"The historic Pioneer Cabin Tree, a former 'drive-through' giant sequoia in Calaveras Big Trees State Park in Calaveras County, was felled in California's weekend storms.

The tree was hollowed out in the 1880s to allow tourists to pass through it, and even allowed cars, but more recently has hosted only hikers. It was part of the "Big Trees Trail" at the state park.

Jim Allday of Arnold is a volunteer at the park who was working there Sunday. He said the tree went down about 2 p.m. and "shattered" on impact. He said people had been walking through the tree as recently as Sunday."

Peter Hockaday reports for the San Francisco Chronicle January 9, 2017. [2]