Explore this Secluded Wheelchair-Accessible Redwood Grove
Off-the-beaten-path is a definite selling point when you’re talking about a wine country picnic area and nature trail. Add in a redwood grove that’s completely overlooked by most Sonoma County visitors, and you’ve piqued my interest. Top it off with good wheelchair access, and you’ve hit a home run in my book. And that’s exactly what you have at the Grove of Old Trees, a peaceful, secluded and wheelchair-accessible grove of majestic Coastal Redwoods.
Getting There
This privately owned grove occupies 48 ridgetop acres, and the best part is, there’s absolutely no charge to visit it. This is largely due to the efforts of LandPaths (www.landpaths.org), a Sonoma County non-profit whose mission is to preserve wild lands for public access. Today the grove holds a Forever Wild conservation easement, which means that these magnificent old redwoods can never be logged.
The grove is actually located in a private housing development in Occidental, but finding it can be a bit tricky. The street address is 17599 Fitzpatrick Lane, but since cell reception is spotty in places, it’s best to take along some back-up directions, just in case.
From the Bohemian Highway in Occidental, turn on Coleman Valley Road and continue on up the hill for about two miles. When you reach Joy Road bear left, as Coleman Valley Road continues straight ahead. Go about .3 miles, then make a left on Fitzpatrick Lane, and follow the road up the hill. It should be noted that this is a winding steep road, and at times it narrows to just one lane, so take it slow and be on the lookout for oncoming traffic. After about another 1.5 miles, you’ll cross a cattle grate and soon you’ll see a sign for the Grove of Old Trees. The small parking area is just a little further up on the right. To be honest, the drive is pretty pleasant, and it kind of sets the mood for the grove.
Enjoy the Redwoods
There’s no striped parking in the small parking area, but it’s level and not usually not crowded. From the parking area head over to the right under the wooden archway, then take a left and pass the bulletin board.
Bear left when you get to the fork and head over to Anne’s Circle. Not only is this the heart of the grove, but there’s also an accessible picnic table under the trees. It’s the perfect spot for a quiet and reflective lunch break. Afterwards continue on and make a right when you get to the fence – if you take a left that trail will take you back out to the parking area.
The trail to the right continues along through the grove and circles back out to the parking lot. The hard-packed dirt trail is well kept by volunteers, and although there are a few roots along the way, they are pretty easy to dodge. And although the trail is not entirely level it’s quite doable for most wheelchair-users and slow walkers. It’s about a half-mile loop through the lush redwood grove, and it makes an excellent – and very relaxing break. And again, it’s pleasantly devoid of the crowds that you’ll find in the larger redwood groves.
