“I wish that all of nature’s magnificence, the emotion of the land, the living energy of place could be photographed.”
~Annie Leibovitz
From the Redwood Parks Conservancy:
GROVE OF TITANS
Deep in the heart of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park lies a grove of ancient redwood trees named for their remarkable size – the Grove of Titans. Known by indigenous people for centuries, the group of trees was re-discovered by researchers in the 1990’s. The grove is a magnificent stand of ancient redwoods containing some of the world’s tallest trees.
With no direct access, this sacred grove was kept relatively hidden for many years until the location was posted online in 1998. Visitors in search of these elusive old-growth trees created informal “social trails”, which damaged the forest floor (e.g., trampled vegetation, stripped bark at the bases of trees, compacted soil and exposed redwood roots), threatening the long-term survival of the grove itself.
The renewed Mill Creek Trail and the elevated walkway in the Grove of Titans is now OPEN to the public and visitors from all over the world will be able to gaze up into the canopy of the grove, reclaiming its sacredness.
If they could only speak. Lovely!
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The stories they could tell. Thank you so much, Belinda. 🌲😊
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Just Wow! Thank you ♥️
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Thank you, Sherry. It was a wow morning! 🌲❤️
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To contemplate that we are connected to such incredible beings…so moving, so heartbreakingly sad, so inspiring… may they survive 🙏🙏💚🌳🌳
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Well said, Therese. Thank you so much and I’m glad these moved you. 🌲🤗
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Your images certainly capture the how awe-inspiring and magnificent these giants are. A fabulous collection!
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Thank you, Denise! This was an amazing treat to see. We’ve visited the redwoods many times but had never seen this grove. Thankfully, the new walkway was featured in the paper. I was glad I had my iPhone because it allowed for these super wide shots. 🌲💚
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wow. titans indeed! Magnificent trees! (and of course, photos!)
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Thanks so much, Andy. It’s an awesome experience walking among them. 🌲☺️
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Just majestic, that’s what I feel, looking at your images
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Thank you, Cornelia. As you can imagine, a challenge to photograph they are so huge. So I am glad they convey that feeling!🌲💚
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Graphically I love all the long lines broken up by bursts of green! Beautiful images!
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Thanks so much, Brad. I think the crowns of the trees creating that space is amazing. Such fun to experience and photograph. Happy you enjoyed this set. 🌲😊
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It’s so difficult to get the scale and scope of those redwoods, but you’ve done it and I think the “New Perspective” photo does it particularly well. The angles in that composition are great. “Where You Lead” shows the scale well, too, because of the road. Beautiful. I think those two are my favorites. Thanks for including the info from the park – from the 5th and last photos, it looks like they made every effort not to compact the soil when they built the trail. I like the boles on the “Redwood Chandelier” photo and the fluffiness of the greenery in the next one is lovely. Cool lichens, bark, and Redwood sorel details, too!
It’s fun to see the two of you making cameo appearances. “Two Titans”?? 😉
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Thanks so much, Lynn. The height of these trees is quite overwhelming to photograph- I was thankful for my phone to capture the wide perspectives. I imagined you getting lost in the details of the gorgeous understory which takes a backseat to the grandeur of the redwoods. Cameos needed for scale…and humor. My titan enjoyed posing. 🙂 Appreciate your thoughts! 🌲💚
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Don’t I know it! They’re beyond overwhelming. As much as I love the understory, what I remember most about Humboldt & Pariarie Creek is being overwhelmed by the scale. It’s a good kind of overwhelmed! 🙂
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Wonderful POV looking straight up at these incredible giants, Jane. I also like the close ups of the trunks with all of the colors and patterns.
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Thank you, Susan. As I’m sure you know, it’s an awesome experience being among these giants. Glad you enjoyed! 🌲😊
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Stunning! Love your photos, as always!
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Hi Sunnydays, Glad you enjoyed these Titans. It was amazing to see. Thank you so much! 🌲😊
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Truly magnificent portraits of these mighty redwoods, Jane. They’re difficult to photograph due to their immensity but you did a wonderful job. I liked how you captured the surroundings, too, with the clover and bark close-ups. Two Titans gave me a smile. Thanks for taking us here to Jedediah Park and for highlighting the amazing work of the Redwood Parks Conservancy.
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Thanks so much, Jet. I was glad I had my iPhone with me to get those wide shots and I could’ve spent many more hours photographing the understory and the details. All so stunning. Thankful that the Parks are doing a good job of preserving and protecting. Happy glad you enjoyed them!🌲💚
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Magnificent
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Thank you so much, Flower Roberts. Appreciate your visit!🌲😀
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It looks so mysterious and lovely in the same time. Love it
You are talented
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Happy you enjoyed these, MaiMei. Thanks very much and I’m glad you stopped by! 🌲😊
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Nice pics, but …
Too bad the grove had to be discovered. Maroon Bells was the same way, tucked away deep in the backcountry. Once the first pics were published, everyone wanted to go there to see. And, when the National Forest Service needs to close off the whole area to rehabilitate the land, they can’t because the photogs (amateur and professional), tourists, campers, etc. protested too much. It is disappointing. Some places are not meant to be seen.
