by Mario D. Vaden, I. S. A. Certified Arborist, PN-5584A

This page is about the Grove of Titans project and Mill Creek trail in Jedediah Smith park, adjacent to Crescent City, CA. I’m an arborist who observed, photographed and documented this grove yearly since 2008. Please review this page and all linked content for a broad context. It’s also worth noting that the park’s management networking with news probably caused 75% of vegetation loss. You won’t glean that from NPS’s own pages. A full narrative and VIDEO link about changes and fact vs. fiction are at the GROVE OF TITANS

The project was an essential need at a few specific spots that morphed into pork barrel spending and excess. Of about $3,000,000 reported raised, I estimate $1,000,000 was essential with a possible $1,500,000.00 – $2,000,000.00 over-spending. Some spots look better, but some stuff like the metal obelisks seem worse. The marsh crossing is one of the few areas where a metal walk seems justifiable. Most of the trail did not need boardwalk. The huge synthetic “railroad ties” all-combined seal soil and destroy about 1000 square feet of vegetation.

Much of the change resides in aesthetics subject to opinion. Aesthetically the boardwalk is ugly to some, but nice to others. In some places the social paths were only a few feet wide before, now broadened 5 to 6 feet. But there’s brand new loss of vegetation practically exceeding the so-called gain.

Apart from that, the trail work holds the appearance of craftsmanship. It looks like workers payed attention to detail and taking pride in the work. The crews worked very hard and I’d like them to know we respect their work. To crews reading my assessment, I’ve been in your shoes doing this kind of work in parks, university campuses and golf courses since about 1976. So I saw the sweat and effort you put into this project.

The end-result erases a wilderness feel like hikers experience at a place like Tall Trees Grove or Boyscout Tree trail where there’s simple bare trail. And for those reading who strolled Stout Grove, the fact you don’t see metal grates throughout that grove offers a clue about what’s not needed.

EDIT UPDATE January 11, 2021 … apparently, decks under the main titan redwoods were constructed during wet winter, the worst time of year for soil damage and compaction. The winter work denotes deficiency in management and planning and deviates from the project’s advertised fund raising goal of tree care. (see my advice page for SOIL CARE and 10 Methods)

EDIT UPDATE May 28, 2021 … I had a nice chat with workers assigned to this project and mentioned work under redwoods on wet winter soil. One replied they were constrained to operating equipment that time of year due to environmental rules and wildlife. But they installed lengths of trail in that grove during the dry season. So it appears that work done over wet soil and roots boils down to management’s choice. My background with soil care started with golf courses and university campuses back in the 1980s. That’s why work over bare wet soil caught my attention.

My first impression was how out-of-place part of the design looks compared to other trails and groves in Redwood National and State Parks. To some people it will look aesthetically pleasing. For others it will take time to adjust. When I hiked the grove summer 2024, it seemed to look better because the support materials faded a little and in several places plants are starting to flow over the edges of the grates a little cloaking straight lines and adding a hint of “patina”. So to be fair, I’d say it looks pretty good, and a lot of people are going to enjoy this grove a lot.

In addition to the 2000 to 3000 square feet of vegetation lost along Howland Hill Rd. for bathrooms, this trail project gutted even more plants due to its width and design in some spots. Sorrel can grow under grates, but not under the beams. Considering lost vegetation was part of the panic originally fed to news writers and fund raising, it’s fair to point this out.

The sections shown above were gouged through some roots of two big redwoods seen on the left and right. Around the corner, the beams rest on earth.

The photo below shows what’s beneath the grates.

The steps shown are directly across the marsh from a redwood referred to as a “Fused Titan”.

A combination of metal and synthetic beams is being used. The reddish “lumber” appears similar material to Trex Deck or Bend-a-Board used for homes and landscaping.

The materials are much different from the wooden bridges in most of the northern coast redwood parks. The foot bridge along Mill Creek trail will probably seem closer to what hikers have been accustomed too there. The shape and width is similar and the hand rails are the same look.

Here’s the Mill Creek trail sign by Howland Hill Rd.

It looks like all the gravel is going in from the road.

Here’s one of the biggest trunks, about 26 feet diameter. If anything, the only change is a reversal of wear and tear because practically nobody has been walking around it in almost a year.

Here’s a view looking down the hill along Mill Creek trail while hiking to the grove.

So far, the grove hasn’t been over-crowded. Even when there’s 20 or 30 cars parked near the trailhead and turnouts, once those people are all dispersed along the trail and thoughout the grove, the vibe is mellow. When I went back to visit a few times, people talked quietly and I don’t recall adults or children shouting.