Popular giant sequoia trail to reopen

Southern Sierra’s Trail of 100 Giants was hit by fires that killed thousands of redwoods

One of California’s most popular spots for ogling giant sequoias, the Trail of 100 Giants in Giant Sequoia National Monument, will reopen to the public Friday after being hit by last summer’s devastating Windy Fire.

The trail and its 1,500-yearold trees were among the sprawling tracts of sequoia forest burned in wildfires over the past two years. Nearly onefifth of all sequoias are believed to have died in the blazes.

The Trail of 100 Giants, which runs through the Long Meadow Grove about 120 miles southeast of Fresno, fared better than many areas struck by fire and still sports plenty of patches of green, say officials at Sequoia National Forest, which manages the national monument.

“There are some areas that show damage, but most areas are in great shape,” said Alicia Embrey, spokesperson for the national forest.

One section of trail will remain closed to the public because of a burned bridge. Several trees toppled nearby.

“You have a chance to get a

Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle A grove of giant sequoia trees in Mountain Home State Demonstration Forest outside Springville (Tulare County). Crews and research teams have been planting trees in reforestation projects.