Avenue of the Giants! Again!

[gf beranek]

Another trip to the big trees and hiking the same trails. Boy I got to say that cortisone shot really made my ankle feel a lot better. I'm feeling just about as good as my old self. Though I know it isn't going to last, but I'm digging it.

Saturday Terri and I hiked the 'Gated Road" into the Drury Chaney Grove. Then on Sunday we did Founders Grove. New angles and different lighting on familiar landscapes. Some of the trees you may recognize from the Coast Redwood book. Enjoy!!

 

[cory]

Great pics. Glad your ankle is cooperating.

Really dumb question, but I have to ask it: were trees like these getting logged regularly back in the 60s and 70s. Its just hard to imagine cutting trees that big, en masse.

 

[gf beranek]

Yes, Cory, in the 60's and 70's more trees like this were being logged than I am comfortable with. Despite that the logging was fascinating to me I wish they would have save more of them back then.

 

[Jed]

Some astonishing shots you're getting in some pretty low-light situations Jer. Thanks again. Can't quite afford another trip down this summer, but your shots are such an adequate alternative!

 

[cory]

Despite that the logging was fascinating to me I wish they would have save more of them back then.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[BOTS]

WOW, great pics Gerry and glad you up hiking again!!

 

[MasterBlaster]

I wonder when the last giant was felled?

 

[gf beranek]

Some astonishing shots you're getting in some pretty low-light situations Jer. Thanks again. Can't quite afford another trip down this summer, but your shots are such an adequate alternative!

Indeed low light conditions, Jed. Early in the mornings contrast is poor and colors are lost. The best light is when the fog is breaking and illuminated by the sun. It brings out colors and contrast. You can seen the difference in some of the shots I posted.

 

[Husabud]

Awesome that you're back on the trail Gerry! Incredible trees. Great shots.

 

[Grendel]

I wonder when the last giant was felled?

Me too!

Taken from The Golden Spruce, by John Vaillant;

"In 1987 a Vancouver Island faller named Randy felled a red cedar more than 22 feet in diameter. Using a Husqvarna 160 chain saw with a 40-inch bar, it took him six and a half hours. After cutting a wedge all the way around the outside of the tree, he cut window blocks and tunneled into the center. The noise from his saw was so loud inside the chamber he had made, and the exhaust so thick, that he didn't know the tree was falling until daylight, let in by the lifting trunk, lit up the smoke around him. . . When he examined the stump afterwards, Randy recalled that 'The tree rings were so tight you couldn't fit a piece of paper between them. That thing had to be--frig--Thousands of years old.'"

One of my favorite books, and a great read if you haven't.

Those are Amazing pictures Mr. Beranek!

 

[MasterBlaster]

Window block?

 

[Grendel]

I take that to mean large sections removed to gain access to the hinge wood. I think it's a term that could be used to describe the pockets we see used to set up hydraulic jacks for committing the tree to it's lay. . . Not sure, certainly never had to create one myself. haha

 

[bstewert]

This one fell on its own back in 1991. I remember going to see it shortly after the fall.

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+fall+of+the+Dyerville+giant.-a011830826

 

[rumination]

Awesome pictures Jerry. Thank you for sharing them with us.

 

[SimplyArbor]

 

[woodworkingboy]

Those trees are so big that they don't look real. Like something out of Jurassic Park.

 

[Mrs.B]

Funny you say that, Jay. Parts of Jurassic Park were filmed at locations in Prairie Creek Redwoods!

 

[Mick!]

Those are good photos, the ferns are nice, makes the place look almost landscaped.

 

[stig]

Great that you are able to hike again.
Thanks for the photos, can't wait to get back to those trees.

 

[Cobleskill]

Nice to see. Thanks.

Funny how what appeals to everyone is different. I told my son to make sure to check out Redwoods, Sequioas. He said meh. I couldn't believe it.

Cutting the Giants brings to mind the scientist cutting down probably the oldest tree on the planet, Bristlecone Pine, Prometheus. Brilliant.

 

[stig]

One has recently been measured to be 5063 years old.

If you ever get a chance to visit the Bristlecone forest near Bishop CA. it is well worth it.
In their own way, they are just as impressive as Sequioas/Redwoods.

 

[NickfromWI]

Agreed


love
nick

 

[Ed L]

Great pics, Jerry!

I appreciate you posting them for us!

Ed

 

[MasterBlaster]

they are just as impressive as Sequioas/Redwoods

Just think if they grew to their dimensions!!!

 

[Jed]

I wonder when the last giant was felled?

Depends on what you mean by "giant" Butch, but, my guess is, they're still falling old-growth right now on private land. Check out Gerry's "Old Growth" vid. Contemporary stuff.