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Sunshine through charred trees and sprouts of green at Big Basin.
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Back to Big Basin: Inside the beloved state park as it reopens post-CZU fire

Sunshine through charred trees and sprouts of green at Big Basin.

Sunshine through charred trees and sprouts of green at Big Basin. (Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

A new kiosk greets visitors returning to Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

A new kiosk greets visitors returning to Big Basin Redwoods State Park. (Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

An interpretive panel touts the hardy redwoods that are Big Basin's namesake.

An interpretive panel touts the hardy redwoods that are Big Basin’s namesake. (Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

Reminders of Big Basin's recent past tower alongside a new pathway.

Reminders of Big Basin’s recent past tower alongside a new pathway. (Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

Zora Martin Etemadi and Cruz Cooper taken in the newly reopened portion of Big Basin.

Zora Martin Etemadi and Cruz Cooper taken in the newly reopened portion of Big Basin. (Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

Jeff Herbest biked from San Jose to Big Basin

Jeff Herbest biked from San Jose — a 46-mile round trip — for his first visit to Big Basin since the summer before the 2020 CZU fire. (Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

A State Parks volunteer gives visitors an overview of what's changed at Big Basin in the wake of the 2020 CZU fire.

A State Parks volunteer gives visitors an overview of what’s changed at Big Basin in the wake of the 2020 CZU fire. (Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

Messages from visitors celebrate the reopening of Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

Messages from visitors celebrate the reopening of Big Basin Redwoods State Park. (Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

A new visitor information area.

A new visitor information area. (Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

Visitors map out their return to Big Basin.

Visitors map out their return to Big Basin. (Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

An interpretive panel marks the spot where Big Basin's visitor center used to sit.

An interpretive panel marks the spot where Big Basin’s visitor center used to sit. (Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

The Skyline to the Sea Trail remains closed.

The Skyline to the Sea Trail remains closed. (Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

Visitors cross a new bridge near the Big Basin visitor center.

Visitors cross a new bridge near the Big Basin visitor center. (Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

Big Basin's new visitor center.

Big Basin’s new visitor center. (Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

Santa Cruz residents Tera Martin and Malalai Martin Etemadi enjoying the view.

Santa Cruz residents Tera Martin and Malalai Martin Etemadi enjoying the view. (Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

Burn piles are scattered throughout the reopened portion of Big Basin.

Burn piles are scattered throughout the reopened portion of Big Basin. (Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

An interpretive panel fills visitors in on preservation efforts.

An interpretive panel fills visitors in on preservation efforts. (Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

Green sprouts from and around charred trees at Big Basin.

Green sprouts from and around charred trees at Big Basin. (Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

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