You may follow along in our journey by visiting Julie's Journal page. It will include photographs, suggestions, mishap adventures and our experiences on the road and back-country trails.

If you would like to know more about the history of our adventure click here for the history page. How we planned, saved money, chose our equipment and prepared for ten months on the road.

These are some other web sites we found useful and/or have recpical links with.

Redwoods National and State Parks, California
May 22, to June 4, 1999

Written by Julie Hackler and Dave Fink

When we first arrived we decided to stay at the Del Norte State Park at the Mill Creek Campground. The temperature was about 90 degrees that day and we thought we might be able to visit Endert's Beach. But when we got close to the coast we saw the fog blanketing the tops of the trees. The warm air and the cold temperatures of the ocean formed a thick layer of fog that the sun couldn't penetrate. When we spoke to a Ranger about the fog she said that it is foggy almost daily in the summer. She said it is good for the trees.

The campsite at Del Norte was a nice one. They had a few trails that lead you through the forest as well as the beaches. The trailheads were very close to the campground. We paid $17 per night. Not too bad, but we also had to pay for the showers.

My parents were due in on 5-28 so we decided to get a campsite with full hookups. There are no campsites available throughout the state and national parks that offer hookups, so we had to go to a commercial campground. We found a great one right in the center of all the parks in Klamath. Right off Rt. 101 we found the Camper Corral.

The sun was shinning and we were able to relax and enjoy ourselves. The campsite was in a grassy meadow, something we had yet to experience. It was a nice change. We paid, on average $20 a night. They offered a weekly special were if you paid for the entire week you got the seventh night free. The facilities were immaculate and clean and the people were very nice.

After my parents arrived we decided to set out on a few small hikes. The Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail is located in the National Park off of Bald Hills Road. It was a one-mile look trail that took you through some of the most spectacular mature Redwood trees. The trailhead had a few picnic tables set up so after the hike we decided to have a picnic. The road to get to the trail has a steep incline, about a 17% grade. They warn you that trailers are not recommended. We could see why! There were at least two cars with their hoods up in the parking lot overheated. So a word to the wise, don't tow anything up the road and take it slow so you don't overheat.

We then hiked to the Big Tree. The Big Tree is located in the Prairie Creek State Park. It is the oldest and largest tree in the Park. A real treat to see. We also hit the Prairie Creek Visitor's Center were we went to the museum to see a tree with horns. It seems an Elk ran into the tree only to get its horns stuck in the tree and die. The tree then grew around the skull of the Elk. It was really bizarre, but interesting.

Another worthy trail was the Hidden Beach Trail located across from the Trees of Mystery on Rt. 101. The Tail lead you though the forest and then to a great private beach. It was a small beach cove that was covered with driftwood and wildflowers. The view from the beach was beautiful, so we decided to stop and have lunch. The trail then continued along the Coastal Trail that runs the entire length of the park. It was a nice trail, so even if you don't want to hike the whole thing, it is worth it to hike just part of it.

Other trails to mention are the Stout Grove Trail and the Simpson Reed Grove Trail in Jedediah Smith State Park. The Gold Bluffs Beach and the Fern Canyon Trail in Prairie Creek State Park were both great. We all agreed that one of our favorites was the Fern Canyon Trail. It was a loop trail that brought you through some of the most amazing scenery. There were three types of ferns that were abundant in the canyon. The ferns were a green carpet that covered the walls of the canyon. A beautiful sight.

We also visited the Trees of Mystery for $5.80 per person with a 20% off coupon. We basically went out of curiosity. It was okay, but we saw some of the same spectacular and unusual sights for free on the nature trails. The Redwoods have on odd way of surviving. They grow out of stumps, they grow out of the side of trunks and they` grow sideways. It is definitely something neat to see, but if you're going hiking anyway, you shouldn't bother paying.

We were able to see quite a bit in the Redwoods without having to hike to far. We enjoyed our visit to the Parks and were able to relax in our great campsite as well.

My parents had to head back down to San Francisco to fly home so we decided to take them back down. We took them across the Golden Gate Bridge and to some of the sights at the Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 that we enjoyed when we were there. For dinner we went back to the Crab House for a feast! An excellent dinner, we ordered the Crab Feast for four at $100. Although expensive it was delicious. If you've got the money, I highly recommend the Crab House on Pier 39.

I was really happy my parents were able to join us. It was a great visit in the Redwoods. Now up the coast to Oregon we go!

Julie Hackler