The tree, which is deep in the park and has no trails leading to it, has faced serious environmental degradation from thrill-seekers visiting it since 2006, when it was found by a pair of naturalists.
The coast redwood (sequoia sempervirens) is 115.92 meters (380 feet) tall and its name is derived from Greek mythology — Hyperion was one of the Titans and the father of the sun god Helios and the moon goddess Selene.
Hyperion’s trunk diameter is 4.84 meters (13 feet).
Stephen Moehle/Shutterstock
“Hyperion is located off-trail through dense vegetation and requires ‘heavy bushwhacking’ to reach the tree,” a statement on the national park’s website says.
“Despite the difficult journey, the increased popularity due to bloggers, travel writers and websites of this off-trail tree has resulted in the destruction of the habitat surrounding Hyperion,” the statement said. “As a visitor, you must decide whether you will be part of preserving this unique landscape – or will you be part of destroying it?”
In addition to the erosion and damage caused to the base of the tree, there are secondary issues resulting from an influx of people.
“There was litter and people were creating even more side paths to use the bathroom. They leave used toilet paper and human waste — that’s not a good thing,” Arguello said.
Human visitors are not the only danger to these giant trees.
Wildfires are a growing concern throughout California’s national parks.
In 2021, officials at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks took extreme measures to protect some of the world’s largest trees from fire.
Hyperion tree image via Shutterstock
