Northern California Redwoods
Oct 7th, 2016, 11:05 AM
#1
Original Poster
Northern California Redwoods
My wife and I just returned from an 11-night trip to the northern California redwoods. Thanks to the Forodrites who helped with information as we were planning. This was our third trip to California this year, and they have all been outstanding.
Our goal for the trip was simple: spend as much time as possible in the redwoods and on coastal beaches. Other activities one might do such as wine tasting, fine dining or shopping were not part of the plan. We thought we'd spend a day in Eureka, tour the Lost Coast Brewery, a chocolate factory, some museums or the botanical gardens, but we were so entranced by the redwoods that we just kept returning. The weather was continually perfect for outdoor activities, so that factored into our decision.
Initially this was going to be part of a long road trip from Colorado, but instead we decided to fly out to the Arcata-Eureka airport and rent a car from there.
The northern California redwoods are unlike some other national parks in that they are spread out over several hundred miles, and fall under a mix of state and national park units. Except for camping there is no in-park lodging so you have to chose nearby towns.
We settled on Crescent City (4 nights) due to its proximity to Jedediah Smith State Park, and Trinidad (6 nights), because it was close to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Both of those are home to extensive old growth redwood groves. We wanted to minimize driving and didn't plan to travel to the southern area near Avenue of the Giants. That will be another trip.
In Crescent City we stayed in the Crescent Beach motel for the simple reason that it is right on the beach. We could walk out of our room, hang a left and have miles of semi-secluded beach to hike on. The room was a basic motel room, a bit cramped perhaps, but having the beach right there was huge bonus for us. Highway 101 runs past the hotel, and there was some noise from that, but not too bad.
http://www.crescentbeachmotel.com/
In Trinidad we stayed in the View Crest Lodge, in a small cottage with a full kitchen. We were very happy there.
http://www.viewcrestlodge.com/privat...rinidad-ca.htm
In researching hikes I found this to be the best site:
http://redwoodhikes.com/
In Jedediah Smith we drove the Howland Hill road out to Stout Grove. At this time of year, after months without rain, the road was extremely dusty. Rain was forecast the day after we flew home, which did happen, and they needed it. We also hiked the Boy Scout Trail and the Simpson-Reed Grove (twice).
Heading to Trinidad we drove the spectacular Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. It was a sunny afternoon and the drive continuously alters between passing through bright sunny sections and deep shadow, a bit tough on the eyes! It might actually be better to drive that on a cloudy day.
The Parkway closed the next day for a week of annual maintenance, but there are lots of hikes that take off from the south end near the visitor center and we made use of those on our return visits to the park. Also, we could walk the road with any cars.
Next to Trinidad is beautiful Patrick's Point State Park, with its Agate Beach and we spent a day there. But neither of us could tell an agate if it landed in our pockets.
One day we drove out to Fern Canyon, which gets high marks as a place to visit. It was nice enough but we thought barely worth the bumpy 8 miles on a dirt road.
I have a photo gallery here, a couple dozen shots, mostly making my wife look small standing next to big trees:
http://nelsonchenkin.zenfolio.com/redwoods
It was a fantastic trip and we would definitely return to the same area.
Our goal for the trip was simple: spend as much time as possible in the redwoods and on coastal beaches. Other activities one might do such as wine tasting, fine dining or shopping were not part of the plan. We thought we'd spend a day in Eureka, tour the Lost Coast Brewery, a chocolate factory, some museums or the botanical gardens, but we were so entranced by the redwoods that we just kept returning. The weather was continually perfect for outdoor activities, so that factored into our decision.
Initially this was going to be part of a long road trip from Colorado, but instead we decided to fly out to the Arcata-Eureka airport and rent a car from there.
The northern California redwoods are unlike some other national parks in that they are spread out over several hundred miles, and fall under a mix of state and national park units. Except for camping there is no in-park lodging so you have to chose nearby towns.
We settled on Crescent City (4 nights) due to its proximity to Jedediah Smith State Park, and Trinidad (6 nights), because it was close to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Both of those are home to extensive old growth redwood groves. We wanted to minimize driving and didn't plan to travel to the southern area near Avenue of the Giants. That will be another trip.
In Crescent City we stayed in the Crescent Beach motel for the simple reason that it is right on the beach. We could walk out of our room, hang a left and have miles of semi-secluded beach to hike on. The room was a basic motel room, a bit cramped perhaps, but having the beach right there was huge bonus for us. Highway 101 runs past the hotel, and there was some noise from that, but not too bad.
http://www.crescentbeachmotel.com/
In Trinidad we stayed in the View Crest Lodge, in a small cottage with a full kitchen. We were very happy there.
http://www.viewcrestlodge.com/privat...rinidad-ca.htm
In researching hikes I found this to be the best site:
http://redwoodhikes.com/
In Jedediah Smith we drove the Howland Hill road out to Stout Grove. At this time of year, after months without rain, the road was extremely dusty. Rain was forecast the day after we flew home, which did happen, and they needed it. We also hiked the Boy Scout Trail and the Simpson-Reed Grove (twice).
