Aug 26 - Rhododendron/Foothills/Big Tree Trail (Redwoods)

Had a restless night sleeping. But when I walk to the lobby the sun is shining and the seals are back!

There's still controversy about whether they are Harbor Seals as the host says or Sea Lions - we've all heard them barking. Either way, it's still pretty cool.

Heading back to the same Prairie Center this morning to hike the Rhododendron To Foothill Trail To Big Tree (a loop). It's around 7 miles and elevation gain over 960 ft.

On the road in, I spot a female mule deer crossing the road. (Nope, still no elk.)

We gear up and head off on a trail along the parking lot, then under the road on a side walk along a creek. Then it's the trail head.

For some reason, Steve is leading this morning. Not sure why, perhaps because there's a lot of uphill and wants to set a pace or there's simply too many places to get screwed up and off on the wrong trail. What ever the reason, it's a good pace and we're all lined up like little ants.

The first big tree of the day!

I like the landscape here. The ferns are large and there's lots of large redwoods and it's more open with more dappled sunlight.

And the trail is not monotonous as it curves, switchbacks and big logs to climb under.

The top the elevation gain is the intersection of a road. We all meet up

and continue for a bit of a more rolly landscape and obstacles.

 On the downhill, I find the purple berries of what appears to be Queens Cup.

The downhill is very steep in spots; sure would not have wanted to go up this way. There are more bridges

And more obstacles.

Finally reach Foothill Trail and start to the Big Tree - our lunch spot.

It's mostly flat now and soon I find a big tree. I wasn't sure if it "The Big Tree" but I stop anyway.

The guide arrives -- this is not "The Big Tree" but I get my picture taken anyway.

Just around the corner is "The Big Tree"

But mine was bigger :)

Time for lunch!

And then the 3hr drive to Grants Pass for the night. (I see a bunch of wild turkeys along the way.)

The view from my hotel room.

Aug 25 - Miners Ridge Trail/Gold Beach/Fern Canyon/James Irvine Trail

Sunny day with highs in mid-70s forecast but of course, I'm on the coast so we'll be dealing with intermittent coastal fog too.

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!

Aug 24 - Coastal Redwoods Hike - DeMartin Section

Finally my yearly vacation begins! Decided to do a group hiking trip again this year after 9 years. Not sure if it's a good idea, but it is somewhere that I've always wanted to go - namely Crater Lake.

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.

Sept 2 - Twin Lakes Pass (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Wow, it's Labor Day already - the "end" of summer. But today, the forecast is sunny and 97 degrees (definitely still summer temps).

Heading for the coolest of the mountains this morning holding to beat the holiday crowds.

Lots of folks on the move this morning. Trail heads are full at the lower end of the canyon. And even arriving at 8am, I forced to the first overflow parking lot.

I pack up and head out into the cool 45 degree morning.

Fall is definitely in the air here. The grasses are turning brown and there's even a lone tree up above the switchback that is yellow.

There are many dragonflies zipping around the lake this morning.

I make my way around the right side of the lake and start up towards Lake Solitude. The flowers in the forest are already spent except for a few Horsemint and of course, the purple Asters.

I always keep my eyes open for moose but it is the season to be alert for them.

At one point, I see a couple of people stopped ahead. As I approach, I notice a bull moose not far from the trail - a little hard to see thru the trees. But, there's another one right off the trail. Both are actively feeding. Normally, I wouldn't push my luck but they are feeding and there are people nearby so I quickly move pass stopping briefly behind a tree for a better look at the nearer one.

Time to move on!

There's red Baneberry fruits along the rockslide area now.

Soon, I reach Lake Solitude stopping briefly for a look at the lake and a squirrel before I move on.

Lots of Asters around the lake

and I find a Ruddy Copper.

On the other side of the Lake, I see a doe moving thru the grasses/flowers.

Wait, there's another deer nearby. Wow, they are actually twin fawns. Cool!

As I start to move on, there are 2 additional doe moving towards the Mom.

As I climb the hill, I find a dragonfly

and also a few Frits.

Before long I reach the top of the hill overlooking Twin Lakes. The lake still looks full; not dropping much this summer.

Time to head up towards the Pass.

As I reach the ridge, again the flowers are mostly spent.

There are patches of flowers around though.

And there are quite a few Blue  Coppers and a few Frits flying.

I reach the Pass for a quick break before heading back down

to Twin Lakes. There are many people here and many more coming so I simply head down.

Great day!