More photos, above and below, courtesy Ranger Jeff Denny

UPDATE 2:50 p.m.: After assessing nature’s fury, Ranger Jeff wrote us back with more information — and more pictures! — about the old growth redwoods that fell in last night’s winds:

Andrew,

Here’s a bit more information regarding the tree that came down across the parkway as well as a couple photos from the rangers on the scene.

It appears that there were at least two old growth trees that have all fallen in a domino effect as a result of last night’s wind. According to State Park Ranger Kevin Cather, a portion of the Prairie Creek Trail may have been impacted. We’ll let you know as soon as we have more information on the trail conditions.

The Newton B Drury Parkway through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is closed until further notice. There’s a tentative estimate of about a week before the parkway will be opened for traffic. There is equipment on the way now to start removing the tree from the road. That may happen in the next day or two. Once we see the damage to the road surface, we should be able to provide a better estimate of a re-opening date. The south entrance to the parkway remains open to the Prairie Creek Visitor Center and Elk Prairie Campground. All park trails remain open and are accessible from the visitor center.

It’s important to remember that trees do in fact fall in the forest. Coast redwoods have very shallow root systems, 8 to 12 feet at best. When we get lots of rain especially accompanied by high winds like we’ve had over the past couple of days, these trees can be impacted. When trees fall in the forest they return essential nutrients to the soil and create habitat for wildlife and other plants. The removal of large expanses of the canopy open the forest floor to sunlight which allows new seedlings to grow.

Jeff

The fallen tree is located approximately 1/4 mile north of the Big Tree parking area, about 1-1/4 miles north of the Prairie Creek Visitor Center.

# # #

 

Original Post:

Photos: Jamie Wayne

This is getting serious! Thankfully your Lost Coast Outpost totally owns all rights to “WIND-ter” — the term we coined yesterday so that we may all better later remember this trying time in our collective history — because, wow, look at that big ol’ tree that blew down! 

LoCO reader Jamie Wayne sends in the shots, above and below, of some monster fallen foliage laying across Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway — just north of Big Tree, Wayne says —  in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Needless to say, that road is going to be closed for awhile. 

How long, though? That is unclear. Jeff Denny, a park ranger with Redwood National and State Parks, hadn’t been out to see the fallen tree yet so he was reluctant to give a time frame as to how long Newton B. Drury might be closed.

“It could take a few days if they have to get heavy equipment out there to deal with it,” he said — he’ll update us when his people know more. 

WIND-ter rages on. 

PREVIOUS WIND-TER: