Backpacking in Humboldt Redwoods State Park

In late April, I wandered up in to the coastal mountains in Humboldt Redwoods State Park for an overnight backpacking trip.  The trip began in an old growth redwood forest and climbed up out of it to grassy meadows covered in wild flowers.  I climbed over 3,000 feet to a campsite just below Grasshopper Peak (3,379 feet), the highest peak in the park.  A lonely fire tower sat at the summit.  From this 360 degree vantage point, I watched an amazing sun set to the west and moon rise to the east.  There were purple mountains as far as the eye could see in every direction.  The following day, I ate a leisurely breakfast at the summit while watching the ocean fog deep in the valleys below.  I then continued around a long loop back through old growth forest to my car. 

Hiking up through the old growth forest

Tiny lupine literally covered through meadows in places on Hansen Ridge

A beautiful old growth madrone tree

Looking SE from the summit of Grasshopper Peak

Looking SW from the summit of Grasshopper Peak - that's King Peak in the distance

Moonrise!

Fire tower on top of Grasshopper Peak in early morning light

Fog way in the valley below

Morning view back toward King Peak

 

A Birthday Celebration along the Chetco River

We celebrated a very special birthday on April 2nd!  Our precious, little angel turned ONE year old!!  Jasper's birthday celebration involved a 3-day cabin trip to Loeb State Park in Southern Oregon.  The cabin is along the incredibly beautiful turquoise waters of the Chetco River.  A trail led from the cabin along the river, then up into a stunning, lush glen with moss, a babbling brook and towering redwood trees.  We were intrigued to hear that this stand of redwood trees is the northern-most stand of redwoods along the coast.  In the afternoon of day 2, we drove the short distance to the coast where we explored Harris Beach State Park.  Jasper especially enjoyed splashing a small puddle of water filled with intertidal creatures on a rock.  On the final day, rain poured down, making a departure much more easy.  It was a wonderful birthday celebration!

Our cabin for 3 days!

Along the beautiful edge of the Chetco River

Exploring in the northern-most stand of redwoods

A happy baby eats a treat in the cabin!

A lush paradise of quiet babbling brooks and towering redwood trees