Lost Monarch - World's 28th Largest Tree
Height: 321.00+ ft (97.84+ m) Elevation: 157 ft (48 m) GPS Latitude: 41.77814
Volume: 34,534 ft3 (978 m3) Creek: Mill Creek GPS Longitude: -124.10075
Width: 26.00 ft (7.92 m) Grove: Grove of Titans Discovery Date: May 11, 1998
Age: Park: Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP Discovered By: Stephen C. Sillett
Michael W. Taylor

Notes: Lost Monarch, also known as Súlimo, is the world's 28th largest tree, the 3rd largest coast redwood, the 3rd largest tree in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, and the largest tree in the Grove of Titans. Although Lost Monarch (1,290 AF points) has been the official American Forests national champion coast redwood since 1998, Godwood Creek Giant (1,295 AF points) and Juggernaut (1,359 AF points) have since surpassed it. Trunk volume estimate excludes two large basal sprouts, 7,663 ft3 (217 m3), which emerge on the north side of the tree. These sprouts remain fused with the main trunk for nearly 20 ft (6 m) before diverging as individual stems. While Lost Monarch and its basal sprouts may be genetically identical, experts consider them separate trees which share a common root system.

Cal Poly Humboldt forestry professor Stephen C. Sillett photographed the crown of Lost Monarch from El Viejo del Norte and a Tyrolean traverse to the tree. Naturalist Michael W. Taylor photographed author Richard M. Preston standing beside Lost Monarch. Lost Monarch is featured in the BBC Radio 4 Nature program James and the Giant Redwoods.

Drive: Lost Monarch is 290 mi (467 km) north of San Francisco near Crescent City.

Northbound: From U.S. Highway 101, exit Humboldt Road just south of Crescent City. Turn right onto Humboldt Road and drive 1.5 mi (2.4 km) north to Howland Hill Road. Turn right onto Howland Hill Road and drive 3.8 mi (6.1 km), past Howland Hill Giant, to the parking area located at 41.77243 -124.09940.

Southbound: From U.S. Highway 101, exit Elk Valley Road just south of Crescent City. Turn left onto Elk Valley Road then drive 1.1 mi (1.8 km) to Howland Hill Road. Turn right onto Howland Hill Road and drive 4.4 mi (7.1 km) to the parking area located at 41.77243 -124.09940.

There are two turnouts on the right/east side of the road. Park at the first turnout which is closest to the trailhead sign on the opposite side of the road.

Hike: From the trailhead sign, hike north 0.8 mi (1.2 km) on Mill Creek Trail to 41.77848 -124.10006. Turn left/west at a set of trees where you see El Viejo del Norte's unmistakable protrusion. Leave the trail here and hike west 150 ft (46 m) off-trail to El Viejo Del Norte. Turn left/south and hike south 50 ft (15 m) off-trail to Lost Monarch.

Rating: Easy One-Way Distance: 0.8 mi (1.3 km) Ascent: 162 ft (49 m)
Time: 40 min Off-Trail: 250 ft (76 m) Descent: 189 ft (58 m)
Lost Monarch Tree Hike Map

View Lost Monarch Tree location in Google Maps

Panorama: Click panorama to take a virtual tour of Lost Monarch Tree

Lost Monarch Tree

Photos: Pictures of Lost Monarch Tree taken from different sides

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