Breakfast first, of course, Here we are at the Vita Cucina Bakery in Crescent City. We had read that they had wonderful treats in their bakery section. Here are our selections: cherry cream cheese croissants.
We like to hike as you know from this blog. We’ve done all kinds of hikes: flat hikes through the deserts of the Southwest, summiting hikes where we reach the top of a mountain, long hikes, short hikes, challenging hikes. But, today we took a fun hike: not long, not high, not strenuous, just a lot of fun. It’s called the Fern Canyon Hike in the Prairie Creek Redwood State Park. It’s through a narrow canyon with 50’ sides covered with ferns.
A cold water creek runs through the canyon and then there are the trees that have fallen down into the canyon. You can just stride forward knowing you’re going to get wet in the creek, you can jump hoping to reach the other side of the stream or you can climb over, under and around the tree branches, limbs and roots to keep your feet dry. And, did I mention that the water is cold? Or course, there’s the combination hike: wade, jump, clamber over.
And we were off. As we hiked in, we noticed several people with Wellies on. They are prepared. Gary and I? Just our hiking boots. No big deal. Here are some pictures of our hike? Or is it just a scramble? Probably the latter.
Whoo-eee, is this water ever cold. And, I’ve got my wool hiking socks on. And, if you think I’m walking ‘on’ the water, check again, my right foot is under water, clear water, but definitely water. Notice how delicately I hold my pants up so they don’t get wet. Who am I kidding?
We took the Fern Canyon Loop and, after working our way up the canyon, we took the trail above the canyon walls and back to the car.
We tried to get down to the beach but were blocked by this herd of elk and the wetlands between the beach and where we were. fight off the elk or tramp through foot deep water to the beach. Hmmm. We turned back, got into the car and headed further up the beach for a dry walk.
On our way out we found this cool herd of elk just grazing in the fields.
Well, the Fern Canyon hike is a fun hike but short so we headed back to the Visitor Center, parked and began another hike, this one on dry land. We intended to take the James Irving Trail. We had taken it several years ago and knew it was a good trail through some old-growth redwoods. But we reached a junction with a sign that read ‘Big Tree’ and it pointed the other way. Why not take this little diversion to see a big tree? Well, we took it for a while then checked the map. Oh - the trail is not just a little diversion and the Big Tree is a long way away. Let’s try something new and take this loop and follow the Cathedral Trail back to the car? What a good choice. Serendipity. The Cathedral Trail is beautiful and we will recommend it to others for a great trail, winding in and out of old growth redwoods. If we had taken the tried and true James Irving we might have missed this one.
Here are some views along the trail. Check out the little gnome in the tree.
I thought my specialty was the butt shot. Here Gary shows that he specializes in this technique too.
Can you see the tiny little hiker in this picture?
At the end of the hike we found this gorgeous bush just blooming its heart out. Looks like I even combed my hair for this one.
Fern Canyon hike, Cathedral Hike, elk, beautiful blooms. Some planned, some serendipitous. What a day ! ! !
‘In the Book of Life, The answers aren't in the back.’
Charles M. Schulz
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