Last Chance

Last Chance is the name of the privat road which leads from the western boundary of Big Basin into the Park. It starts out as a ridge road between Wadell and Scott creek and then winds for about 8 miles through tracks of privat land with quite a number of spur roads and private drives leading off it. Locally last chance also refers to the region of forest, or I should say forests, which it traverses. I am using the plural form here, because as one starts to travel on this beautiful, at time treacherous road, one encounters quite a few different micro climates which change every few miles and give distinct character to the landscape and vegitation. From open meadows and pine forest in the front it leads into mixed and finally redwood forest.Where ever a spur- or timber road brings you up to the peaks with stunning views of forest and  the Pacific ocean,it will also bring you into a desert like chaperel environment above the fog and the majestic redwood trees. And finally Last Chance describes or is at times synonymous with the community of people who live here. It started here in the 60's with people, who were opposed to the Vietnam war, consumerism and the disregard of the natural environment, moved here to start an alternative community. With the exception of a few ancient trees the great redwood forest had been clear cut and was left in a state of utter destruction. For a personal account of the time and circumstances view the CTV's (local TV station)recording of: " Davenport Oral History #39, Last Chance Residents"

to be continued......