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California Coast

Redwood National Park & Trillium Trail

Location = Redwood National Park. 258 Davison Rd, Orick CA to the Elk Meadow viewing area & Trillium Falls.

Redwood National Park is amazing and known for it's gigantical Redwood trees. You can hike the trails until your shoes fall off. Plus, you can camp in the Park with reservations or permit. Personally, I didn't think the scenic drive on Newton Drury Parkway in Redwood National Park is as impressive as the drive in Jedidiah Smith Redwood Park - see below.

Within the Redwood National Park is Trillium Trail - a 2.6 mile loop which has 2 surprises: the elk viewing area & the waterfall. On Davison Rd, the elk viewing area is on the right. Further down Davison, turn left into the parking lot. Start on Davison Trail and go south, then at the Trillium Trail go right. The Trillium waterfall is less than 1/4 mile in.

Trees You Can Drive Thru

Location = Drive Thru Tree. 430 CA-169, Klamath CA. Cost = $5/vehicle.

It's true.....you really can drive thru a Redwood tree at Klamath Tour Thru Tree. That's me in the black SUV. I was having fun until my car stalled and I had to climb out the back. Ha Ha - totally kidding. Although.... that could happen!

Better keep all body parts & doggy snouts inside the vehicle, or chance losing something. Seriously - it's a squeeze, but really fun. Definitely wouldn't try it with a dually truck! Klamath Tour Drive Thru Tree is totally worth the 30 minute stop and a once in a lifetime experience. We recommend going earlier or later in the day during peak tourist season.

Other Drive Thru Tress

• Chandelier Tree, 67402 Drive Thru Tree Rd, Leggett CA.

• Shrine Drive-Thru Tree, 13078 Avenue of the Giants, Myers Flat CA.

Location = Tress of Mystery. 15500 Hwy 101, Klamath CA - 5.4 miles north of the Drive-Thru Tree.

The Trees of Mystery is awesome with a few giants of their own.....I mean, besides Paul Bunyan & Blue Ox at the entrance. Don't know why it's blue, it's weird. Did you know that Redwoods can grow to 375 feet? That's about 35 stories tall & higher than the Statue of Liberty. It's incredibly impressive.

There are several short walking trails at the Trees of Mystery - generally no more than 1 mile with interesting tidbits of info posted along the way. The trails also have multiple wooden carved art pieces that are fun like a giant squirrel running down a tree. Be sure to see the Trinity Tree, the tallest in the park at 297 feet as of 2018. The Brotherhood Tree & Cathedral Tree also have unique stories of how they formed.

Redwood Canopy Trail

We saved the best for last. The Redwood Canopy Trail is a walk in the treetops with 8 bridges suspended between platforms and a steep spiral staircase at the end. Once you're up, there's no way out except to the end. FYI: Trees of Mystery website asks you to read the rules first, because a panic attack rescue would be pretty costly for you and them.

If you're new to my blog, you won't know about my slight fear of heights. OK, I lied - it's BAD. The Redwood Canopy Trail was my 2nd attempt to voluntarily conquer my fear. I was doing OK until we ran into a 20-something year old girl who apparently thought that suspension bridge was built to practice for the trampoline event at the next Olympics.

At more than 100 feet up, I pretty much need my feet to be on steady ground.... as steady as a suspension bridge can be. Despite my pleas and the signs that said NO jumping, the girl ignored me. That is, until her mother saw the panic in my face and grabbed her arm. Whew, thank you Lord. Once I realized that the bridge was still in suspension, and I was still on the bridge.... I actually had a good time.

My daughter in the photo below turned around to check on me, so I gave her a thumb's up. I should have gone a second time, because my legs completely stopped shaking by the time I was 2/3 of the way through. The Trees of Mystery and the Redwood Canopy Trail is a fun treetop adventure.

Wilson Creek Beach

Location = No address to Wilson Creek Beach. Hwy 101, Klamath CA - 1.3 miles north of Trees of Mystery, and just north of Lagoon Pond Picnic area.

Wilson Creek Beach is small, but it's a pretty little beach right off Hwy 101 to stretch your legs & let the dogs out. The sand is dark gray/black and the beach is 1/2 mile long. If you go to Wilson Creek Beach during low tide, you should be able to find a sea creature or two hiding around the rocks & shallow pools.

Look at this little guy we found - Crusty the Crab who was probably trying to dry out all his parts! Send me a photo of a little friend you found.... or, your best pose on a beach.

Ocean World

Location = Ocean World. 304 Hwy 101 South, Crescent City CA. About 15.1 miles north of Trees of Mystery. Small entry fee.

Ocean World is small, but it's really cute with some interesting features. You'll enjoy their guided interactive tour as they lead you to various stations where you can observe & pet some of the marine life. Did I forget to mention - you can pet a shark?

Ocean World also has an adorable seal show, especially the babies. They're intelligent, comical, and mischievous critters - the perfect combo to entertain. While it's nowhere near the size of the big city aquariums I've been to, Ocean World has it's charm and we're glad we went.

Sequoia vs Redwood Trees

The 2 well known species of Redwood are the Sequoia & coast Redwood - they are massive and surprisingly, very vulnerable. Sequoias are the biggest by volume in the world with thick trunks. Redwoods have thinner trunks, but they're the tallest in the world.

Redwoods are vulnerable to drought, excessive rain, soil compaction mostly due to humans, and limited space between trees. To protect all that God gave us, please stay on the trail as we and our pets can cause a lot of damage without realizing it. And if you see dead leaves at the top instead of green, the tree is dying of thirst.

