Big Tree

A little south of Ruby Beach, on the other side of the 101 highway, the Big Tree, a western red cedar originally about 175 feet (53 meters) tall, is one of the most impressive trees in the Pacific Northwest.  Believed to be about 1,000 years old, it partially collapsed in a storm in 2014.  The National Park Service uses the sight of the tree to provide a lesson in the cycle of life.  As the tree dies and decomposes, it will become a massive nurse log for the new generation of giant trees, hopefully hosting other 1,000-year-old trees.

The cedar is just 110 feet (33 meters) from the trailhead.  The trail circles the tree and continues into the lush coastal forest to other impressive, slightly younger, cedars.

Trail to the Big Tree

Arriving at the Big Tree

Half fallen

We circle the tree and continue deeper into the forest to view more standing and fallen cedar trees.  It's not easy to take a picture of such tall trees when we're in the dense forest at the base of the tree looking straight up the trunk!

Continuing down the trail

Viewing more big trees

We circle around the end of the trail and return to The Big Tree, getting another perspective as we approach it from the other direction.

Back at the Big Tree

It's been an interesting walk through the forest to view the impressive trees and consider the cycle of life for these plants that can live for more than 1,000 years.