The Pioneer Cabin tree, a giant sequoia in central California's Calaveras Big Trees State Park, has drawn visitors since at least the 1880s, when a private landowner carved a tunnel out of the massive trunk.
At first, only hikers passed through the tree, but cars were later granted permission to drive through, a privilege the park revoked in recent years.
Park rangers told Sacramento's CBS13 that the tree fell around 2pm on Sunday (local time), toppled by a storm that swept through the region. Its shallow roots may have been a primary factor in its collapse, rangers said.
There are still plenty of other big trees in the park, found along more than 16km of trails. The North Grove Trail -- where the Pioneer Cabin tree stood -- is often considered the highlight of the park, with 2.4km of old growth Sierra pine, lodgepole pine and giant sequoias.
The North Grove Trail, however, is temporarily closed, as crews work to clean up several downed trees along it -- the Pioneer Cabin tree among them.
