DARTH VADER coast redwood

The dark one towers in Redwood National and State Parks

by Mario Vaden

 

Meet "DARTH VADER" .. a dark giant of the redwood parks.. I was going to add this to the mystery redwoods. but it looks so amazing I decided to share the name. The lens was aimed horizontal, and the actual trunk shape is basically what's shown below. January 13, 2017. The morning sun was too bright for photography but great for exploring. I grabbed my oldest pack, camera and compass, then explored a new patch of old growth. This grove has seen plenty of fire. Nearby, there was a huge exposed root system every bit as large as the old Dyerville Giant of Founder's Grove to the south.

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Black bear trails were all over the place. It's easy to tell because people don't go up here, plus bears walk low under fronds. On logs, the claw scratches were evident. Big scratches from big bears. This is not the Darth Vader mask redwood of Berry Glen trail called the "monster tree". Darth Vader is elsewhere, exceedingly more enormous, and better suited for the name. Like some other new finds, I don't provide maps. The photo is meant to inspire enthusiasm for those who are planning an excursion to the redwoods. Just find a few trails, keep your eyes peeled, and you will spot many huge coast redwoods in most of Redwood National and State Parks.

The 2nd image was taken nearby for kicks at near an unspecified creek .. the power of the force is strong with this one.

Image: scroll down to find the human at bottom right side for scale