Redwoods National Park

     Let me start with blatantly plagiarizing from Barb's Facebook post. She sums up this visit quite well.

"My neck hurts! When we originally planned this trip, I almost skipped Redwood National Park, thinking "If you've seen one big tree, you've seen them all." I was wrong. After our trip through Sequoia National Park, I was very impressed by the size and age of the trees there. Today, we hiked one of many trails in the Redwood National Park area, and I was happy to be disproven by the Coast Redwoods. While both trees are considered redwoods, the Sequoia only grows on the Sierra range, while the Coast Redwoods only grow on the coast. The Sequoia can grow up to 311 feet high, 40 feet in diameter and live to 3,200 years. The Coast Redwood grows taller to nearly 380 feet, narrower to 22 feet in diameter, and does not live as long, living "only" to 2,000 years. Thus, my neck problem. I spent all day looking up at the trees hundreds of feet in the air! The fun part of our hike, however, was we were two of a limited number who could hike this trail, and with that quiet, we heard the trees "talk" as they swayed in the wind so high above us! Great day!"

     When she says "...heard the trees "talk" as they swayed" it was really amazing.  First a little background... The trail that we had chosen for that day was called Tall Trees Trail. It was accessed by permit only and only 50 permits are issued daily.  We didn't know how many folks would be waiting and wanting to go on this hike (and with our luck so far, they would be lined up out the door!!). We got up early and arrived at the Ranger station before they opened. We were first in line and got our permit. From the Ranger station we drove up the mountain to a gated trail off road. Part of our permit included the combination to the lock on the gate.

Unlocking the gate.

     We then drove down a pretty rugged logging trail road to the trailhead. We hiked down about 1.5 miles with a descent of approximately 775 feet. We then walked the 1 mile loop of the Redwood grove. The weather was such that there was a stiff breeze coming in from the ocean. This breeze is what caused the tall trees to sway and "talk." Sometimes it sounded like a squeaking door opening. Other times there were cracks and pops. Still other times, it sounded like someone rubbing their hand across an inflated balloon. The different sounds were quite unique and we felt wonder that we got to hear it. Nowhere else in our travels have we ever heard the forest talk like that.

Saving Barb from catastrophe! :)

Not as wide as a Sequoia but it is taller

     We also came across the elusive Banana Slug. This guy eats everything on the forest floor EXCEPT Redwood seeds. This means that he helps the Redwoods get a good start on life as they sprout from young seeds. They look remarkably like fallen leaves which are also yellow and long. You really had to keep a sharp eye out to find one.

     There is also a resident heard of Roosevelt Elk that inhabit the area. There are numerous "Watch for Elk" and "Elk Crossing" signs along the highway. We came across them in where else but a place called Elk Meadow.

    We took another hike called the Trillium Falls loop. The namesake falls are not overly dramatic like those in Yosemite, but it is a quaint little waterfall nestled in among the Coast Redwoods. Very serene and relaxing to sit and listen to.

Trillium Falls

     For all of you Star Wars fans, I read that George Lucas used locations in the Redwood National Park to represent the forest moon of Endor where the Ewoks lived.

I love how the light is captured filtering through the forest!

     Now I hope that this turns out. Below is a video file Barb shot that gives you a good idea just how big these trees really are (you should be able to double-click on the photo and the movie should play). You can't capture them in a single photo shot. They are too wide and too tall. If this turns out, you should see me at the bottom of an average Redwood tree as Barb pans skyward to the top of the canopy.

     We trooped out to a place called Fern Canyon. This was reached from another bumpy logging road with two stream crossings. Our Honda CR-V got to be a "Jeep for a day?" This canyon is back along a stream and stays relatively cool and humid, thus being able to grow some massive ferns all along the canyon walls.

All three of the above are from Fern Canyon

     So far we have hiked on trails south of our campground. Tomorrow we will find a couple north of us and check them out. Then, on Sunday, we pack up and head a little bit farther north and actually get into Oregon for a quick visit to the Oregon Caves National Monument.