The Redwood Gateway

The Gateway Old Growth Redwood, like its cousin the van Eck Old Growth Redwood, escaped the axe blade and ended up in public hands.

Upon the 2 acres of land donated to California State Parks by Agnes van Eck in 1971 sat precious few old growth redwood trees. In fact, had there been more valuable redwoods the parcels may have been purchased by the Loma Prieta Lumber Company for timber harvesting back in the late 1800s. So, as it turned out, visitors to The First of Nisene Marks State Park are now greeted by not one but two magnificent old growth redwoods before their hike even begins!

The Gateway Old Growth Redwood got its name not only from its welcoming location along Aptos Creek Road at the park’s entrance, but also because of its awe inspiring fire-charred hollow cavity which forms a sort of archway. Bearing the scars of fires long since forgotten, before the land was plundered as a natural resource then cast off, this sort of '“goosepen” is not uncommon among surviving old growth redwoods in heavily logged areas.

Park visitors can find other examples like this throughout the forest, but no other greets visitors right at the gateway to The Forest of Nisene Marks. Vehicles along the road may rightfully never look up at it, but those walking, running, or cycling into the park should stop for a moment to reflect upon this magnificent living being. Surrounded by (and sometimes scaled by!) invasive English ivy, this ancient treasure sits now in a land no longer natural. It is now our responsibility, as public inheritors of the land, to steward it responsibly.