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Hi David, Funny, I don’t remember Maroon Bells being deep in the backcountry– have hiked there a few times. Agree, social media has created a frenzy to see these amazing places, but I can’t agree that they aren’t meant to be seen. Educating people about how to be respectful of the environment and perhaps limiting the numbers may be a start. Seeing and feeling the grandeur of these places will hopefully compel people to want to save the earth. 🌎
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I meant to type “giants” and there doesn’t appear to be an editing function. 😬😊
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Magnificent giant, beautifully captured.
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Thanks so much, Kewtie. It’s an awesome experience! 🌲😀
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Beautiful photos of these powerful beings. There’s so little old growth left. I’m glad this stand has been saved.
Alison
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Stunning magnificence!
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I think a lot of folks who hear redwoods think Sequoias, but the Coastal Redwoods are spectacular in their own right. Seeing them from a distance might seem like, “nice grove of tall trees”, but get close to one and, “wow!”
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So true, Dave. There’s a relatively small population now and I hope the efforts to preserve the Coastal Redwoods are successful. It really is a wow moment walking among them! Thanks so much. 🌲😀
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Shots beyond imagination. Nature had given you the opportunity and you had taken that perfectly.
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Thanks so much! It was a gift to be there. Meditative and truly awe-inspiring. 🌲😊
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You’re welcome 😊
Wish you will visit my posts on safety on road and practice safe driving to make it your habit. Hope you will share my posts with your family members and all your friends 🙏
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These are stunning captures, Jane. They reflect the tallness of these giants and make me feel sooo small.
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Thank you, Greta. Very challenging to capture their enormity! And yes, we are soooo small. 😊🌲
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Majestic guardians of the planet earth ❤️
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So true, Longbull. That’s what walking among these titans feels like. Thanks so much. ❤️🌲
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Quite incredible, Jane! I never made it over there, but your gorgeous pics sure make it look inviting. Glad to know there is a designated trail to view these beauties!
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Thanks, Terri. So glad you enjoyed and maybe you’ll make the trip someday soon. There were recent articles about the new walkway and that’s how we thankfully found this Grove. 🌲
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Wow, I’ve noted this place for a possible visit to Northern California next year (it’s on our planning radar!) I especially love the close up of the bark and the monochrome shots like Redwood Chandelier 🙂
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Hi Sarah, I’m so glad it’s on your list! There are many wonderful groves but this one is outstanding. Happy you found the images enticing. I didn’t know the term Chandelier tree until this trip- offshoots that give it this unusual shape. And the bark just fascinates me..the stories it tells. Thanks so much for visiting. 🙂 🌲
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How wonderful that these majestic trees are available for all to visit. I hope they’re protected too. Beautiful images Jane!
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Thank you, Brad. So glad you enjoyed these. All of the redwood parks are amazing to see but this grove is outstanding. The new walkway is one way they are protecting the understory. Hopefully people will respect it. Wildfires, that’s a problem. 🌲💚
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Such magnificent trees and lovely photos. (Suzanne)
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Thanks so much, Suzanne. Happy you enjoyed them. 🙂
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The enormity of these trees almost defies belief, stunning old marvels
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Hi Sue, It really is stupendous to see and imagine the years going by in their long lives. It’s a very peaceful nature bath walking among them. Thanks so much. 🌲
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My pleasure, Jane 😊
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We have nothing like that in this Country, the images are breathtaking!
I hope they are safe from the wildfires I saw on the news.
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Thanks so much, Brian. They are rare and amazing. Have to hope they will be safe. There are so few left. Glad you enjoyed these images. 🌲😀
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Colossal, aren’t they? It must be amazing to be under that canopy, Jane 🤗💗
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Thanks, Jo. There’s a feeling of quiet and peace that is incredible. We are so small. 😊🌲
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Beautiful trees.
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Thanks so much, Taurusingemini. 😊
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Good words from Annie Leibovitz, Jane! 🙂
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Thanks, Harrie. Words to live by. 😊🌎
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There THEY are! You saw them. Beautiful. God come to earth. I so hope they all don’t burn.
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Stunning pictures of ancient lands.
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Thanks, Liz. It was stunning to see!🌲❤️
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Yes, Cindy! We’ve visited many redwood parks but not the Grove and wow, it was incredible. Yes, hoping they are free from wildfires. Thanks so much for visiting here. 🌲😊
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How grand! I love these 💜💜💜
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Thank you so much, Tea. Appreciate you stopping by. 💜
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My pleasure, Jane 💜 Love and light 💜
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A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! Thanks for sharing, Mel
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Thanks so much, Mel. You’ve described it perfectly! 😃🌲
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Your photos give a feel for the immensity and splendor of the redwoods, Jane. I can feel the peace and quiet.
janet
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Thank you, Janet. That means a lot- as you know, it’s a challenge to convey their grandeur. Happy you enjoyed them. 😊🌲
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Just awesome.
