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like totally huge by HAZ_Hikebot  Trail of 100 Giants is an easy, accessible walk through Long Meadow Grove, one of the premier groves of giant sequoias. The grove showcases monarchs estimated to be up to 1,500 years old. About 1.3 miles of the paved trail offers several loop options with interpretive signs. Located on the Western Divide Highway (107), facilities include a paved parking area, restrooms, picnic area, and campground nearby. On April 15, 2000, President William J. Clinton proclaimed the establishment of the Giant Sequoia National Monument and made his announcement beneath one of the giant trees at the Trail of 100 Giants. The grove contains approximately 125 giant sequoias greater than 10 feet in diameter and more than 700 giant sequoias less than 10 feet in diameter. The largest tree in the grove has a diameter of 20 feet and is 220 feet in height. The grove defined by the outermost giant sequoia trees covers 341 acres. It is estimated that the ages of larger giant sequoia trees in the grove are up to 1,500 years old. A notable site along the Trail is where the two giant sequoias fell on Friday, September 30, 2011. The two trees had grown together at the base, appearing as one for approximately 30 feet. Specialists visited the site and did not find evidence of insects or disease contributing to the fall of the two giant sequoias. Streams run alongside where the giant sequoias once stood, and with the wet winter of 2010-2011, the ground could have been saturated and gave way to the weight of the trees. Visitors were on site when the trees fell and observed neither high winds nor any other external forces that may have contributed to the trees falling. No person was injured; however, a bridge, interpretive signs, a bench, and the trail itself were destroyed by the trees falling on them. To fully reopen the Trail loop to everyone, Forest Officials are planning to build an accessible boardwalk that connects the trail from the remaining northern-most bridge on the south side of the fallen sequoias to the existing trail on the east-side. The boardwalk will run parallel to, and approximately five feet away from, the fallen sequoias to avoid damage to the trail from the natural process of decomposition, including sloughing bark. The support beams under the boardwalk will span approximately eight feet to support a five-foot-wide path with hand railings. The boardwalk will be elevated off the ground approximately five feet, and be constructed from wood or materials resembling wood, construction is expected to begin in Summer 2013. This trail is ONLY accessible by road during the summer months, weather depending, due to annual closures by Tulare County. The trail is located on Western Divide Highway (107) across the road from Redwood Meadow Campground and Trail of 100 Giants parking area. The trail is about 45 miles northwest of Kernville, 41 miles southeast of Springville, and 15 miles northeast of California Hot Springs. Check out the Official Route and Triplog. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
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