Basin Basin, California -- Redwood Forest

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Big Basin is California's oldest State Park, established in 1902. It is home to the largest continuous stand of Ancient Coast Redwoods south of San Francisco and provides refuge to many species of animals including banana slugs, Giant Pacific Salamanders, woodpeckers, deer, tree frogs, rough-skinned newts, garter snakes, egrets, and herons.

Below are pictures from day hikes in the park.

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All images are the property of Rhett A. Butler / mongabay.com, copyright 2007. Contact me regarding use and reproduction.

Rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa). This species is known for its strong poison Rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa) in Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz Country, California Orange-bellied newt (Taricha granulosa) on a rock in the middle of Berry Creek in Big Basin Redwoods State Park in California Berry Creek in Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz Country, California Pine trees in Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz Country, California Orange-bellied newt (Taricha granulosa) in Big Basin Redwoods State Park in California The toxic rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa) in Big Basin Redwoods State Park in California Rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa) in a redwood forest in California Berry Creek Falls in Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz Country, California Fungi in Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz Country, California Rough-Skinned Salamander Rough-Skinned Newt Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz Country, California Golden Waterfall on Berry Creek in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California

Uppermost Waterfall on Berry Creek in Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz Country, California Golden Falls on Berry Creek in Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz Country, California Waddell Creek Beach, California Greyhound Rock County Park in Santa Cruz County, California Pacific coastline near Greyhound Rock, California Pacific Ocean coastline in Greyhound Rock Country Park, California Beach at Greyhound Rock County Park in Santa Cruz County, California Pacific Ocean coastline near Greyhound Rock in Santa Cruz Country, California Fern (with reflection) in Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz Country, California Western rattlesnake Western rattlesnake Western rattlesnake Upper Berry Creek Waterfall in Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz Country, California Upper Berry Creek Falls Close-up on Berry Creek Falls in Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz Country, California Berry Creek Waterfall in Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz Country, California Pacific banana slug (Ariolimax columbianus) Pacific banana slug (Ariolimax columbianus), the second-largest species of land slug in the world, growing up to 25cm (9.8 inches) long Banana slug (Ariolimax columbianus) in Big Basin Park, California Red Mushroom Red Mushroom Red Mushroom Alligator lizard Alligator lizard

Big Basin Redwoods State Park Big Basin Redwoods State Park is a California state park, located in Santa Cruz County about 23 miles northwest of Santa Cruz. Established in 1902, Big Basin is California's oldest State Park. The park covers 18,000 acres and is home to the largest continuous stand of Ancient Coast Redwoods south of San Francisco. The parks contains almost all of the Waddell Creek watershed and consists of old growth and recovering Redwood Forest, with mixed conifer, oaks, chaparral and riparian habitats. Elevations in the park vary from sea level to over 2,000 feet (600 m). Big Basin has over 80 miles (130 km) of trails. The most popular trail leads along Waddell Creek from the beach and adjacent Theodore J. Hoover Natural Preserve, a freshwater marsh, to a set of three waterfalls. The tallest of these is called Berry Creek Falls, which is more than 70-feet high. The Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail is also a favorite hike. Some trails are also open for mountain biking. The park has many animals (deer, raccoons, an occasional bobcat) and lots of bird life -- including Steller's jays, egrets, herons and California woodpeckers. Rough-Skinned Newts and garter snakes are particularly common. [Derived from Wikipedia]