The biggest Sequoia in the world - General Sherman located in Sequoia National Park, CA. It's 36 feet in diameter and estimated to be 1,800 - 2,700 years old.

The tallest Redwood in the world - Hyperion located in Redwood National Park. It towers above the forest at 380 feet tall. FYI: Hyperion is illegal to see because it needs protection from humans - undergrowth has been damaged plus garbage & human waste was found. The Park has blocked the area with a fine + jail time for violators. Humans that purposely damage living nature - Just STOP.

Location = No address to Jedidiah Smith Redwood Park. Crescent City CA - About 11 miles from town to the intersection of Redwood Hwy 199 & County Rd 427 (aka S. Fork Rd). On County Rd 427, cross Smith River twice, go right on Douglas Park Dr. which turns into Howland Hill Rd and into Jedidiah Smith Redwood Park. Go 1.1 miles past Pacomo Camp Dr. (on the left) to the Stout Grove Trail & parking lot on the right. FYI: RV's & trailers can't drive this narrow road since there's no room to turn around.

Jedidiah Smith Redwood State Park is a huge forested area with multiple hiking trails, meandering thru majestic redwood giants & gorgeous scenery. Get ready for amazing photo ops with these living giants.

Stout Grove Trail

Stout Grove Trail in Jedidiah Smith Redwood Park has some Redwood giants with unique shapes, appendages, large gaping holes, and merging trunks. From the trailhead, around the loop & back is .6 mile. However, we connected to other trails for a longer hike.

Heading down the trail, we walked straight ahead and made a left on River Trail which takes you to the most gorgeous emerald waters of Smith River - photo up top. The shallow waters are crystal clear & so refreshing on hot days. We continued along the river to the footbridge which is only there during summer. Across the bridge, the trail soon ends at a campground.

If you don't cross the footbridge, and continue following the trail for a minute, the trail splits. We headed right on Hiouchi Trail which follows Smith River. If you go left, you're on Mill Creek Trail which follows Mill Creek. After almost an hour, we headed back so we could all get some food. Question for you - why is it that dogs love playing in the shallow river waters, but they run when you say the word "bath"? It's a mystery.

When you get back to the bridge area, and start thru the woods - take Stout Grove Trail to the right to see a different section of the loop. Then go right at the "T" intersection back to the parking lot. The scenery is gorgeous and blow your mind amazing. I've never seen trees this large in my life. And the Redwood trees in Jedidiah Smith Park seem to have their own personality.... showing us just how alive they really are.

We noticed that quite a few trees grew some kind of bridge connecting to another tree. See photo just above. Some tress are growing these weird, knotty appendages like the growth that looks like a big black octopus looking thingy in the next section below. It makes me wonder if these appendages were formed because the trees were under stress? Or maybe to repair itself?

• From Orick, driving north to Crescent City.

• Moonstone Beach, Trinidad - a great beach for good reason. It's great for surfing & rock climbing including some bolted sport climbs. I haven't been, but it claims to be popular.

• Houda Point Beach & Camel Rock Lookout, Trinidad - go at low tide. It also has beautiful scenery and is good for surfing and exploring some awesome caves.

• Humboldt Lagoons State Park - go kayak in a beautiful lagoon, find the elk grazing and look for sea lions.

• Hey-Hay fellow horse lovers - Redwood Creek Buckarettes in Orick offers horseback riding on some beautiful trails.

• Del Norte Golf Course - for all you golfers, there's a 9 hole picturesque golf course just east of Crescent City.

Travel Tips - Crescent City

• Average temps high/low = Summer 64/50 degrees F. Winter 55/42.

• Weather - the coast is susceptible to heavy rainfall averaging 70 inches/year, high winds, and flooding. In 2019 they experienced the bomb cyclone. Tsunami's also occur in this coastal region as well as earthquakes.

• Backpack essentials - water, cell phone, bug spray, tube whistle is louder, flashlight, flares, pocket knife, rope, sunscreen, rain jacket.

• Winter Essentials - thermal blanket, waterproof hiking boots, and warm clothing.

• Hiking conditions - trails can be wet & slippery even in summer months.

• Vehicle safety – keep a spare blanket, boots, jacket, gloves, flashlight, lighter, water, and snacks in the car. All season tires should take care of any snow, which is rare.

• Poisonous plants - every region has it's own list of poisonous plants, so please know what you're touching.

• Wild animals - elk, bobcats, raccoon, and fox are commonly seen. Mountain lions, black bears, and coyotes also inhabit the area.

  Bears are becoming more aggressive around campsites & parks due to food. Bears are more aggressive in April after hibernating and mam's with her cubs. Air horns - use it every few miles, it's best to alert them rather than startle them. If a bear charges - do not run, slowly back away facing the bear, don't stare, use the air horn & wave your arms. Use bear spray if they get close.

  Male elk are territorial & aggressive from late August thru October during rutting season. If an elk charges - run fast, get behind a heavy, solid object like a tree.

• Poisonous creatures - one rattlesnake species lives in northern CA coastal areas, however it's rare to see them and they prefer to avoid humans and only bite to avoid harm. Also, the black widow spider.

• Trash - Pack out what you pack in.

• Wilderness safety – travel with a buddy and give a friend back home your itinerary.

• Wilderness resources - for current info & alerts on federal land, check = Wilderness Connect, which includes info from all 4 national agencies: Forest Service, Parks, Fish & Wildlife, and BLM. State = google state website with current wilderness info. Local = google "ranger stations near ___".

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