Height: | 244.00+ ft | (74.37+ m) | Elevation: | 171 ft (52 m) | GPS Latitude: | 41.36761 |
Volume: | 29,541 ft3 | (837 m3) | Creek: | Godwood Creek | GPS Longitude: | -124.02267 |
Width: | 23.00 ft | (7.01 m) | Grove: | Walker Grove | Discovery Date: | 1991 |
Age: | 2,500 y | Park: | Prairie Creek Redwoods SP | Discovered By: | Michael W.Taylor |
Notes: West Ridge Giant is the 15th largest coast redwood, the 6th largest tree in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, and the largest tree in Clinton L. Walker Grove. Naturalist Michael Taylor named the tree after the West Ridge Trail nearby.
Drive: West Ridge Giant is 262 mi (422 km) north of San Francisco near the community of Orick.
From U.S. Highway 101 just north of Orick take exit 753 Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. Drive north 1.2 mi (1.9 km) on Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway to Prairie Creek Road. Turn left onto Prairie Creek Road and park near the Prairie Creek Visitor Center.
Hike: West Ridge Giant grows on the eastern side of Godwood Creek in Clinton L. Walker Grove. To reach West Ridge Giant, hike northeast from the Prairie Creek Visitor Center, cross the bridge over Prairie Creek, and turn right/north at the second intersection onto West Ridge Trail. Hike north on West Ridge Trail past the Clinton L. Walker Grove bench, located at 41.36717 -124.02313, where the trail turns abruptly right/east. About 40 ft (12 m) past the bench, you will see West Ridge Giant off to your left. Leave the the trail here and hike north 160 ft (49 m) off-trail to West Ridge Giant. Look for a distinctive W-shaped (W for West Ridge) bark pattern about 40 ft (12 m) up the southwest side of the trunk.
Rating: | Easy | One-Way Distance: | 0.4 mi | (0.6 km) | Ascent: | 23 ft | (7 m) |
Time: | 12 min | Off-Trail: | 160 ft | (49 m) | Descent: | 0 ft | (0 m) |
View West Ridge Giant Tree location in Google Maps
Photos: Pictures of West Ridge Giant Tree taken from different sides