Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve is a state park of California in the United States established to preserve 805acre of coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens). The reserve is located in Sonoma County, just north of Guerneville.The reserve is in a temperate rainforest. The climate is mild and wet. The park receives an average of 55in of rainfall per year, almost all between September and June. Abundant fog during the summer months helps to maintain the moist conditions required by the coast redwoods.Notable treesThe Parson Jones Tree is the tallest tree in the grove, measuring more than 310ft in height. This is longer than the length of a football field. It is about 0.058mi walk from the park entrance.The Colonel Armstrong Tree is the oldest tree in the grove, estimated to be over 1400 years old. It is named after a lumberman who chose to preserve this portion of the park in the 1870s. It is a 0.5mi walk from the park entranceThe Icicle Tree shows the unusual burl formations often found on redwood trees. Burls can weigh many tons and grow hundreds of feet above the forest floor. Why these growths occur remains a mystery.RecreationThe reserve includes a visitor center, outdoor amphitheater, self-guided nature trails, and a variety of picnic facilities. Although no camping is available in the redwood grove, there is a campground at Austin Creek State Recreation Area, which is adjacent to the park. Austin Creek is accessed through the same entrance as Armstrong Redwoods and its rolling hills, open grasslands, conifers, and oaks are a contrast to the dense canopy of the redwood grove.