James Irvine Trail, Fern Canyon and Miners Ridge Trail - 10.2.2019
We began this hike at the visitor center for the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
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The trail information sign at the visitor center.
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The huge trees begin a stone's throw from the visitor center.
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We connected with the James Irvine Trail from the Nature Trail near the visitor center.
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After hiking .8 miles we reached the junction with the Miners Ridge Trail... we will stay on the James Irvine Trail for now... but we will close the loop portion of our trip right here later in the day by hiking back to this point via the Miners Ridge Trail.
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We are all so small.
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Fungi.
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After hiking a total of 5.3 miles we will leave the James Irvine Trail and drop down into Fern Canyon.
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Fern Canyon offers a few obstacles... just follow the water downstream.
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Denali Girl works her way down Fern Canyon.
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There is a very good reason that this is called 'Fern Canyon'.
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Continuing down Fern Canyon.
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The photo doesn't show it very well... but this wall in Fern Canyon was weeping.
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Trying to keep dry feet in Fern Canyon.
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The terrain in Fern Canyon eases some as we get closer to the ocean.
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No need for an explanation.... we didn't bump into any elk here... but when we started the hike around 7am there was a herd of elk near the visitor center.
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This is the entrance to Fern Canyon located near the beach.
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Out of Fern Canyon and ready to walk out onto the beach.
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Lots of pampas grass in the area.
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Hello to the Pacific Ocean.
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We will walk south for a mile along the beach from the entrance to Fern Canyon down to the Gold Bluffs Campground.
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Nearing Gold Bluffs Campground.
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We have reached the parking area for the Gold Bluffs Campground... looking for the Miners Ridge Trailhead.
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From the Gold Bluffs Campground we walked the road leading to the campground parking lot for a very short distance and found the Miners Ridge Trailhead... we will follow the Miners Ridge Trail for ~4 miles back to where it junctions with the James Irvine Trail... then hike .8 miles back to the car.
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Just like on the James Irvine Trail, there were a bazillion huge redwoods along the route... the total hike was 12.6 miles gaining 1590 feet of elevation.
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