Posted by Ruthie L July 15, 2022

2022 Summer Road Trip 加州公路旅行 - Day 2 (Part 1) - Muir Woods 穆爾紅木森林國家紀念保護區

2022 暑假・加州公路旅行

Muir Woods National Monument

Day 2 (Part 1) - 穆爾紅木森林國家紀念保護區

位於北加州舊金山灣區西北邊的 Muir Woods 穆爾紅木森林公園，

是一個聽聞許久、備在口袋名單多時的夢想景點。

過去曾經四度造訪舊金山，但都遲遲未有機會拜訪這片綠意高聳的魔幻森林，

這次順著訪友之行，大家就一起相約去一探究竟啦！

p.s. 穆爾紅木森林公園內沒有收訊，

出發前記得先下載好地圖或研究好附近的景點路線，

以免形影單隻的山林裡繞圈子。

雖然 Muir Woods 穆爾森林公園的出入口處只有一個，

但是停車場有分成三個地方，

為了以防大家分散在不同的停車場，

建議先與友人們事先講好集合的時間和地點喔！

不然到時候沒有網路、也不能打電話，要聯絡彼此就麻煩啦～

There is no cell phone service in Muir Woods!

Please enjoy and remember to plan ahead for ：）

Muir Woods National Monument

📍1 Muir Woods Rd, Mill Valley, CA 94941

造訪前需事先線上預約停車證喔！一般小型車收費是 $9 塊美金。

另外，如果你已經有買國家公園年票的話，

就可以免費入園，不用在付一個人 $15 的門票囉！

Parking Reservations: https://gomuirwoods.com

Fees 相關收費如下：

Parking Reservation

$9.00 Standard Vehicle

$30.00 Medium Vehicle

$45.00 Large Vehicle

Shuttle Reservation

$3.50 per adult round trip ticket (16 years and older)

Free - child round trip ticket (15 years and younger)

Park Entrance Fee

$15.00 per adult (16 years and older)

Free - child (15 years and younger)

** The following park passes allow pass holders and up to three other adults to enter Muir Woods free of charge.

( These passes can be purchased upon arrival at the Muir Woods Visitor Center.)

・Muir Woods Annual Pass - $45
・The National Parks and Federal Recreation Annual Pass - $80
・Lifetime Senior Pass - $80
・Annual Senior Pass - $20
・Access Pass – Free
・Fourth Grade Student Pass – Free
・Current U.S. Military - Free

我們從入口處一路順著平緩木棧道往前走，

隨著雙腳一步步的趨近，映入眼簾的是已有近千年歷史的加州紅木，

棵棵堅直挺拔的矗立在身旁，彷彿在保衛著每一位造訪者…

除了頻頻發出初訪者的讚歎，身旁的蟲鳴鳥叫也此起彼落的呼應著，

大自然的美好，就是如此的純粹啊～

從 Founders Grove 到 Redwood Creek Trail 再接著 Catherdral Grove，

這一段步道都非常好走，老少咸宜也適合推車和輪椅喔！

對於嚮往投奔森林已久的都市之人來說，

這一幕幕如詩如畫的原木之美，由衷地令人感到陶醉啊！

有鑑於我們三家夥伴、六大五小浩浩蕩蕩地出遊，

在躋身於牽拉拖移各隻小鬼頭之間，

大人們也有默契地紛紛把額外的精力放在專心欣賞森山之美的身上。

以致於此行沒有太多精心構圖的風景照，

只有參差不齊的隨性隨手拍來濫竽充數⋯🙃😉😘（笑）。

畢竟享受當下才是最重要的～對吧！

但我還是盡可能的捕捉每一個撼動人心的畫面，

希望日後的自己可以隨時隨地的透過相簿來回味。

踩穩每一步腳印，

一邊仰望欣賞著優美壯麗的加州紅木，

也一邊用力地深呼吸、傾心傾力的浸身在美好的芬多精裡。

不一會功夫我們城市人俐落的腳步已經來到了第4座橋，

準備開始往 Hillside Trail 森林的更深處走去。

Hillside Trail 雖然沒有 Redwood Creek Trail 來得平坦，但也還是很好走喔！

有多了一些階梯和緩坡道，也有些地方是峭壁邊需注意安全，

不過在同行的九歲、五歲、三歲小蘿蔔頭們眼裡，似乎完全不畏懼啊～

依然開心的在樹林裡活蹦亂跳著。

沿著步道，一路上上下下、走走停停，

大約一個小時左右，我們便繞回來了第二座橋，

大家自在愜意地找地方坐，休憩片刻、吃些點心，

繼續有一搭沒一搭的閒話家常，一同享受著沁涼綠蔭所帶來的舒心時光。

短暫休息之後，

我們再一路沿著 Bohemian Grove Trail 往出口的方向前進。

The 558-acre Monument preserves one of the last remaining ancient redwood forests in the Bay Area. Some of the redwoods are nearly 1,000 years old and reach heights of more than 250 feet.

Muir Woods is Named for conservationist John Muir, it was the 10th national monument to be designated under the Antiquities Act of 1906, the first to be in proximity to a major city, and the first to consist of formerly privately owned.

This rare ancient forest where coast redwoods reign. Most of the mature redwoods here are 500 to 800 years old; some may be over 1,000 years old. They grow among rotting logs and thick undergrowth, creating a specialized habitat for many animals and plants.

Redwood creek adds to the diversity of life in this ancient forest, providing a habitat for aquatic creatures like fish, insects, and salamanders. Winter rainstorms swell the creek enough that it breaks through the sand barrier at Muir Beach. This allows steelhead trout and coho salmon to swim from the ocean into the creek, where they spawn.

As you walk among the redwoods, breathe in deeply and reflect on this forest's history and future.

*Information reference : National Park Foundation.

https://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm

About California Woods
Redwood-like trees covered much of the Northern Hemisphere 150 million years ago. Two species of redwood remain in the U.S. — both in California, one is the Coast Redwood, and the other one is Giant Sequoia. A third species, the dawn redwood, is native only to central China.

Earth's Tallest Living Things: Coast Redwoods. The tallest reaches 379 feet above the forest floor of Redwood National Park. In Muir Woods, the tallest is over 258 feet — about the height of a 23-story building.

They grow best in the moderate temperatures of the coast as long as they are protected from wind and salt spray.

*Information reference : National Park Foundation.

https://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm