It’s not often that I put something on my travel wish list that is close to home. Recently, however, I’ve had a growing desire to hike to Hyperion, the tallest tree in the world. I live up in Humboldt County, California (of Murder Mountain fame), home to the coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), the tallest living organism on the planet. I’ve seen plenty of tall redwoods, but I have yet to see the tallest redwood.
A day trip to Hyperion is something I’d like to do either this late spring or early summer. It about a 2-hour drive to where we’d start the hike, but it should still be doable as a day trip. There are a few hurdles, however. The first is that the location isn’t officially published. But there is now plenty of internet info on how to get to Hyperion. It shouldn’t be difficult to find.
Researching How to Find Hyperion
Prior to Hyperion’s discovery, the tallest tree in the world was located in a remote area of Redwood National Park. Researchers closely guarded its location, knowing that people would want to visit them. Given the enormous size of these redwoods, there is pretty much zero risk anyone would cut one down or damage it. I believe the concern has been simply to limit the foot traffic off of established trails to these giants. Hyperion, however, although located in a less-visited area of the park, is much more accessible.
The world’s tallest tree is located in “Hyperion Valley” along Redwood Creek within the Redwood National Park. You can access it by driving to the Tall Trees Grove parking area, which is a bit of a trek compared to other popular sites within the parks. There is an entire site dedicated to our famous redwoods, and it is here that I found the most definitive directions on how to find Hyperion. Latitude and longitude to plug into a GPS unit are even included. When I’d previously looked up how to find Hyperion, the directions weren’t so incredibly simple.
The hike is less than two miles, but you do have to cross Redwood Creek, which is one reason why the hike will be best in the late spring or early summer when the flow should be minimal. Waiting until late summer would be easiest in terms of both weather and water level. Only about half a mile is off-trail.
Other Extremely Tall Trees
Hyperion is not alone as the only mega-tall tree. It stands at an impressive 380 feet. But there are several hot on its heels. Helios, the second tallest tree, is only three feet shorter. There are several others that are also over 370 feet tall.
It is interesting to note is that Hyperion may not remain the tallest tree in the world. There is another tree, Paradox, located in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. It’s currently the 5th tallest tree in the world, but at its current growth rate, it will eventually surpass Hyperion (and the 3 others on the list between them) in about a decade. Hysterically, this tree is located 3 minutes from the Rockefeller Loop Trail parking lot. No hiding this one! If it does eventually become the tallest tree, it will surely see tons of traffic.
Final Thoughts
Whether the National Park really wanted to or not, there is no hiding Hyperion’s location now. Some people might disagree with the decision to take an “off trail” hike to see this wonder of nature. Given that the cat is out of the bag, I honestly think it would be most prudent for the park to develop a permanent trail to the tree so everyone could enjoy it.
Have you happened to visit Hyperion, the world’s tallest tree? This is the one local trip I have slated for this summer, and I’m quite excited about it!
Do you currently know the number of folks that visit this tourist attraction, Hyperion? And apparently, there seem to be many other interesting attractions at this Redwood National Park? Imagine if someone had a map that showed them the spatial distribution of interesting and popular tourist attractions that are close by so that one can easily plan visits and navigate around them. I think that will save everyone from a lot of stress. Anyway, thanks for sharing this location. Best
Here’s another perspective I doubt anyone has thought of regarding the locations of these incredible trees. What about if someone (a guest to the area) could pay or make a donation to the local town or guide or Save the redwoods group, ect. to see the trees? I don’t have the luxury to see the trees except for a few days a year – being from out of state. I’m just here to try to come up with some kind of solution (or at least get us on the road to it), not to bombard another with threatening or hateful… Read more »
I do agree that there are plenty to see from easily accessible trails. But those aren’t the tallest. People always want to see the tallest, best, etc.
I think the solution for Hyperion is to create a trail. If they need local money to supplement the NPS, then that is a reasonable solution. More reasonable would be for the Park to create one from their budget. It’s not that far.
Dumb question but here goes: how much does it really matter which tree is tallest when they’re all ridiculously tall? Assuming you can even get a great view with good perspective, wouldn’t that perspective be warped by a lack of context? One giant tree among other giant trees? This is not meant to belittle your plan btw.
You sound like my dad! He asked if we’d even be able to really see the top from the base. It is in a general “grove” of tall trees, so the impressiveness will certainly be relative. The reality is that it could not exist on its own. Would have fallen down centuries ago. Redwoods have to grow together to provide stability through intertwined root systems.
I still think it will be cool nonetheless.
I had the same plan and then decided to not be part of the problem. If the parks ever make a trail to it I will go. You can see the 3rd largest tree on the trail (which is only a few feet shorter). And yeah, it’s already published online but you don’t have to make it easier by linking to it. Not only are you part of the destruction of this ecosystem, you have made access infinitely easier for others to contribute to the destruction of it as well.. At the least if you NEED to experience it, take… Read more »
People are way more likely to land on that site already over my blog via Google. Sure, my backlink to them helps. It would be wisest of the park service to simply create a trail.
I do recall when it was truly difficult to get any information on Hyperion. For years I knew there was the tallest tree was remote and north of Orick somwhere, but that was it.
If you give up the location to this tree your a pos and need to be stomped remember it’s a small place out here and you will disappear if you play games like this with these sacred trees. We have kept this secret along time. Watch yourself
As far as I understand (and where I got the coordinates), it is already publicly published online. I am aware that it was a closely-guarded secret for a long time. I plan to publish a bit about it, but not the actual location.