See the grove that launched a movement! This shady, accessible 0.8 mile loop hike offers a unique Santa Cruz Mountain experience. A visit to this ancient redwood grove, by photographer Andrew P. Hill, more than a century ago reportedly helped launch the Sempervirens Club (now, yours truly) and the redwood preservation movement. Amid the hush of old-growth redwood trees, the sounds of trains can occasionally be heard from the nearby Roaring Camp Railroad. To enjoy this delightful mix of history, park in the lot on North Big Trees Park Road. To get the most out of your adventure, you can head to the Visitors Center to pick up a trail map filled with facts that correspond to numbered markers along the trail. The Redwood Grove Loop Trail begins right next to the Visitors Center. Keep an eye out for bright yellow banana slugs which can often spotted here if it’s not too hot and dry. At the halfway point of the loop, you can find the historic Fremont Tree, named for Lt. John C. Fremont who is said to have camped in the tree’s large hollowed out base when exploring the area in 1846. You can step inside and marvel at the living, resilient redwood tree. Look for a gate near the south end of the loop trail, to take a short detour to the San Lorenzo River. Follow the gated dirt road a few yards to the river for a lovely view with lots of vegetation and a railroad bridge crossing over the water. Once back on the Redwood Grove Loop, the trail will lead you among the towering trees back to the parking lot.