Redwoods with Mike

On Saturday of last week, Mike and I went over to Big Basin Redwoods State Park for a hike.  We went on a different trail than I had done the prior weekend.  This time there were no bee attacks.

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A fire had crawled through this part of the forest at some point in the last few years.  It was very different than the rest of the forest.  Rather than being choked with undergrowth and debris, it was open.  For the most part, only the redwoods survived the burn.

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A bridge Mike and I found.  It was built in the 70’s by the Youth Conservation Corps.

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Rather than a bridge, this creek crossing was made using a fallen redwood.

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A fallen tree.  I think this was a Douglas Fir.

Redwood Hiking

While the other grad students slept, I slipped away to go hike in a magnificent old growth redwood forest near Santa Cruz. Big Basin Redwoods State Park is an excellent place to walk among ancient giants. Perhaps the stands and groves in this park aren’t as impressive as the northern forests but this park is not without its charms.

Aside from a nasty bee sting, the hike was wonderful. I walked about six miles in three hours. The majestic trees slowed down my progress significantly. It is very difficult to pay attention to the trail when one is constantly looking up.

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