Seventh Stop - Redwoods National Park - June 17 to 20, 2018
The drive from Lassen to Redwoods National Park took 6 or more hours. I had no idea all of northern California was so mountainous. Our Lazy Daze RV got quite a workout -- up and down over and over. We took a more direct route instead of getting on an Interstate. Quite beautiful, but not for people afraid of heights, when you're rounding curves on a steep cliff with no guard rail!
California had the foresight to set aside land for state parks before the national park system got going. So although we are in Redwoods National Park, much of it is in partnership with state parks, and we were camping in the northern section - Jedediah Smith State Park and campground. These redwood trees are the tallest on earth. 95% of the redwoods were cut down starting in the mid-1800's. Fortunately, California and then the federal government preserved the remaining 5%. They are amazing. This campground is beautiful - very private spots - all with their own redwoods! The downside is that our solar panels sure didn't generate any power! We were definitely under a "shade canopy". The weather was cloudy most mornings (foggy on the coast, but we were maybe 10 miles inland), but when the sun came out later you could hardly tell.
Our first day, we went to Stout Grove. A large grove of large redwoods. Easy trail. Totally mind boggling. Went into the town of Crescent City for a Home Depot, CVS and grocery store run, and had lunch at an oceanside restaurant. The campground had its own series of trails with interpretive signs, and views of the Smith River. Great for coffee and happy hour walks!
Second day - wow. We did a hike called Damnation Creek. It was foggy but the sun was shining through the redwoods. Spectacular. After several miles, first through redwoods and then other trees (redwoods don't like salt water), we arrived at the Pacific Ocean. Oh - the official trail signs said that a bridge was closed to get there. . . someone had scrawled in the dirt that the creek was passable. . . . who did we believe??? This trail is one of my favorites ever. The Pacific is so wild.
Third day - we took a 6 plus
mile round trip hike to Hidden Beach. It was quite foggy today. The trail is part of the Pacific Coast Trail. It was in turns grassy, wooded, up and down. Views along the way of the ocean but often in a forest. Then there is Hidden Beach! only a couple other people were there. Amazing watching the ocean waves coming in on the rocks. Saw some seastars clinging to rocks. The fog seemed to thicken on the way back to trailhead, very misty! Beautiful. and that's what redwoods like - rain and moisture.
sorry again about redundant pictures and out of order. I need a remedial class in blogging.
Had a great breakfast at the Hiouchi Cafe the morning we left Redwoods. 6 egg omelet! we split it.
California had the foresight to set aside land for state parks before the national park system got going. So although we are in Redwoods National Park, much of it is in partnership with state parks, and we were camping in the northern section - Jedediah Smith State Park and campground. These redwood trees are the tallest on earth. 95% of the redwoods were cut down starting in the mid-1800's. Fortunately, California and then the federal government preserved the remaining 5%. They are amazing. This campground is beautiful - very private spots - all with their own redwoods! The downside is that our solar panels sure didn't generate any power! We were definitely under a "shade canopy". The weather was cloudy most mornings (foggy on the coast, but we were maybe 10 miles inland), but when the sun came out later you could hardly tell.
Our first day, we went to Stout Grove. A large grove of large redwoods. Easy trail. Totally mind boggling. Went into the town of Crescent City for a Home Depot, CVS and grocery store run, and had lunch at an oceanside restaurant. The campground had its own series of trails with interpretive signs, and views of the Smith River. Great for coffee and happy hour walks!
Second day - wow. We did a hike called Damnation Creek. It was foggy but the sun was shining through the redwoods. Spectacular. After several miles, first through redwoods and then other trees (redwoods don't like salt water), we arrived at the Pacific Ocean. Oh - the official trail signs said that a bridge was closed to get there. . . someone had scrawled in the dirt that the creek was passable. . . . who did we believe??? This trail is one of my favorites ever. The Pacific is so wild.
Third day - we took a 6 plus
sorry again about redundant pictures and out of order. I need a remedial class in blogging.
Had a great breakfast at the Hiouchi Cafe the morning we left Redwoods. 6 egg omelet! we split it.
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