Saturday, August 30
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Redwood National and State Parks
Unceded land of the Yurok Tribe
19.36 miles
2,607′ ascent
2,618′ descent
HUMBOLDT HIKING GROUP HIKE
Miner’s Ridge Trail
Gold Bluffs Road
Fern Canyon
James Irvine Trail
12+ miles
West Ridge Trail
Zig Zag #2
Knapp Trail
6+ miles
There’s a thin fog layer hanging in Prairie Creek as I drive in. There’s a few deer that trot across the road but I don’t see any elk. I find a shady spot to park and then stand in the sun to warm up. It’s pretty chilly out with just my shorts and a single layer on top. Meghan meets me at 8 am and we start the climb up Miner’s Ridge. I posted this hike on Facebook’s Humboldt Hiking Page so it’s great that one person was able to join.
We chat as the sun starts to reach her long fingers deep into the forest. Just after 10 am we reach the Gold Bluffs Beach Road and soon spot some elk through the trees. We stick with the road to the Fern Canyon parking area and then head out to the beach for a break. We sit for about 30 minutes as the pelicans repeatedly fly back and forth.
A heard but unseen belted kingfisher welcomes us as we approach Fern Canyon. The canyon is quiet at first but we soon reach the holiday tourist masses having fun and enjoying the canyon. Thousands of water rivulets plinko their way down the fern walls of the canyon.
We climb out of the canyon and reach the James Irvine Trail at exactly noon. We follow the maze of roots as we start to meet hikers approaching us. If they’ve hiked from the visitors center, many look unprepared to make the round trip.
I hug Meghan goodbye back at the park headquarters about 2:30 pm. I circle back and start down the West Ridge Trail. I’m super hungry and take a break at a bench dedicated to Clinton Walker (1875 – 1944). I chug water and snacks before starting the climb up to West Ridge.
Just before 4 pm, I hit the Zig Zag #2 junction and opt to descend down it. 15 minutes later I turn right on the Knapp Trail. I weave through the forest aside the trickle of Prairie Creek. The leaves of big leaf maples hint at the impending arrival of Fall. I hear another belted kingfisher and scan for any movement.
Sure enough, the blue bridge troll is still guarding their post. I roll back into park headquarters not too long after 5 pm. The afternoon hustle and bustle has calmed a bit. Feeling a bit tired, I’m grateful that I opted for the shorter loop which saved at least 3 miles.
As I drive out Drury Parkway, I notice that several people have stopped and are admiring some large bull elks. It’s a spectacular drive home with the sun glinting off the ocean and lagoons.
Journey Return 