Article

By Eric Johnson and Mike Kahn

Feb. 13, 2024—Addressing an open house Monday evening on the process known as “Reimagining Big Basin” at Felton Community Hall, Chris Spohrer, State Parks district superintendent, sounded an optimistic note.

Spohrer told the crowd of around 65 participants that he had been up at Big Basin Redwoods State Park over the weekend, and was “really encouraged” to see how many people were there using the park during what is a period of recovery. He said there are more and more trails open, and that “it's well worth the time to go up there and see that. It gives us, and gives everybody, real hope for the future.”

The open house featured a presentation and update about the park’s Facilities Management Plan, a project that sprung out of necessity in the aftermath of the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire that destroyed or damaged the vast majority of Big Basin’s park infrastructure, from the historic headquarters and new interpretive center to camping facilities and many miles of trails.

Spohrer also had good news regarding progress being made in reopening more park facilities and services, reporting that camping, day use, and shuttle service will return. Much of the park’s visitor services will be shifted from the location of the former park headquarters, near Big Basin’s biggest grove of old-growth redwoods, to a new welcome area at Saddle Mountain, on Highway 236 near Little Basin Road.

With 97% of Big Basin's 18,000 acres severely impacted by the fire, and in recognition of the dangerous ecological conditions created by the climate crisis, the “Reimagining” project calls for a new forest management strategy. This work is based on scientific data and, Spohrer said, extensive post-fire field research.

This “management plan for the future and health of the forest” will include expanded mechanical fuel-reduction projects, as well as increased use of prescribed burning. The remaining planning process and implementation of the Facilities Management Plan is expected to take 18 months. State Parks is nearing the end of Stage 1 of the planning process, which was launched last summer and runs for the next several months. Throughout, the public has had opportunities to “learn about technical studies and provide input on visitor experiences.”

“We will continue to open more trails” throughout the process, Spohrer said. ”We'll continue to make places safe.” This will include phased construction of facilities, some of which will be temporary.

“That’s the way we are moving forward with the community, with the public, to recreate this magnificent park for future generations.”

Follow this link to view the completed Basis of Design document, an important step toward moving forward with site planning and design.

Path to Progress

In 2021-22, California State Parks engaged with the public to get feedback on how to proceed with creating the Big Basin of the future.

Mid 2023 - Early 2024—"Learn about technical studies and provide input on visitor experiences." 

Mid-late 2024—“Review site design concepts and provide input on facility preferences.”

Early 2025 —“Learn about preferred design concept and support implementation.”

Meeting Notes: “Reimagining Big Basin,” Felton Community Hall, Feb. 12, 2024

Santa Cruz County Fifth District Supervisor Bruce McPherson kicked off the meeting: “The county is ecstatic that we are making a dedicated effort to rebuild the greatest State Park in California.”

• Trails: Approximately 18 miles of fire roads and seven miles of trail are now open, with 1.5 more expected to open by the end of the summer
• Moving the new visitor center out of the old-growth redwoods area, where the old headquarters was located, was a key part of the process. “Ensure resilience of the old-growth forest,” planner Will Fourt said during his remarks.
• The Basis of Design was informed by feedback from public engagement, including neighbor-impact concerns. Through help from grants, feedback was gathered from Indigenous and members of socioeconomic groups that would otherwise not be able to participate.
• Equitable access to the park is a challenge due to its remote location. When asked how they would have come to the park if it wasn’t through the grant program, a large majority said they would not have come at all.
• People want to see themselves reflected in the park, both as visitors and staff. Diversity is a value being given serious consideration.
• Saddle Mountain has been identified as the most likely location for the new visitor center, shuttle parking, and staff facilities.
• Little Basin will have a campground and group recreation area, with a possible Indigenous ceremonial space.
• Lower Sky Meadow will have the main campground.
• Recovering the old trails is the first priority. Later on there will be a new Road and Trails Management Plan. There will also be a separate Forest Health plan. The planning process being discussed at the meeting is about facilities and infrastructure.
• How long could it be before more remote, longer backcountry trails are available? With current priorities to develop the new facilities and rebuild the trail infrastructure around it, it could be 7 to 10 years before Berry Creek Falls and the full Skyline to the Sea Trail are available.
• Chris Pereira, Roads and Trails Manager for the Santa Cruz District, said it’s hard for people to understand just how much infrastructure was destroyed—bridges, creek crossings, wooden steps burned—and how many downed trees there are along miles and miles of trails. The Berry Creek Falls area, including the large waterfall viewing platform and 80 wooden steps was “incinerated.”
• Good news is that new infrastructure that is built will be better for the environment (such as the old-growth redwoods and fish habitat) and up to the latest standards.
• This summer, in the next phase of this planning process, three different scales of amenity options will be available for review and feedback, from smaller footprint to more robust facilities. It is an exciting time to participate and weigh in with your preferences!

Visit Reimagining Big Basin to learn more and get involved in the future of the park. You can sign up for the email list by scrolling down to the sign up form at the bottom of the page.

Plan your visit to Big Basin and be sure to make a parking reservation online so that you are not turned away due to limited capacity. The $6 day-use parking fee and $2 reservation fee stay local to support the park.

Related:
Day Trips and Sips: Explore Big Basin as it Rebuilds
Camp at Rancho del Oso (the coastal side of Big Basin)

Watch this YouTube video from the Santa Cruz Mountain Bioregional Council for scientific information on forest recovery and research after the CZU Fire.

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