Redwood National and State Park

30 Jun 2013              Redwood National and State Park

            Today was one heck of a trail run.  We woke up still sore from the Mt. Rose run, but still wanted to get in some miles.  I really wanted to get out to the Pacific Ocean, but it was far, and Katherine’s leg was not cooperating.  She said, “Let’s just go anyway.”  We went, and it hurt.  It was 5.5 miles to the ocean through the most spectacular redwood forest I have ever seen.  Then, it was a one mile run on the dark sand beach with a wonderful layer of fog.  From there it was another 6 miles back to the campsite.  We finished, but will be regretting this tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. 

            Let me tell you more about the forest.  This is one of the biggest sections of old growth redwoods on the coast.  The trail takes you past one giant tree and then another.  Repeat this for 12 miles, and that is what we saw.  These are not the redwoods that you can drive a car through like in Sequoia, but the ones that are known for their sheer height.   Some of these boys can get over 350 feet high.  For real!  Their bases, fully mature can be 10-15 feet across.  The entire time on the trail I was in disbelief.  Coastal Redwoods are a definite must see.  I just recommend bringing more food than we did.  We were a little low on calories, but made it up when we got back to camp. 

            The campground here is quite popular.  Katherine made a reservation a few moths ago and certain days were all ready full.  We lucked out, and got a spot, but the whole place is a reservation only system.  You have to know where you are camping and when REALLY far in advance.  They open the place up for reservations 7 months in advance, and when we made reservations 3 months ago there were only a few spots left.  This makes for some professional campers.  Also, for $37 a night (including the reservation fee) the crew here is weird.  At night, it’s quiet, and people pick up after themselves.  There was one guy that needed to run an old, loud generator during the day.  I guess he needed his TV fix, or was cooking in the microwave for 6 hours.  Who knows?  Gotta love the generators to enlighten the nature experience.   Arghhh!

            Tomorrow, we head into Oregon.  I have never been there, so I am quite excited.  We will stop in Coos Bay for a seafood lunch and laundry.  The camping equipment is getting a little dirty, and it will be good to clean a few things up, including our Hazmat bag.  Dirty running clothes get a special ride in the box on top of the truck.  Yes, cleaning the laundry is a must.