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The tree, which is deep in the park and has no road leading to it, has suffered severe environmental damage since 2006 when it was discovered by naturalists.
The coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) is 115.92 meters (380 feet) tall and its name comes from Greek mythology — Hyperion was one of the Titans and the father of the sun god Helios and the moon woman Selene.
Hyperion’s trunk diameter is 4.84 meters (13 feet).
Stephen Moehle / Shutterstock
A description on the national park’s website reads: “Hyperion is located off the road in dense vegetation and requires difficult ‘bushs’ to reach the tree.”
“Despite the difficult journey, the increasing popularity of this trail from bloggers, travel writers and web sites has led to habitat destruction around Hyperion,” the statement said. “As a visitor, you must decide whether you want to be a part of the preservation of this unique landscape – or will you be a part of its destruction?”
In addition to erosion and damage to the tree’s base, there are secondary issues from public flooding.
“It was littered, and people were creating more detours to use the bathroom. They left behind used toilet paper and human waste — not a good thing,” Arguello said.
Human visitors are not the only threat to these giant trees.
Wildfires are a growing threat throughout California’s national parks.
In the year In 2021, officials at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have taken drastic measures to protect some of the world’s largest trees from fire.
Hyperion tree image via Shutterstock
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