Northern California Redwoods State Parks

Redwoods State Parks

In late September, we  took a photo trip to the Southern Oregon Coast. To fill in the time between sunrise and sunsets, we explored some trails in Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks. I am planning a trip back in late May, when the rhododendrons are blooming. While it rained on us several times, we did see the sun come out for a few hikes. We had rain gear for us and the cameras when it was raining.

Jedediah Smith State Park

We explored several trails in Jedadiah Smith Redwoods State Park. We were looking for Rhododendrons, but there are only a few places in Jed Smith. It was still an amazing place for a hike, towering redwoods, lots of greenery even in September and not very many people. We explored different trails in this park over three different days, between sunrise and sunsets along the Southern Oregon Coast.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
The sun came out and the clouds disappeared

Trail in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
This trail did not have a single person along the section we walked, it was wonderful solitude

Stout Grove Redwoods in the Morning

Sunburst Morning; Stout Grove

Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

We spent one morning walking a longer trail in this park. It was cloudy with occasional drizzle, which made it easier to take images without harsh lighting.

Trail in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
Redwoods and fog in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park Black & White

The fog started rolling in and stayed for a little while

Trail in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

Usually there is not much fall color in the redwoods, but we did stumble upon some maple that had turned color

Redwoods and fog in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

More fog rolling in among the redwoods

Redwoods and fog in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

I am looking forward to capturing some spring rhododendron blooms, if the weather, fog and blooms cooperate.

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

After a long hike in the Del Norte Redwoods we traveled south to Prairie Creek.

From the National Parks website; “Dinosaurs sought primeval-like refuge in the narrow, fern-covered walls of Fern Canyon in Steven Spielberg’s The Lost World: Jurassic Park. In Star Wars: Episode IV—Return of Jedi, ancient coast redwoods helped transport moviegoers to a galaxy far, far away—the world’s tallest trees materialized George Lucas’ vision of the planet Endor, the forested home of the furry Ewoks.”

Road through the redwoods in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

This image gives you an idea of the size of the trees. The redwoods make this SUV look small.

Fern Canyon, part of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Fern Canyon; To get there drive down the graveled Gold Bluffs Beach Road to the beach, then north crossing a stream, which was about 6 inches (ca. 15 cm) deep. Park at the trail head and take a short hike up the canyon. There were several planks laid across the stream t aid in crossing it as you walked up the canyon, but it would not take much water to wash them downstream.

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