Heading to Redwood State Park to do a loop hike - Miner's Ridge, Gold Beach, Fern Canyon and James Irvine Trail - approx 12 miles with 1250 ft of total elevation gain which counts all of the up and downs today.
Start at the Prairie Visitor's Center probably 9:30sh. It's sunny but the trail thru the tall Redwoods and thick forest puts us mostly in the shade with dappled sunshine in spots.
We cross a couple of bridges (over streams)
and high uphill to start until reaching the actual Miner's Ridge trail. Then it's lots of ferns and trees for 4 miles.
It's beautiful but it does get monotonous after awhile.
There are footbridges in several spots along the trail.
And I see what looks like Solomon's Seal's orange fruits and something that looks like Trillium. (Saw them yesterday too.)
And can't forget a lone Banana Slug (long)
and a three of slugs on a footbridge railing in a huddle.
Towards the end, I see Roosevelt Elk scat (hoping to see the animal soon) and a Tsunami Shelter (interesting).
We're near the beach and have an option to walk on the beach for about 1.3 miles or the road. Road is definitely easy (especially since we're only 1/2 way) but I choose the beach.
It's beautiful, lots of coastal fog, lots of waves.
But difficult walking in the sand. I staying in tire tracks which were packed making things a bit easier but I had to walk in a straight line.
Looked for Elk along the way but nothing.
Before long, the guide begins angling inland -- our group meeting spot must be near.
As we angle over, I do see and orange butterfly, I'm curious but I know I'll never catch up - too many people around.
Time for eat that lunch I packed and carried this morning. (Someone mentioned it's noon.)
After lunch, we head over to hike thru Fern Canyon - a short canyon that's all covered in ferns. It's pretty cool!
Then we hit our return trail and over 4 miles to go and it'll be uphill.
It's sunnier now but still dappled light and shade. About 1/2 way I got in the lead as someone decided to take a break. Lonely hike just the way I like it!
I get back to the van, find a shady bench and enjoy the cool breeze.
It's a good trail, but long and the same thing for miles. But a good day none the less.
Back at the Inn, I head down to dinner and two others are in the lobby. I'm confused when they say they are watching a seal show in the River in front of the inn. Then I witness the event. There are 3-4 Harbor Seal (or Sea Lions) in the river (the ocean is only about 1/2 mile away) and they are feeding on fish. I can see their heads pop out and sometimes their bodies. And the sea gulls are around where the seals are popping out. How cool is that! They been doing this for about 1/2 hour before I arrived and another 15 minutes after. So much for missing the elk!
Great ending to the day!
