death.
Awesome. I would love to experience seeing these beautiful trees from 100 feet up like that instead of only on the ground. What a great opportunity. I would love to do that.
The Capilano suspension bridge is actually quite stable. I was hoping it woujld be a bit more bouncy and fun.
Saw the stupidest thing happen when I was there. Some idiot decided he was going to “cure” his wife’s fear of heights by taking her out on the Capilano bridge. We were out there near the middle, when this idiot came up, leading his wife by the hand and saying “Keep your eyes closed honey. I will tell you when to open them”. He tells her to open her eyes. She clamps down on the cable with both hands and goes completely blank. She had a nervous breakdown right there and then in the middle of the Capilano suspension bridge.
As we were pulling out of the parking out, EMS was pulling in to rescue her. She was still out there in the middle of the bridge, both hands with a death grip on the cable, non-responsive.
I don’t have to guess how that marriage ended up. What an idiot.
Sean Connery didn’t use a bridge in the movie Medicine Man!
“The state is entirely too rich in natural resources and natural beauty to give up without a fight to the death.”
I was born and raised here.
I’ll stay and fight.
I always was amazed that my Dad worked in the CCC camp helping the old Lumberjacks fell the giant Redwoods, spring boards and all. He even wore the neckerchief with the fatigue uniform which had to be the 1940 equivalent of the t-shirt.
Calavaras was a good visit yesterday. It was notable that the California State Park folks (Calavaras, Bodie) were much more friendly than the feds in Yosemite and Sequoia. We stayed at the Murphys Hotel last night and got to eat off real plates with silverware, instead of styrofoam and plastic knives and forks. Progress!
Lots of folks from the bay area are moving up into the Sierra foothills. Lots of traffic, any many new subdivisions in the area.
You were but a few miles from Angles Camp.
The location for The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.
The cabin where Samuel Clemens wrote it is still there.
good thing you’re headed to the coast. The Big Valley will be 105deg tomorrow. Ouch.
Stopped at the McDonald’s in Angels Camp for a bite for breakfast. Quite warm here in Willits now but the coast should be cooler tomorrow. Going to Shelter Cove, one way in and out. I’m a fool for “end of the road” places.
We call that area The Lost Coast.
It’s as remote as anywhere in the continental US.
Hard driving it will be.
Are you towing anything?
Not towing, just a car. Can’t be any tougher driving than yesterday over Ebbetts and Monitor Passes, and Pacific Grade Summit. One has to really pay attention...
I wanted to report on our visit to Shelter Cove. Quite stunning scenery and a nice little community. We enjoyed cooking our own breakfast and dining on our balcony. Restaurant food gets old after a while.
The drive in and out was something. You definitely have to pay attention, but we made it fine. Reminds me of a ‘full pull’ in a tractor pull show.
“The drive in and out was something.”
The Lost Coast.
Isolated.
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