Long-disputed ancient California forest opens to hikers

The Headwaters Forest grove had been the largest expanse of old-growth redwoods in private ownership RELATED VIDEO KRON's David Wright takes the six- mile hike into the new park Windows Media 28K 80K

EUREKA, California (CNN) -- After years of controversy pitting environmental activists against timber interests, a five-square-mile grove of centuries-old redwood trees in Northern California has officially opened to hikers.

But you'll have to be hearty to see it.

New signs, a small parking area and a portable toilet welcome visitors at the northern entrance to the Headwaters Forest Reserve in Humboldt County.

But there are no trails into the grove, which had been the largest expanse of old-growth redwoods in private ownership. Getting there takes a six-mile hike on a trail that used to be an unpaved road used by logging trucks.

The federal and state governments together bought the Headwaters as part of a $480 million deal that imposes logging restrictions on the rest of Pacific Lumber Co.'s property for the next 50 years.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which took ownership of the grove on March 1 and opened the area to hikers on Monday, hopes within a few months to open public access along a southern route.

Watch this report from David Wright of CNN affiliate KRON and see for yourself the pristine beauty of the Headwaters Forest Reserve.

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