For a change of pace, we decided to do a couple of hikes in the state and federal redwood parks in northern California. Timing-wise, now is sort of a sweet spot between the crowded summer tourist season and the onset (hopefully) of the rainy season. On the way to Crescent City, we stopped at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park to hike the Boy Scout Tree trail to that tree and to Fern Falls (Hike #97 in Sullivan's Oregon Coast & Coast Range guide.)
This hike is an easy stroll through some very, very large trees - most still upright,
some not.
The Boy Scout tree itself is actually two trees that grew together ages ago, forming a monster 20' or so in diameter! Oddly - despite the name of the trail and the otherwise good state park signage - there's no official sign directing you to the tree, which sits about 50' above the trail.
About 0.5 mi beyond the tree lies Fern Falls, which after four years of drought and this late in the season, isn't much to look at.
We were getting neck strain from looking UP at the trees, so we took to occassionally looking for the small stuff on the forest floor,
some of which was looking back at us.
All told, a short (5.8 mi RT, 600' EG) very pleasant way to break-up our drive to the coast.
After a night in Crescent City, we drove down to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park for a hike through the Murrelet State Wilderness to the coast. Our plan was an out-and-back on the James Irvine Trail from park headquarters but this would become a loop ( ) as we discovered trails not shown on the CalTopo maps. This is part of Hike #100 in Sullivan's Oregon Coast & Coast Range guide, but we did a much longer loop than he discribes.
So, over the creek,
and through the woods on the Irvine trail, which had been re-routed up out of the Godwood Ck drainage.
Again, an easy hike through groves of big trees,
and sometimes the trees themselves.
It was interesting to note that the clover ground cover was green on top (like all the other plants) but bright red underneath.
After 5 mi we reached Fern Canyon, which is a 50' deep canyon lined with seven different species of fern (Transcript). It feels prehistoric to such an extent that Spielberg chose it as a location for Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World.
Fern Canyon empties in to a day use area at the end of the Gold Bluffs Beach road.
To make a loop, we walked about 1 mi S on the beach road to the Miner's Ridge TH,
and then took that remarkably gentle and easy trail back through the forest to park HQ.
An excellent day in the woods, along with a look at a unique canyon and a (short) visit to the beach! Win, win! Overall, 13 mi RT, 1100' EG.
Fern Canyon & The Boy Scout Tree 29/30-Sep-2015
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Re: Fern Canyon & The Boy Scout Tree 29/30-Sep-2015
Lovely! I did a shorter version of a loop with Fern Canyon, a beach walk and some of the James Irvine trail a couple years ago. I loved it. Glad you enjoyed your trip as well. The Gorge is great with no shortage of ferns, moss and other greenery, creeks, waterfalls, canyons, etc., but Fern Canyon is absolutely magical, unlike anything else I've experienced.
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Re: Fern Canyon & The Boy Scout Tree 29/30-Sep-2015
Nice, I just got back from hiking fern canyon a week ago. We ran into a small herd of elk right at the mouth of the canyon who weren't afraid of humans. We walked by on the trail within 20 or less feet. Two nice 6-pt Bulls in the group
Clackamas River Waterfall Project - 95 Documented, 18 to go.
Re: Fern Canyon & The Boy Scout Tree 29/30-Sep-2015
Such a fun place.
I did this exact trip a few thanksgivings back, but in reverse of your weekend.
Thanks for the report VM
I did this exact trip a few thanksgivings back, but in reverse of your weekend.
Thanks for the report VM