Jug Handle State Natural Reserve, Nature reserve on the Pacific coast in Mendocino County, United States.
The reserve spans 776 acres along the Pacific coast, featuring marine terraces, coastal bluffs, and diverse forest ecosystems with walking trails.
The area gained protected status in 1976 after local activists and conservationist John Olmsted prevented logging and development through legal action.
The ecological staircase trail guides visitors through three distinct terraces, each representing 100,000 years of plant evolution and natural progression.
Visitors can access the reserve year-round via California State Route 1, with designated parking areas and facilities near the entrance.
The reserve contains a rare pygmy forest with miniature cypresses and pines, designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1969.
Location: Mendocino County
GPS coordinates: 39.37351,-123.79895
Latest update: March 5, 2025 20:10
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