Northern California: Humboldt and the Lost Coast, Northern California, July 2011: Hikes, Patrick's Point, Eureka, Ferndale
Page 1 of 4
Two days after returning from the Atacama Desert in Chile, Lisa and drove up to Humboldt Redwoods State Park, by the Avenue of the Giants, in Northern California, about a ten hour drive. Bull Creek runs near the Mattole Road. The trails in the area, well, I'm not sure where they run or where the signs are. But no matter, it was beautiful, and we had fun, ending our hiking with a drive down Mattole Road to Honeydew, deep in the Lost Coast, the King Range National Conservation area. ~~~ Our trip: We would stay in Humboldt Redwoods State Park for four nights, then go to Shelter Cove, a picturesque cove tucked in the middle of dramatic mountain ranges known as The Lost Coast, so named because there are no highways or major roads (or sometimes drivable roads), and is the most isolated stretch of coast in the West Coast of the United States. We'd then drive back down the Pacific Coast Highway through Mendocino and Sonoma to San Francisco. I had just returned from my three-week trip to the Atacama Desert in Chile, and was happy to hit the road again, spending time camping and hiking with Lisa. |
Let's let Humboldt Redwoods State Park's website tell you about the hike: "The hike takes you through the redwood forest and to an open area known as Johnson Prairie, in honor of the Johnson family who homesteaded there in the 1870's. The end of the trail takes you to the gravesite of Addie Johnson, who with her husband Tosaldo Johnson settled the area. Magnificent views of Grasshopper Peak and the forest can be had at the prairie. Trailhead: An unmarked turnout 0.1 miles west of the Big Trees area, 4.2 miles west of Avenue of the Giants on Mattole Road. Length: 2.2 miles total Time: 1.5 hours Elevation +/-: 600'." |
Addie Johnson Trail and its very very tall residents, Humboldt Redwoods State Park. |
I had thought it'd be funny to place our tent up on the redwood stump in front, which was about the same circumference, but common sense prevailed. |
|
 Mossy stairs at Patrick's Point. |
And it looks like Agate Beach was pretty great for playing Trac-Ball as well. |
 After collecting rocks at Agate Beach, we drove down to the bay at Trinidad, which has a small lighthouse up on the cliff. I didn't Photoshop it out, no worries, it's just simply not in this photo. |
(photo taken with Leica point-and-shoot) |
Mr. Carson, the owner, married Sarah Wilson, who would occasionally sit in her rocking chair and look at Humboldt Bay. Even now, some locals and tourists say that during a full moon, her rocking chair still rocks... |
(photo taken with Nikkor 50mm prime f/1.4) |
Forbes named Ferndale one of America's Prettiest Towns. "From its well-preserved Victorian-era main street, to its five-minute drive from California’s magnificent, undeveloped Lost Coast, Ferndale is a surprising trip back in time, with just enough modern quirkiness to make it unique." |
Many of Ferndale's buildings have been recreated at the Legoland California theme park - the only American small town represented alongside New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas and other nationally known locations. |
|
A rather textured truck just outside Ferndale. Ferndale is located 250 miles north of San Francisco in the Lost Coast area. |
Ken's photos of Nobel Peace Prize Winner Aung
San Suu Kyi, as well as photos of Peru, Burma, India, Morocco, China, Thailand,
Ghana, Ecuador, and elsewhere, have appeared in many books, magazines,
websites, and galleries. Visit the
Ken Lee Photography Website. Some of Ken's select photos may be
purchased through his
Imagekind Store. |
Northern California: Humboldt and the Lost Coast, Northern California, July 2011
Page 1 of 4
Eleven Shadows Travel Page
Contact photographer/musician Ken Lee
Bull Creek, Humboldt Redwoods. 
Our campsite, campsite #141 in Hidden Springs, with Lisa cooking something delicious while I screw around with the camera. 
The next day, we drove farther north from our campground to Patrick's Point, north of Eureka and Arcata. The day was foggy, cold, and overcast and occasionally raining/drizzling. Welcome to the Northern California coast. No matter, we had a good time.
Agate Beach in Patrick's Point. This is an outstanding beach for looking for beautiful rocks. The few people who go to this beach seem to walk with their head down, looking for colorful rock, even semi-precious stone. Lisa amassed quite a collection. 
Eureka doorhandle.
Carson Mansion in Eureka. The home serves as a model for haunted house art work and design. 
Eureka, CA, not far from that haunted house up on the hill.
The streets of lovely Ferndale, famous for its Victorian homes.
