Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
on the river flats, dark redwoods stand beside alders, sycamores, bigleaf maples, black
cottonwoods, and willows, which boast vibrant greens in spring and deep hues of
orange, red, and yellow in fall. Sprawling oaks dot hillsides and ridges of golden
grass, while tanoaks, live oaks, madrones, and bays fill the cool, moist, north-facing
slopes and ravines. Offering contrast on the hot, dry south-facing slopes are the vel-
vety greens and browns of the chaparral, dominated by chamise, ceanothus, manzan-
ita, and coffeeberry. Take in the view and return the way you came.
WORLD'S TALLEST TREE
Exceeding 300 feet in height, coast redwoods (
Sequoia sempervirens
) are the world's
tallest trees. Big Sur marks the species' southernmost range. These moisture-loving
giants thrive in the region's narrow river gorges. Farther south, temperatures are too
hot and precipitation too low to sustain them. The remaining trees represent a frac-
tion of the original groves.
Coastal Indians were the first to make use of the trees, stripping the roots of
their strong fibers for use as thread in basketry. In subsequent settler days the land
was ill managed. Many old-growth groves were lost when the Ventana Power Com-
pany operated a sawmill here in the late 19th century. About the same time, John and
Florence Pfeiffer opened Pfeiffer Ranch Resort. To supply guests with lodging and
warmth, the Pfeiffers turned to the mill for their lumber needs. Decades later, when
Highway 1 was being built, the mill supplied lumber for worker housing.
