Storm Topples Northern California's Historic 'Tunnel' Tree

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — A devastating winter storm that roared through Northern California over the weekend has felled one of the more famous trees in the Bay Area. The Pioneer Cabin Tree, perhaps better known as the Drive-Through Tree, was discovered toppled on Jan. 8, a victim of Mother Nature.

The giant sequoia was located in Calaveras Big Trees State Park in Calaveras County. Park volunteer Jim Allday said he found the collapsed tree on Sunday as a major storm barreled over Central and Northern California.

"We lost an old friend today," Allday said in a Facebook post.

"The storm was just too much for it," the Calaveras Big Trees Association wrote on Facebook after learning the news.

The historic tree, which was believed to be more than 1,000 years old, had been a popular tourist site since the 1880s when a group of pioneers carved out the center. The opening was large enough that cars were allowed to drive through, although that was curtailed in recent years as the tree's deteriorating health and shallow roots made it hazardous to the public.

In its final days, it leaned heavily to one side, even before the region-wide winter storms that left it in pieces.

Images courtesy Jim Allday