Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Redwood National Park. Near Orick, California.

During her 1960’s stint as First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson promoted many beautification and conservation projects, and was a staunch advocate for the creation of Redwood National Park. With her help, conservationists prevailed upon a recalcitrant Congress to acquire land for the new park. In 1968, the First Lady attended the park dedication ceremony in what today is named Lady Bird Johnson Grove. Somewhat ironically, it was Lyndon Johnson’s longtime political foe, President Richard Nixon, who dedicated the grove to Lady Bird Johnson the following year. An easy, self-guiding nature trail (pamphlet available at the trailhead) loops through the redwoods that crown Bald Hills Ridge. Numerous benches en route offer a chance to rest and to contemplate the park below. While hiking the trail you emerge from the redwoods to gaze out past an ugly clear-cut to the coast. Much of the vista is now protected state and national park domain; it would no doubt all be stump-land had conservationists of the 1960s and after failed in their efforts.