Redwood National Park Issues Warning About Visiting World’s Tallest Tree ($5000 Fine/6 Months Jail)

Francis Xavier

2 years ago

“As a visitor, you must decide if you will be part of the preservation of this unique landscape – or will you be part of its destruction?”

If you’re thinking about paying a visit to the world’s tallest tree, I suggest you think twice. NPR reports California’s Redwood National Park has issued a warning that anyone caught near Hyperion, which is now officially off-limits to visitors, faces a $5,000 fine and up to six months in jail. Certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest tree, Hyperion stands at an incredible 380 feet tall (1.25 the size of the Statue of Liberty). The gigantic coast redwood tree and the area around it has suffered notable environmental degradation from tourists have visited it since its discovery on August 25th, 2006 and the park is laying down the line…you break the rules, you will be punished. Find the statement issued below and full details HERE:

Should I Hike to Hyperion?

As a visitor you must decide…Will you be part of the park’s preservation? Or part of the problem?

There is no trail to Hyperion. Hyperion is located within a closed area. Hiking within this closure could result in a $5,000 fine and 6 months in jail.

Since its “discovery” in 2006, this tree has been on many tree-enthusiast’s bucket lists. Hyperion is located off trail through dense vegetation and requires heavy ‘bushwhacking’ in order to reach the tree. Despite the difficult journey, increased popularity due to bloggers, travel writers, and websites of this off-trail tree has resulted in the devastation of the habitat surrounding Hyperion. As a visitor, you must decide if you will be part of the preservation of this unique landscape – or will you be part of its destruction?

The Fine Print (Legalities)

The following listed activities are illegal within Redwood National & State Parks. These activities are listed in the Redwood National Park Compendium as follows.

The following area is closed to public access to protect park resources. The closure includes Tom McDonald Creek and the surrounding area upstream from its confluence with RedwoodCreek”. This includes all park areas inside the following five GPS points.
1) 41°12.689N 124°1.343W eastbound to –
2) 41°12.605N 124°0.889W southeast following the west side of the Redwood Creek streambed along the tree line to –
3) 41°12.407N 124°0.492W southwest to –
4) 41°11..879N 124°0.788W westbound to –
5) 41°11.783N 124°1.302W northbound back to #1 following the G61 Road. The closure will follow the east side of the road at the tree line.
Determination: This area contains sensitive and unique park resources that require limited human exposure to protect these resources.
Climbing any tree is prohibited without a research permit issued by the NPS that specifically authorizes this activity. During the spotted owl and marbled murrelet breeding season a United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) approved Section 10(a)(1)(A) permit is also required.
Launching, landing or operating an unmanned aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Redwood National Park is prohibited except as approved in writing by the superintendent.