I already know the guides from hikes back in 2009. They formed their own company a few years after that. All the other people are new - but some of them know each other because they are regulars on this company's trip.
Today, we (8 guests including myself) left Medford OR (just our meeting place) and headed towards the coastal town of Crescent City. From there we followed the 101 south (maybe a mile or two) to the Wilson Creek Picnic area along the beach where we had lunch - Subway sandwiches which we picked up in Crescent City.
The ocean smells awesome and the fog is rolling in and out.
After lunch, it's time to start our first hike of the trip - the DeMartin Section of the Coastal Trail. The trail is approximately 6 miles and rated a moderate hike due to moderate/steep grades. The cool thing is we are actually walking towards our home for the next 2 nights - the Requa Inn.
After lunch, we get our orientation and start up the trail making one quick stop to use the potties (flush toilets!!). Near the toilets, there's a pond where I find 4 egrets - no one else saw or cared :(
Then up the trail we go. We're headed mostly into the forest but there are opening. The ocean will be on our right the entire way. Whether it's visible the entire trip, I'll find out shortly.
Hey, there's an opening to the ocean.
There I find a Painted Lady in the grasses. And Cormorants on the rocks.
There are also Woodland Skippers flying. (They can be found along the entire trail.)
Then it's onward back into the forest and the large ferns.
After two miles, I detour down to Hidden Beach. I've been looking at it for a while as the trail approaches.
It's a little downhill over some washed up logs and I here. Awesome!
Then it's back to the trail and start of the uphill climb -- I think in total around 500 ft in elevation.
At one point, I can hear Sea Lions barking. Unfortunately, on that entire stretch I can only get peeks of the ocean below due to the trees.
In the woods, there are lots of ferns, a few Spring Beauty (odd that they are blooming so late as I'm used to them as Spring bloomers)
what looks like Solomon's Seal, perhaps Western Trillium plants, and a few mushrooms.
Pretty hike, but it would be much better in July I'm sure.
At one forest opening, I see what looks like a Turkey Vulture soaring.
And of course, ocean views.
It's about this time that I see and meet up with one of the guides coming from the opposite direction. He seems a bit surprised to see me already and advises me to take the side trail to this overlook.
I reach and it's all downhill. I'm not sure if it's an overlook or I'm going down to the beach. I start down anyway. (The ocean meets the Requa River.)
I see a mated pair of these Skippers!!
I stop at one point; really don't want to go down to the beach and then climb back up. I'm hot, sweaty... I stop and there's another member of the group coming down. She decides to continue a bit farther, I head up.
I get to the top and there's people already there; pretty quick bunch of hikers!
I look down towards the ocean and I see the viewpoint. Darn, I had to be close (and that was confirmed by the lady who continued).
Onward to the Requa Inn and a wonderful view of the river.
We're at the Requa Inn waiting for supper; I'm hungry. Tomorrow is a 12 mile day - what I've read is mixed reviews. But we'll be back on a beach with a chance to see Elk - yes, by the ocean! Fingers crossed.
