Fern Canyon, the main attraction of Van Damme State Park along the Mendocino Coast, offers hikers terrific opportunities for arboreal adventure. A pleasant stroll through these coast forests seem almost from a time from eras gone by. The quiet roll of the stream and the occasional call of a woodpecker seem to be the only semblance of noise in this prehistoric journey through aloof and solemn Coast Redwoods. This trail leads from the end of the park's paved street onto an old lumber road, long since abandoned, yet now offering a verdant canyon trail-side experience, culminating in a small grove flat. The traveler in seek of a dose of natural splendor would do well to saunter this ageless vale.
Category: Easy
Miles: 5
Elevation Gain: 150'
Location: Van Damme State Park
Directions: HERE
The Trail: From the gate at the parking lot, walk straight up onto the trail through some state park buildings and weather data equipment. Soon, the laughing brook comes into view with its riparian habitat consisting mainly of Red Alders, the indicator species of freshwater ecosystems in these parts. There are a series of ten brides spanning the length of this canyon from the trailhead to the flats, and the first of these arrives abruptly. As you wind the path and forage across the many wooden bridges, notice the ever-presence of the Coast Redwood, dark and foreboding, stately and noble. Most of these trees are of second-growth, due to logging, and are not nearly as large as their counterparts in more northerly parts of the state. Nonetheless, the official state tree grows well here along this vale, receiving up to 40% of its water intake from the typical summer fogs, caused by condensation of cool seawater meeting with warm air current, which roll through the region nearly daily. Species of fish can be seen in the creek, most interesting are the Coho Salmon and varied communities of trout. After walking the shaded 2.5 miles to the flats and trail splits, take a break and return the way you came, or chose the extend your adventure by talking one of the several extension trails offered.
Hiked 7/12/2017, Mendocino County, CA
 |
| Trailhead |
 |
| Riparian Habitat |
 |
| Redwoods |
 |
| Dense greenery |
 |
| What is this? Fish eggs? |
 |
| A fish in the river (probably trout) |
No comments:
Post a Comment