Visit historic hall at Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Visitors to Calaveras Big Trees State Park this month have a rare chance to enter historic Jack Knight Hall, the classic lodge-style building built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. This year for the first time, the hall is open for visitors Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 2 p.m.

The building is decked out for the holidays, with a fire in the hearth, providing a warm spot during cool weather for visitors. Docents will be offering hot drinks.

Jack Knight Hall features classic park architecture, with massive wooden beams and a large stone fireplace. Admission is free, but a park entry fee of $8 per carload is required by the state. The hall is available for public use at other times by arrangement and has been used for seminars, weddings, receptions, luncheons and dinners through the years.

The state park includes 6,000 acres of wilderness and is the spot where gold miners first discovered the giant sequoia trees. The North Grove, with more than 100 giant trees, is a short walk from Jack Knight Hall and is accessible year-round.

On Dec. 28, the Calaveras Big Trees Association will hold a "Winter Wonderland" fund-raiser at the hall. Events include a horse-drawn wagon ride, crafts for children, music, hot chocolate, cider and cookies. The cost is $12.50 for adults, $8.50 for children.

Tickets are available at www.winter2012.eventsbot.com; for more details, call (209) 795-3840.