Today was another moving day, although a short one. After a well-needed good night’s sleep, we packed up and hit the road. Our destination was only 1.5 hours away, near the southern section of Redwood National Park.
We knew that southbound on Route 101 was going to offer some incredible views (101 is also known as “Redwood Highway”), both of Coastal Redwood groves and the Pacific coastline. After driving back through the Crescent City, we followed along the coast to False Klamath and the Yurok Loop Trail. This short, heavily vegetated trail climbed from the parking lot up a hill alongside Wilson Creek Beach.
The cool inland breeze carried a saltwater tang, the amazing scent of the ocean. Not the rancid, dead-fish smell near the docks in Crescent City. This was clean and crisp. As the trees and growth opened up, we were greeted with spectacular views of the coast. Like much of Northern California, the shallow waters were dotted with rocks, all scattering the incoming surf. It was wonderous.
The Redwood Highway then turned inland, taking us through both tall tree forests and open expanses near waterways. We passed several small towns, each of which bearing signs welcoming travelers coming in and thanking them for visiting as they exit. My guess is few people stop.
Thirty minutes south of the Yurok Trail we exited Route 101 to take the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, a 9-mile bypass which cuts directly into deep redwood forests. I can honestly say that this roadway was one of, if not THE, most stunning drives I have ever done. Both sides of the road, and as far back into the woods as can be seen, stand some of the biggest trees we’ve been around. And they come right up to the road’s edge in many cases. Hitting one of these with a car would be like hitting a building. The trees won’t lose many of those fights.
There are several hikes with trailheads along this drive, some of which we may come back to over our next two days. Our campsite is not far away. And seeing these big trees up close and personal, on a trail, is something amazing. But Karen mentioned how great it is that, for people who cannot get out and hike, this drive gives them the opportunity to get incredibly close to these mammoths. There were even pull-offs near the biggest trees closest to the roadway, providing wonderful access to everyone.
We made a quick stop at the small visitor center at the south end of the bypass. Pretty much the same fare inside, but I wanted to get another Redwood stamp in our passport. It was then that I realized I had put the previous Redwood stamp in the wrong section of our passport book!
For those of you who don’t know me that well, I can be somewhat anal-retentive with some things. The NPS Passport Book is broken up into geographic sections, each with park listings in that section and very brief descriptions. Following this are blank pages for the cancellation stamps. I had somehow put the first Redwood stamp in the Pacific Northwest section rather than the West. My mistake will forever be there, mocking me each time I look. At least I got this one in the right place.
The next three nights will be spent in a very small RV park called Azalea Glen, near the town of Trinidad. The park is tucked into the Sue-meg State Park and has direct access to some wonderful trails without driving. Six of the sites here, including ours, back up to a small lily pad covered pond. And each of these sites has their own deck. That gave us a great place to sit and enjoy wine and cheese as the sun set to the west. We will be spending much more time there over the next two days, that’s for sure!
We have no set plans for tomorrow or the next day, so I cannot hint at what to expect. In any case, this is going to be one amazing place to stay!!
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