Woke up in the Redwoods.
12+ mile hike.
Elk Creek Campground > James Irvine Trail > Fern Canyon > Ocean Front > Clintonia > Miners Ridge > James Irvine Trail back to trailhead
I may have limped the last 2 miles but I did it. My longest hike to date through the most incredible ancient redwood grove, through a gulch with 40ft walls covered in ferns, out to a piece of driftwood on the beach for lunch and back.
There is a weird distortion that happens around trees so large and heavy with old age. They give off this deep hum and you can feel their pulse beneath your feet. The ferns are an ancient companion as well. I felt that I had slipped from time entirely to a place much, much older than I can even really imagine.
I'm beyond grateful to have spent time here.
PS: I see deer EVERYWHERE. I'm constantly running into them on trails. Such curious buds that I'm always glad to say hello to.
Species Spotted: Redwoods, Sitka Spruce, Douglas Fir, Hemlock, Alder, Maple, Sword Fern, Deer Fern, Salal, Saxifrage, Skunk Cabbage, and Huckleberries. .
.
#california #redwoods #redwoodsnationalpark #elkprariecampground #prariecreekredwoodsstatepark #jamesirvinetrail #ferncanyon #fern #hiking #alltrails #greatoutdoors #goexplore #roadtrip #nationalparks #ocean #camping #trees #animism #ancient #botany #deer #slug