California · National and State Parks trail

Lady Bird Johnson Nature Trail Stop #12

in California

Rebirth Like newborns clinging to their parents, new forest life clings in abundance to this fallen redwood. Salal, huckleberry, rhododendron, spruce, and hemlock all arise from this slowly deteriorating giant. A new redwood reaches out from its burled base, stretching its branches skyward through the shadow for a glimpse of nurturing sunlight.

Fractures in the wood formed when this tree fell from its lofty height, collecting soil and water and creating beds for seeds to germinate. Roots from the new plants break up the log as moisture from the ground below softens the hard wood. This log, lying as it has for decades, will ultimately decay into the ground.

Its remains provide nutrients to the soil, continuing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth in the forest.

States: California
Trail type: National and State Parks trail
Centroid nearest city: Eugene, OR · 196 mi · ~6 hr drive
Centroid coords: 41.3078°, -124.0213°

About Redwood National and State Parks

National and State Parks

This trail is inside Redwood National and State Parks, a national and state parks managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Conditions, road status, trail closures, and reservation requirements are published on the park's NPS page — check it before driving in, especially in winter or during major weather events.

Official NPS trail page: https://www.nps.gov/places/lady-bird-johnson-nature-trail-stop-12.htm

Park homepage: https://www.nps.gov/redw/index.htm

Plan your hike

Practical notes

Maps + permits: long-distance trails like this often require permits for through-hiking, backcountry camping, or specific sections (especially in National Parks). Check with the maintaining organisation listed above and the relevant land manager before booking travel.

Water + supplies: water sources vary seasonally on most U.S. trails. Carry a filter and consult current trail-condition reports — through-hiker journals (PCT-L, AT Reddit, etc.) and the maintaining organisation publish regular updates.

When to go: hiking seasons vary widely with elevation, latitude, and snowpack. Through-hikers traditionally start the AT in March-April (Springer northbound) and the PCT in late April (Campo northbound). High-elevation western trails (CDT, JMT, Wonderland) generally aren't passable until July.

If you've hiked Lady Bird Johnson Nature Trail Stop #12 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.