After a restful as well as a delightful visit to the Coos Bay, Oregon coastal region, Helen and I packed up Lucy and headed south. Our destination was Redcrest, California, a tiny village about 145 miles south of the Oregon border, and home to some of the oldest and largest Redwood trees in the United States. Ancient Redwood RV Resort, adjacent to the Humbolt Redwoods State Park, will be home for three days.
The drive south from Coos Bay on the Pacific Coast Highway is about as scenic as a drive can be. Somewhere near Eureka, California, we turned away from the coast going southeast. To take in one last view of the shore, we paused at an overlook for a parting glance of the Pacific and a breath of fresh salty air. I had to bring out the camera. The day was sensational, and I wanted to remember as much of it as possible.
We went through the by now familiar COVID check-in procedure at the campground and escorted to our campsite. The RV Park was about mid-sized compared to others we have stayed in, and it was almost full. The roomy sites are large enough for Lucy and our truck and sit underneath some smaller Redwoods. The campground operator had smatterings of whimsey placed throughout the Park, and I included a sample here. A Stellar Jay was on hand to welcome us.
The next day, Helen and I left the campground and entered Humbolt Redwoods State Park to hike under these gigantic trees. As we drove toward our hike’s starting point, we passed one tree after another that would dwarf anything I have ever seen in a forest. These trees are the Coast Redwoods that only grows in an area from Big Sur, California, north to the Oregon Border. Some of the older trees reach heights of 350 feet with a circumference as large as 40 feet. We learned that the oldest Redwood living today is over 2000 years old.
Our hike took us through an old-growth forest where one of the first trees we passed, The Founders Tree, was 346 feet tall and had a diameter of over 12 feet. The first limb was 196 feet from the ground. We passed many of them almost as large, which had to be over 1,000 years old. Helen and I had fun standing inside the hollows of some of them, or “goose pens” as the cavities are known. For comparison, I am 6’4″ tall and had no trouble standing in one of the goose pens, making it relatively easy to get a feel for these monsters’ size.
The hike was fun, and we had the entire trail almost entirely to ourselves. We heard no sound. I suppose that the birds were so far above us that any sound they made was inaudible. One interesting fact about Redwoods is that their roots are only six to twelve feet deep, but spread out away from the tree’s base as much as 50 feet to give the tree stability. We passed many fallen trees with the structure of the root exposed in almost art-like composition. See if you agree.
We spent most of the day wandering through the forest amid giant groves of ferns on the forest floor. The trail took us in a large circle with no hills to climb. The entire experience was very relaxing. Just another day, Easin’ Along.
Great pictures and comments Joe! The redwoods are fairly large in Canada/Vancouver area also, however I don’t believe they have any quite as old and tall. Thanks for your travel log! Blessings to you and Helen….
Good afternoon, Dan,
I hope to see those trees some day. I walked through this forest in awe. Have a great week! Joe
Those trees are amazing. I really do need to visit one day.
Hi, Ingrid,
You and Al would have enjoyed this hike very much. Lots of photo ops! I assume you only have a few more days before you hit the road. Stay safe and enjoy the journey. Joe
I love the redwood forests of California, Joe! What a wonderful trip you had. I particularly like the image looking straight up into the boughs of the trees, such a unique perspective! Amazing the age some have grown to, imagine what they could tell us! I’ve been to Sequoia to visit the giant Sequoia species, that are not as tall but much more wide. Glad California was good to you.
Good morning, Terri,
This stop on our trip was a real treat, and I have wanted to see the giant Redwoods ever since I learned about them in grammar school. Hopefully, I will see the Sequoias at some point as well. I agree that it would be great if these fellows could talk. Hope your move is going smoothly. Have a great week, Joe.
We have been along that beautiful drive Joe and Helen. What are the huge stack of rocks called that occasionally appear just off the shore of southern Oregon and Northern California?
Good morning, Townsend,
Everything I have read or heard referred to the rocks as “sea stacks” but I am not sure if that is what you were thinking of. Have a great weekend and thanks for checking in. Joe
Sooooo jealous! I want to hike there too!
Your new site looks fabulous, Joe. It nicely showcases your photos.
Good morning, Donna,
The new theme is still a work in progress, and it’s coming along (or Easin’ Along). I’m glad you like it. You and Richard would love the Redwood Trails and, frankly, I would love to hike Vancouver Island. Have a great week! Joe.
Hi, Joe! Our experience with the redwoods occurred in Redwoods State and National Parks, a bit north of where you and Helen were, I believe. We were using our 30′ travel trailer at the time, and managed to get a campsite at Jedediah Smith State Park. Our rig was sandwiched between redwood trees – it was a magical, humbling experience. Our walk through one of the groves in the Park felt like we were strolling through nature’s cathedral. It was both magnificent and mind-boggling. I’d go back in a heartbeat. I’m enjoying your recap – thanks so much for sharing!
Good morning, Mary,
Nature’s cathedral is a wonderful way to depict that setting. I would go back in a heartbeat as well. I bet the trees in your part of the world are looking great right now. We are camping in Kentucky near the West Virginia border for a few days, and the difference in leaf color between here and East Tennessee is striking. Enjoy, and stay safe up there. Joe