Pioneer Tree Trail - 2.25 Miles Round-Trip

The Pioneer Tree Trail is located in Samuel P Taylor State Park on the south side of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. This short loop follows a redwood-lined tributary of Lagunitas Creek into a mixed Douglas fir, oak, laurel and madrone forest.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

The trail is highlighted by a stop at the eponymous Pioneer Tree, one of the last old growth redwoods in this second generation forest. Visitors will enjoy mild grades, abundant redwoods and creek access on the Pioneer Tree Trail. The following description travels counter-clockwise:

The Pioneer Tree Trailhead is located within the Redwood Grove picnic area of Taylor Camp, just over the bridge past the entrance station. The trail rises gently beside a luxuriant tributary of Lagunitas Creek through tall redwood columns.

It crosses the creek and hairpins up and away where a tree fell and obstructed the trail in the winter of 2012 (.4 miles : 321'). The trail bends back north on a steeper grade with useful perspective on the forest floor and riparian corridor below.

It moves through drier areas shared by increasing numbers of Douglas fir, oak and laurel. Many fir rival the redwoods' size in this area. Look for deer, fox, bobcat and owl as you progress.

You'll reach the Pioneer Tree at 1.25 miles (345') - a massive, bifurcated, and hollowed out tree that stands out from much younger redwoods in the vicinity.

The trail continues on a winding path through a diverse forest down to the Cross Marin Trail junction along Lagunitas Creek (1.75 miles : 182'). The Cross Marin Trail follows the creek west on a wide gravel path back to the Pioneer Tree Trailhead (2.25 miles).

Redwoods
150 million years ago Redwood and Redwood-like trees covered most of the Northern Hemisphere. Climate changes thinned out these forests and today only two redwood species remain in California: the Coast Redwood and Giant Sequoia.

Coast Redwoods are the tallest living organisms on earth and can live to be 2,000 years old. Redwoods grow best in moderate temperatures and need significant moisture to thrive. The Redwoods' success along the California coast is due in part to year-round fog, which condenses on the trees' needles, drips to the ground and provides moisture, even during the dry season.

Coho Salmon and Steelhead Trout in Samuel P Taylor State Park
Lagunitas Creek, variously known as Papermill Creek, is one of the last natural spawning corridors for coho salmon and steelhead trout.

Coho will begin and end their lives in the creek, while steelhead will venture out to sea and return each year to spawn. Adult fish can be seen in the winter making their way up Lagunitas Creek - coho typically arrive December - January, and steelhead January - March.