“I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than trees.”
-Henry David Thorough
Well, it would be nearly impossible for me to have come out taller than these trees, since I was hiking through the redwoods, but the idea that nature expands our spirits is a beautiful one. To stand among wonders you’ve only seen in books or photos is to be changed. You walk away with a broader view, a quieter mind, and a deeper joy. The forest doesn’t just surround you—it lifts you.
Stout Memorial Grove Trail
Location: Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, CA
Length: .6 miles
Elevation Gain: 32 ft – so, virtually nothing
Pros: stunning views of massive redwoods, easy parking and restrooms, benches, picnic area
Cons: could get crowded on nice weekends
There was no better way to begin our day in the redwoods than with a walk through Stout Grove. Tucked away at the end of a narrow dirt road—once part of an old stagecoach route—this short, easy trail feels like a portal to another world.
Stout Grove is often called the most photogenic stand of redwoods on Earth, and it’s easy to see why. With only ferns and sorrel carpeting the ground, the view of the massive trunks is unobstructed and humbling. The sunlight filters through branches hundreds of feet high, creating a prehistoric cathedral.
At the heart of the grove stands the Stout Tree, the largest one here. A wooden platform, added in 2018, now encircles its base to protect the roots and soil from the steady stream of admirers. We took turns with our fellow tourists on the platform, snapping pics with the namesake tree.
Though we shared the trail with other hikers, the air felt hushed—quiet in a way that made the trees seem alive. Their rippled, knobby bark whispered of ancient days, and for a moment, we believed in Ents.
Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail
Location: Redwood National Park, CA
Length: 1.4 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 101 ft. – a few steep parts, especially at the beginning
Pros: variety of foliage w/ Douglas firs, redwoods, huckleberries, rhododendrons, and ferns, parking and restrooms, benches, ranger-led walks
Cons: busier – even on weekdays, smaller trees
At 1,200 feet above sea level, the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail offers a well-maintained loop through one of Redwood National Park’s most popular highland groves. The elevation brings more rain, wind, and fog, and alters the composition of the forest—ferns and dense shrubs fill the landscape, and the redwoods – though still towering- are smaller here.
The first Jurassic Park movie was filmed at another trail a few miles from here, and we could easily imagine this area as the setting for dinosaurs. (Yes, we pondered our survival rates in the face of velociraptors. Not good.)
The road to the grove is steep and narrow, ending at a parking lot surrounded by second-growth Douglas firs. A wooden footbridge marks the start of the trail, where the old-growth redwoods begin. The path descends a bit steeply at first, then levels out into an easier loop through the grove. As I mentioned, this is a popular trail, and it was busier, but not enough to take away from the experience.
This little piece of forest holds another layer of history as well. About half a mile in, you’ll find a plaque dedicating the grove to Lady Bird Johnson, placed here in 1969 by President Nixon to honor her conservation and environmental work. It’s a fitting tribute, nestled among the trees she helped protect.
“One of my most unforgettable memories of the past years is walking through the Redwoods last November –
seeing the lovely shafts of light filtering through the trees so far above,
feeling the majesty and silence of that forest,
and watching a salmon rise in one of those swift streams –
all our problems seemed to fall into perspective and I think every one of us walked out more serene and happier. “
– Lady Bird Johnson – July 30, 1969
Two more miles added to the hiking log, and they were completed with my favorite person and best friend – my husband. Barry has certainly logged more hiking miles this year than he bargained for… He is still a reluctant trail-buddy, but I’m hoping that he is starting to appreciate the rewards of venturing into the wild! 😉
Go for a hike, hug a tree… IF you can get your arms around it!
Til next time, shine bright friends!
~Dawn 🌻
