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| Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve | |
|---|---|
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)[1] | |
 One of the park's redwoods, the Icicle Tree | |
   | |
| Location | Sonoma County, California, United States |
| Nearest city | Guerneville, California |
| Coordinates | 38°32′17″N123°0′36″W / 38.53806°N 123.01000°W /38.53806; -123.01000 |
| Area | 805 acres (326 ha) |
| Established | 1934 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve is astate park ofCalifornia in theUnited States established to preserve 805 acres (326 ha) ofcoast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens). The reserve is located inSonoma County, just north ofGuerneville.
The reserve is in atemperate rainforest. The climate is mild and wet. The park receives an average of 55 inches (1.4 m) of rainfall per year, almost all between September and June. Abundantfog during the summer months helps to maintain the moist conditions required by the coast redwoods.
The Parson Jones Tree is the tallest tree in the grove, measuring more than 310 feet (94 m) in height. It is about a 100-yard (91 m) walk from the park entrance.
The Colonel Armstrong Tree is the oldest tree in the grove, estimated to be over 1400 years old. It is a 0.5-mile (800 m) walk from the park entrance.
The Icicle Tree shows the unusualburl formations often found on redwood trees. Burls can weigh many tons and grow hundreds of feet above the forest floor. Why these growths occur remains a mystery.
The reserve includes a visitor center, outdoor amphitheater, self-guided nature trails, and a variety ofpicnic facilities. Although no camping is available in the redwood grove, there is a campground atAustin Creek State Recreation Area, which is adjacent to the park. Austin Creek is accessed through the same entrance as Armstrong Redwoods and its rolling hills, opengrasslands,conifers, andoaks are a contrast to the dense canopy of the redwood grove.
The Discovery Trail offers awheelchair accessible pathway, interpretive panels inBraille, and tree hugging platforms. The Armstrong Nature Trail is an easy stroll through the grove and is also wheelchair accessible. Guides are available at the visitor center.
The East Ridge Trail and the Pool Ridge Trail are open to equestrians, although there are seasonal closures due to poor trail conditions in some winter months. Horse rentals are available through a private company that is adjacent to Armstrong Redwoods.
During the 1870s the area was set aside as a natural park andbotanical garden byColonel James Armstrong. After his death, Armstrong's daughter and the Le Baron family mounted an energetic campaign involving public meetings, rallies, and car-caravans to direct public attention to the need to preserve this last remnant of the once mighty redwood forest. Their efforts were successful, and in 1917 the County of Sonoma passed an initiative to purchase the property for $80,000.
The grove was operated by Sonoma County until 1934, when the state of California took over. In 1936 the grove was opened to the public as Armstrong Redwoods State Park. The grove's status was changed to a natural reserve in 1964 when a greater understanding of its ecological significance prompted a more protective management of the resource.
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve was one of 48California state parks proposed for closure in January 2008 by GovernorArnold Schwarzenegger as part of a deficit reduction program.[2] By May 2008 a temporary reprieve was granted, but the park's future is still uncertain.
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve travel guide from Wikivoyage
Media related toArmstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve at Wikimedia Commons