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Thanks, Friend. ❤️🌲
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Lovely trees! Awesome shots!
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Thanks so much, Sharon. Happy you enjoyed them!
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Not just gorgeous but so magical. There’s just such a reminder of spirit and a gorgeous universe.
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So true, Kristine. Thank you. A reminder of the power of nature to heal and restore. 😊🌲
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Nothing is so awe-inspiring as standing in a redwood grove… a sacred experience. Your photos are beautiful, Jane– talk about a challenging perspective! 😉 You’ve done them justice. I’m relieved to see the elevated platforms. Humans are capable of loving a thing to death! ❤
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HI Eliza, So true! There’s an energy that’s hard to describe when walking through the groves. I’m glad you enjoyed these– it is a challenge to convey their enormity. I wasn’t sure about the platforms when I read about them, but they are thoughtfully done and didn’t detract from the experience. Thank you! 😊🌲❤️
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Thank you! Beautiful..
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Thanks so much, Lee Anne. Great to hear from you. 🤗🌲
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They are sacred and so incredibly gorgeous! Thanks for the peek into their world. Is that very small figure on the left side of the
enormous redwood you? 😉
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Thank you, Kathy. It was a fantastic morning of exploring among these giants. Yes, the happy photographer is indeed me and Bob was quite useful for perspective, too. 😊🌲
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moral of the story…..”If you find something beautiful, do not tell anyone”
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Hi Wayne, You said it. It’s sad that many people don’t take care when exploring. On the flip side, I wish that everyone could experience the sacred and astonishing beauty of these trees. Not that far from there is the Hyperion Tree – the park is now fining people who are caught hiking to it. Glad you enjoyed these–thanks so much! 😀🌲
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there is a military plane that crashed during the 2nd World War near Tofino,in the Park.
I know the story behind it but have never gone to view it.
It is not officially sanctioned by the Park but is one of the most travelled to spots in the Park.
Personally I view the wreckage as a blight upon Nature but so many must disagree with me as they keep that trail well used!
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Didn’t know that when we visited your beautiful Tofino, but I wouldn’t have cared to visit it either. There are a lot of WWII buffs out there who would.
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I haven’t been to JS, but I’m lucky to have seen the Redwoods in other parks. Beautiful photos that capture the essence of these giants.
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Hi Alessandra, So glad you’ve been to the redwoods. This was the first at the Grove and it was a wonderful experience. Happy you enjoyed these–thanks very much. 😊🌲
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Mighty specimens 🍃
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They sure are, Lori. It’s a meditation being among them. Glad you enjoyed– thank you.
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Wonderful series of redwood, Jane- like them all. In particular, I like “Standing tall” image very much. I’ve been to Redwood National Park a couple of times and enjoyed walking around and taking a few shots esp. the morning sun through the woods during my second visit in 2019.
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Thanks so much, Stephen. Happy you enjoyed, especially Standing Tall. As you know from visiting, the redwoods are a challenge to capture. I found that my iPhone did a great job with the wide shots. We lucked out with a clearing foggy morning…finding the sun peeking through the trees is always a gift. Glad you’ve been! 🌲😀
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A great set of images. TheAncient Redwood is my favorite .
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Thanks, Bruce. It was quite a wonderful experience. Glad you like that close-up of the bark- I find the patterns fascinating. 🌲
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Oh Jane! You truly nailed it! So utterly difficult to catch the true beauty of this very special place. Thanks for sharing this treasure!!! 💞🙏
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Thank you, Gunta! Have you been? We have been to the redwoods many times but not this grove. It now tops the list. So glad you enjoyed! 🤗🌲
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Hi Jane… I’ve been quite a number of times to the various Redwood parks since I first landed on the West Coast in the late 60s. These days they are relatively close since we’re not far from the northern CA border and a small park still remains here in Oregon. We could probably make it a day trip, but that would be silly to limit our time with those magnificent beauties. Have you ever done the Trillium trail in the springtime when the trilliums are in bloom amongst the Redwoods? I still can’t get over how beautifully you captured the spirit of these miraculous trees. Thank you ever so much for sharing!
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HI Gunta, I haven’t been there during Trillium bloom that I can remember. Must be fabulous. The Titan Grove is a short drive (the direct route, not all the way around) from Crescent City. Makes me happy that you enjoyed these so much. Thanks again! 💚🌲
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Just magnificent Jane 💕
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Thanks so much, Andrew. It was a marvelous nature morning. 💕
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