California · National and State Parks trail

Lady Bird Johnson Nature Trail Stop #6

in California

Towering Patriarchs Gazing up the immense trunk to the highest reaches of a redwood tree gives us a powerful sense of our own smallness. Capable of ascending to heights over 360 feet, coast redwoods tower over all living things on the planet. Most of its soaring height is gained in its first 100 years.

With adequate sunlight, a redwood can grow more than 30 feet in its first 20 years. If shade, drought, or fire does not inhibit its growth, it will grow two to three feet per year, reaching the forest canopy on its 200th birthday. Once a redwood reaches the canopy and the uppermost foliage is exposed to direct sunlight, strong winds, and lower humidity, its upward growth slows to two to three inches a year.

Turning its energy to its core, after 400 years the trunk of an old-growth redwood averages five to seven feet in diameter; at 700 years old, 10-15 foot diameter trunks are possible. Seedlings sprouting today begin their lives next to those born centuries ago.

States: California
Trail type: National and State Parks trail
Centroid nearest city: Eugene, OR · 196 mi · ~6 hr drive
Centroid coords: 41.3073°, -124.0231°

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-6.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 #6 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.