Avenue of the Giants

Route description

The Avenue's southern terminus is at US 101 near Phillipsville, north of Garberville. Its northern terminus is at US 101 near Stafford, 15 mi south of Fortuna. The road parallels the scenic Eel River, and connects the small towns Phillipsville, Miranda, Myers Flat, Weott, Englewood, Redcrest and Pepperwood. The two-lane road has a number of parking areas, campgrounds, picnic sites, and attractions for visitors. The nearby river provides many swimming locations, such as those at the Rockefeller Forest redwood grove.

The route contains the site of the annual "Avenue of the Giants Marathon".

SR 254 is not part of the National Highway System, a network of highways that are considered essential to the country's economy, defense, and mobility by the Federal Highway Administration. SR 254 is eligible to be included in the State Scenic Highway System, but it is not officially designated as a scenic highway by the California Department of Transportation.

Immortal Tree

Though not the oldest redwood in the forest, this large tree is at age millennium, and is currently around 250 ft tall, though originally it was much taller. It has survived not only the ravages of time but also a 1908 attempt at logging, the 1964 flood of the area, and a direct lightning strike which removed the top 45 ft of the tree (making its original height close to 300 ft). It is from its age and perceived hardiness 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.

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

Founder's Grove

Near Weott, this grove has an easy half-mile self-guided walk with informational booklets available at the beginning of the trail. The well-travelled trail is a good example of old-growth redwood forest and contains a few very large trees, including the Founder's Tree (346.1. ft. tall) and the Dyerville Giant (c. 370 ft. tall), which fell in 1991.

Drive-Through Tree

Avenue of the Giants features a tree that visitors can drive through. Shrine Drive-Thru Tree is near the town of Myers Flat. It is privately held; the owner charges $15 or more for a car to drive through it.

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 the house is entered through the hollow trunk of a still-living tree. The front door and windows are clearly visible to passersby, and the rest of the house adjoins the rear of the tree in a more traditional style.

Eel River and South Fork

Main article: South Fork Eel River

The Eel River is the third largest river in California. It carves deep canyons down great mountains, through flat valleys, and past ancient redwood forests. The Avenue of the Giants mainly follows the South Fork of the river, but does pass the confluence of the South and Main forks near its northern terminus.

History

The Avenue of the Giants was part of U.S. Route 101 until a freeway bypass was completed on August 27, 1960, assuming the 101 designation. The Avenue was then designated as CA Route 254 by Assembly Concurrent Resolution 10.

Major intersections

Gallery

File:Founders Grove Loop Trail - Humboldt Redwoods State Park - DSC02496.JPG|Founder's Grove File:Riders POV in Avenue of the Giants, California.jpg|Rider's point of view File:HUMBOLDT STATE PARK, HUMBOLDT CTY, CA.jpg|The park File:Aveofthegiants.png|Chandler Grove File:Rockefeller Forest Sequoia sempervirens.jpg|Rockefeller Forest

In popular culture

The Avenue of the Giants was featured by Huell Howser in Road Trip Episode 105.

References

References

1. https://www.arrs.run/HP_AvGMa.htm Avenue of the Giants Marathon
2. {{FHWA NHS map
3. {{FHWA NHS
4. {{CA scenic
5. {{Caltrans scenic
6. "Founders Tree Coast Redwood. Humboldt Redwoods State Park Founders Grove. Sequoia sempervirens".
7. (2004). "Touring the old redwood highway : Humboldt County". Hawk Mountaintop Pub..
8. (July 2007)
9. [[California Department of Transportation]], [https://traffic-counts.dot.ca.gov/ All Traffic Volumes on CSHS], 2005 and 2006
10. (May 24, 2001). "Avenue of the Giants – Road Trip with Huell Howser (105) – Huell Howser Archives at Chapman University".