The Story of An Old-Growth Redwood

Towering above the skyline just west of Woodside stands Methuselah, a majestic old-growth redwood. It’s the largest and oldest living tree in the Santa Cruz Mountains outside of Big Basin.

When you first lay eyes on it, its colossal size defies belief. Its trunk stretches over 14 feet in diameter. That means it would take about 8 average-sized people standing finger to finger with arms outstretched to encircle it. At more than 1,800 years old, it’s witnessed centuries of history — everything from ancient lightning storms to modern-day freeway commutes.

After the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire, Methuselah reminds us of nature’s fierce resilience. While much of the surrounding forest experienced intense burns, old-growth redwoods like Methuselah are built to survive — thanks to thick bark that shields their living core and the ability to sprout new growth even after crown damage. Today, this giant continues to stand tall — a beacon of recovery and hope.

Old-growth redwoods, like our open spaces, carry stories embedded in their rings—stories of resilience, restoration, and collective care. To know Methuselah is to know why we protect these lands. As we step into a future shaped by climate uncertainty, Methuselah shows us that legacy isn’t just about survival. It’s about nurturing landscapes that can thrive through change.

Introducing the Methuselah Tree

217AD

The year Methuselah sprouted, the Ohlone people were the only human inhabitants in the area. They used low-intensity fires to encourage plants to grow and feed tule elk, deer, and pronghorn. Fire also encouraged oaks to grow and support the acorn harvest. Living through these frequent fires was challenging for a young redwood sapling.

500AD

At over 100 feet tall, Methuselah had established its place in the forest. Grizzly bears – abundant in our area until the 19th Century – rubbed their backs against the tree’s rough bark to leave their scent. Scientists believe that this marking behavior helps bears to communicate with one another.

1000 AD

By this time, Methuselah’s bark had thickened for protection against wildfire and insects. Recognizing its amazing durability, the Ohlone people harvested the tough material to use as siding for their dwellings.

The Arrival of Explorers & the Colonial Period

1542 AD

Now towering over much of the San Francisco Bay, Methuselah would witness the arrival of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to explore California’s coast. Like many European mariners in the two centuries to follow, Cabrillo missed the entrance to the San Francisco Bay.

1769 AD

Just downhill from where Methuselah stands, Gaspar de Portolá’s famous expedition to the San Francisco Bay camped by what is now Woodside. Spanish missions soon took hold and low-intensity logging began in the nearby forests.

1821 AD

Mexico gained independence from Spain. The land previously held by Spanish missions would soon become Ranchos overseen by private owners. That’s how Methuselah would find itself a resident of the 35,240-acre Rancho de las Pulgas owned by Jose Dario Arguello.

1849 AD

As settlers flooded into California for the Gold Rush, the demand for lumber skyrocketed in burgeoning San Francisco. As the first water-powered sawmills cropped up in Woodside and Portola Valley, logging dramatically intensified. Newcomers brought with them non-native plants and animals, both intentionally and unintentionally. European grasses outcompeted native species and livestock like pigs and cattle disturbed sensitive forest ecosystems. These species began to alter the delicate balance around Methuselah, impacting everything from soil health to the survival of young redwoods.

1875 AD

By the end of the century, loggers had harvested every commercially viable tree on the east side of the skyline. They likely spared Methuselah because its massive burls and knobs made it too difficult to cut and process.

Methuselah in the 20th Century

1906 AD

At 5:12 AM on the morning of April 18th, a massive earthquake struck, shaking every redwood from Eureka to Salinas. The ensuing fire left San Francisco in ruins, displacing about 250,000 people–half of the city’s population. Soon after, logging in the coast range accelerated to meet the demand of rebuilding the urban centers.

1956 AD

In 1956, the completion of Interstate 280 brought a major artery of suburban expansion to the Santa Cruz Mountains. Just east of Methuselah’s grove, communities like Woodside and San Carlos rapidly grew and demand for housing climbed. Logging roads gave way to cul-de-sacs, and once-remote forests buzzed with new development. Though Methuselah remained rooted in its quiet canyon, the sounds of hammers and cars crept closer — marking a turning point in the human footprint on the landscape it had known for centuries.

1988 AD

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) permanently protected nearby El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. Over the following decades, POST protected adjacent land and transferred it to Midpen for long-term stewardship. Today, Midpen manages the 2,817-acre preserve and its forest for conservation and recreation. Methuselah still stands nearby, rooted on land owned by the California Water Service Company.

An Old-Growth Redwood in the New Millennium

2020 AD

In August 2020, the CZU Lightning Complex Fire swept through the Santa Cruz Mountains. It burned over 86,000 acres, destroying homes, forests, and cherished landscapes — including Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Though the fire came notably close, it avoided Methuselah’s grove. Though Methuselah’s thick bark would have kept it safe from the flames, the less fire resistant species growing around the great tree were spared.

How to Visit Methuselah

Methuselah stands just east of Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard), about 3.3 miles north of the Sky Londa/Alice’s Restaurant junction and 0.5 miles south of Caltrans’ Skeggs Vista Point. You can park on the west side of Skyline at the El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve lot, then carefully cross the road to the east side and follow a short trail down to the tree. Watch out for cars rounding the corner quickly.

California Water Service Company owns the land where this iconic old-growth redwood grows and generously allows public access. Methuselah is visible from the road, but to truly appreciate its grandeur, walk through the gate and take the trail to its base. Please respect the property and leave only footprints.

Happy trails!