Storm damage repairs underway at Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Big Basin Redwoods State Park is already seeing traffic from Memorial Day weekend visitors.

“The view was pretty amazing because you get to see really far out,” said Noah True of Felton. “The nature was really breathtaking.”

But it’s been a tough year for the park. Winter rainstorms have caused extensive damage.

“The rain caused a lot of erosion, a lot of downed trees, a lot of trail structures damaged,” said Jeremy Lin, Interpreter at the Rancho Del Oso, Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

State parks crews and volunteers are working to rehab the park, which spans about 18,000 acres.

“Helping to rebuild trails, doing brushwork,” said Lin. “Clearing drainage, rebuilding bridges, all sorts of stuff.”

Park officials are estimating the damages to be in the millions.

“We’re getting FEMA money so we have some federal employees coming to survey some of the damage,” said Lin.

While visitors are able to still enjoy parts of Big Basin, officials said they do not know when it will be completely up and running.

“I love taking the hike to the sea from Big Basin and I know that some of that is eroded,” said Sandra Herranen of Ben Lomond. “So there’s detours but I want to get out there soon and see it.”