Welcome to Tolowa Dunes, home of the Tolowa Dee-ni'
The name of this place is Ch’vs-k’i Tee-ne. Explore the trails and nature preserved in the central portion of the park!
Tolowa Dunes- Kellogg Rd
Welcome to Tolowa Dunes State Park, located on the wild and rugged North Coast of California. With over 4,000 acres of park to explore, there is so much to see. These trails in the central region show some of the best the park has to offer!
The names of species are written first in Wee-ya', the language of the Tolowa Dee-ni', and second in English.
North Ponds Hike
Moderate, 6.6 miles out-and-back
Explore this 3.3 mile each way trail that weaves through forests, dunes, ponds, and marshes. As you hike, stay on the lookout for birds and other animals that call the forested portion of the park home.
A Wetland Wonderland
As you explore the Tolowa Dunes, you will journey through a variety of aqueous ecosystems, including marshes, wetlands, and ponds. These environments host a diverse array of life, with creatures uniquely adapted to thrive both in water and on land. Among them are the remarkable amphibians.
Some amphibians you might encounter at Tolowa Dunes are:
- Rough Skinned Newt
- Coastal Giant Salamander
- Pacific Chorus Frog
Ee-lii~-ch'e Rough Skinned Newt
Within Tolowa Dunes forests and wetlands, the rough skinned newt thrives. They dwell in both land and water, returning to water for breeding. In dry summers, they seek refuge in ponds, lakes, and streams. During winter, they hibernate in underground retreats.
This newts colorful hues, spanning from gentle browns to somber blacks, are complemented by a granular texture that distinguishes it from other amphibians.
Beneath this newts exterior lies a potent defense mechanism — an intricate network of glands secreting a toxin potent enough to deter even the most ravenous predators. These newts secrete a toxin known as tetrodotoxin from specialized glands within their skin. This toxin serves as a powerful deterrent, capable of causing paralysis or even death if ingested by unsuspecting predators.
Rough skinned newts engage in an ongoing evolutionary race with garter snakes, their primary predators. As the newts evolve to produce higher levels of toxicity, the garter snakes, in turn, adapt to develop greater resistance to this toxicity. This perpetual competition underscores the dynamic interplay between predator and prey, each pushing the boundaries of their defenses in a bid for survival.
Sree-k'e'-xvm-ni Pacific Giant Salamander
The Pacific giant salamander showcases a striking marbled gold, brown, and black appearance. It is the largest terrestrial salamander in North America, boasting lengths of up to 13.4 inches. As they age, the marbling on their bodies fades, often remaining only on the head of elder individuals.
These creatures primarily inhabit streams within wetlands and forests. Although they predominantly reside in stream environments, they may also venture into larger flowing water bodies and connected still water habitats.
Unlike most salamanders, the Pacific giant salamander possesses a unique defensive behavior—audible growls when threatened. This rare trait adds an intriguing dimension to their character, highlighting their ability to communicate in ways uncommon among amphibians. When perceiving a threat, they emit these growls as part of their defensive repertoire, adding to the unique characteristics of these forest inhabitants.
K'wee-lhin'-chu Pacific Chorus Frog
The Pacific Chorus Frog is a captivating amphibian found across Western North America. With its striking appearance, it boasts a large head, prominent eyes, and a slender body adorned with distinctive markings. Notably, a dark mask-like stripe extends from its nostrils to its shoulders, adding to its allure. Its skin can exhibit a range of hues, from vibrant greens to earthy browns, with occasional variations in intensity and pattern. Equipped with long, slender legs and adhesive toe pads, it navigates its habitat with agility, whether scaling vegetation or darting after prey.
Beyond its appearance, the Pacific Chorus Frog showcases intriguing social dynamics and adaptive capabilities. Renowned for its melodic calls, it forms lively choruses dominated by a leading male whose resonant "ribbit" initiates the symphony, followed by the chorus of subordinate males.
This species also exhibits remarkable color-changing abilities, triggered by alterations in background brightness. This aids in camouflage and thermal regulation.
East Pond Loop
Moderate, 6.2 miles loop
This trail loop weaves past meadows and through forested dunes, with several pond overlooks along the way. Explore a diverse array of habitats that are home to many unique animals within the park. This trail is great for viewing wildlife like birds and even porcupines!
Enchanted Forests of Tolowa Dunes
Nestled along the remote Northern California coast, Tolowa Dunes State Park harbors ancient forests teeming with life. Centuries-old coast pine, grand fir, and Sitka spruce rise majestically among the shifting sands, forming a canopy that shades a dense carpet of bracken fern, false lily-of-the-valley, and kinnikinnick. Groves of huckleberry, salmonberry, and thimbleberry burst with summer fruits, attracting porcupines, birds, and hikers alike.
Xii Sitka Spruce
Within Tolowa Dunes' ancient forests, Sitka spruce stand tall, bearing witness to centuries of coastal resilience. Here, the largest Sitka spruce forest in California thrives.
Atop their crowns, elongated cones with paper thin scales adorn the branches, while beneath, their needles offer a vibrant bluish-green canopy. One of the best ways to identify this species is to look for their distinctive bark, broken up and scaly, resembling potato chips stuck to the tree.
These trees provide vital habitat and sustenance for many species, from browsing deer to nesting eagles. Beneath their canopies, a diverse array of flora and fauna thrives. Exploring the forest floor, you can find delicate lichens, lush ferns, and elusive amphibians, each playing a crucial role in the intricate web of coastal ecology.
The significance of Sitka spruce extends beyond their role as habitat providers. As carbon sequesters, they absorb excess carbon in the atmosphere to help mitigate climate change. Their versatile wood can be used to produce things from paper to musical instruments. This species has also been used medicinally among various indigenous tribes for its antiseptic qualities in the treatment of lung and throat problems, sores, and wounds.
As custodians of coastal harmony, Sitka spruce reminds us of the interconnectedness of life within Tolowa Dunes' ecosystem.
Daa~-sraa~-k'ay-dan' Bracken Fern
Bracken Ferns are one of the most common and widespread genus of ferns in the Pacific Northwest. These large, sturdy, upright ferns give way to gracefully drooping foliage.
Bracken are among the largest species of ferns, known for their robust growth. Underground, their deep-growing rhizomes (underground stems) may extend to about a quarter of a mile in length, contributing to their remarkable adaptability and ability to cover vast areas. These ferns' tiny yet mighty spores spread effortlessly, enabling them to colonize diverse environments globally. Despite toxicity to mammals, insects like moth caterpillars and aphids feed on them, showcasing complex ecological interactions.
Bracken colonies provide cover for wildlife, creating microhabitats supporting biodiversity. Their dense foliage offers protection, making them vital sanctuaries for various species. They also contribute to soil stabilization, erosion control, and nutrient cycling, enhancing ecosystem resilience.
As guardians of the forest understory, bracken ferns embody Tolowa Dunes' enduring spirit, a reminder of nature's capacity for growth and renewal.
Discover the intricate tapestry of life within Tolowa Dunes State Park, where towering trees, sprawling ferns, and diverse amphibian species thrive amidst the coastal landscape. Delve into the vibrant ecosystems of forests, marshes, and wetlands, where every step unveils the interconnectedness of nature's wonders.
