A recent storm brought high winds, rain, and snow to Northern California and those conditions took down the iconic Pioneer Cabin Tree at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. The tree was referred to as the Tunnel Tree because of a tunnel that had been carved into its broad base 137 years ago. The tree fell to the ground on Sunday, after the storm hit the state park hard.
Visitors were once able to drive through the base of the tree, but it was recently opened up to only hikers in a 1.5 mile loop.ย The opening in the trunk was carved into its 32 foot base where a fire scar already existed.ย The giant sequoia trees in this state park are estimated to be over 1,000 years old and some of which are over 250 feet tall. This tree was an iconic piece of history in California and we are sad to see it go.