Heading to Trinidad we drove the spectacular Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. It was a sunny afternoon and the drive continuously alters between passing through bright sunny sections and deep shadow, a bit tough on the eyes! It might actually be better to drive that on a cloudy day.
The Parkway closed the next day for a week of annual maintenance, but there are lots of hikes that take off from the south end near the visitor center and we made use of those on our return visits to the park. Also, we could walk the road with any cars.
Next to Trinidad is beautiful Patrick's Point State Park, with its Agate Beach and we spent a day there. But neither of us could tell an agate if it landed in our pockets.
One day we drove out to Fern Canyon, which gets high marks as a place to visit. It was nice enough but we thought barely worth the bumpy 8 miles on a dirt road.
I have a photo gallery here, a couple dozen shots, mostly making my wife look small standing next to big trees:
http://nelsonchenkin.zenfolio.com/redwoods
It was a fantastic trip and we would definitely return to the same area.
Oct 8th, 2016, 07:13 AM
#9
Original Poster
@sunbum1944: Thanks for your comment, glad you liked the pictures. I had been there 40+ yours ago but didn't spend much quality time (on a bicycle trip). This was the first time we really saw the redwoods and we both thought they were astonishing.
In fact, Save the Redwoods League has a "Dedicate a Tree" program where you can donate enough to get a tree dedicated in your name. My wife and I would chose one with a double trunk. Then you can have your ashes scattered there. They help arrange that. That would take care of a little detail that our siblings or nephews won't really want to be bothered with.
@Michael: I saw that book in the visitor centers but didn't get it, seemed a little more about the tree climbers than the trees, but I have it in my amazon list. However I picked up The Age of Gold by H.W. Brands which looked excellent, along with some other items. I'll start it as soon as I finish The Boys in the Boat, probably later today. We like to buy stuff from park visitor centers. Thanks for the book recommendation.
In fact, Save the Redwoods League has a "Dedicate a Tree" program where you can donate enough to get a tree dedicated in your name. My wife and I would chose one with a double trunk. Then you can have your ashes scattered there. They help arrange that. That would take care of a little detail that our siblings or nephews won't really want to be bothered with.
@Michael: I saw that book in the visitor centers but didn't get it, seemed a little more about the tree climbers than the trees, but I have it in my amazon list. However I picked up The Age of Gold by H.W. Brands which looked excellent, along with some other items. I'll start it as soon as I finish The Boys in the Boat, probably later today. We like to buy stuff from park visitor centers. Thanks for the book recommendation.
Oct 8th, 2016, 08:59 AM
#11
Original Poster
ABE has some decent looking hardback copies with DJ at good prices.
In the past I used ABE a lot when I was building a mountaineering book collection. Now slowly selling it off. You wanna buy some?
As you probably know ABE is now under the amazon umbrella and recently started selling that print to order junk. But I guess that's a way for people to sort of have a copy of a rare book.
Anyway, thanks for the recommendation.
In the past I used ABE a lot when I was building a mountaineering book collection. Now slowly selling it off. You wanna buy some?
As you probably know ABE is now under the amazon umbrella and recently started selling that print to order junk. But I guess that's a way for people to sort of have a copy of a rare book.
Anyway, thanks for the recommendation.
Oct 22nd, 2016, 03:26 AM
#14
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I enjoyed the report and pictures, too. It reminds me of a great family trip to Lassen National Park then over to Redwood National Park over the mountains, stopping at the Shasta and Weaverville Joss State historic parks.
Oct 23rd, 2016, 07:10 AM
#15
Original Poster
Thanks Vttraveler, glad you liked the brief report and photos! We've not yet been to Lassen and never heard of Weaverville Joss, so I will make note of that for a future trip. That looks unique.
Shasta was the first mountain I climbed (1974!) and I was able to see it from the flight to Eureka, first time since then, which was fun.
Shasta was the first mountain I climbed (1974!) and I was able to see it from the flight to Eureka, first time since then, which was fun.
Oct 25th, 2016, 09:44 AM
#16
Original Poster
P.S. Wanted to add a brief comment about the "Trees of Mystery". We stopped there on our way to Crescent City, but didn't think the attraction was our cup of tea.
However, attached to the gift shop is a surprisingly good Native American musuem.
https://www.treesofmystery.net/museum.php
We spent over an hour in there and really enjoyed it. Most definitely worth the price of admission: free!
We'd stop there again, and who knows, maybe go inside next time.
However, attached to the gift shop is a surprisingly good Native American musuem.
https://www.treesofmystery.net/museum.php
We spent over an hour in there and really enjoyed it. Most definitely worth the price of admission: free!
We'd stop there again, and who knows, maybe go inside next time.
Oct 29th, 2016, 06:15 AM
#18
Original Poster
Thanks for your comment Patty! Much appreciated.
Hope you make it there. It's magical being in a redwood grove, we never tired of it and hope to return. We still have the whole southern area to explore. We are thinking spring when the rhododendrons are blooming could be a good (but wet) time. Thanks again.
Hope you make it there. It's magical being in a redwood grove, we never tired of it and hope to return. We still have the whole southern area to explore. We are thinking spring when the rhododendrons are blooming could be a good (but wet) time. Thanks again.
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