Bull Creek Redwoods

[Gerald_Beranek]

Come on out, Chris. I'd love to take you on a hike through the redwoods.

 

[chris_girard]

I will definitely have to do that next year Jer!

 

[Gerald_Beranek]

Since I haven't been working a full time job it's been a lot easier for me to act as sort of a guide.

 

[Zac]

Nice pics Jerry and Mario! I'm trying to convince my wife that we should go to the coast while she's on maternity leave this December. I'm not sure how a 1.5 month-old (not to mention the wife!) would like it if it was raining though...

I havn't been that far west in about 5 years, getting itchy!

 

[Zac]

here's a bigun in stout's grove, fuzzy picture but you get the idea

 

[Gerald_Beranek]

That's a nice pic, Zac. There's always some clear and mild days in the winter months. Great for hiking and picture taking, but it's a gamble making any plans for anything but a day or two in advance.

 

[mdvaden]

[ QUOTE ]
That's a nice pic, Zac. There's always some clear and mild days in the winter months. Great for hiking and picture taking, but it's a gamble making any plans for anything but a day or two in advance.

[/ QUOTE ]

I find that it's handy to at least have backup plans, and be prepared for sun or shine. Seems that a storm is about the only weather that really puts the brakes on totally.

In winter, I see folks with rainjackets or umbrellas on occassion. But somehow I manage to get there most often when there is no rain.

The backup plans are handy for, say, two days after a storm, but a road is closed from a trunk across it. Like last winter, I wanted to explore between Stout Grove and Nickerson Ranch trailhead. Howland Hill road was blocked and closed. No problem. Parked along Hy. 199 and hike Hiouchi trail to Stout Grove.

If Tall Trees Grove road was closed, someone may have to just explore Prairie Creek redwoods trails as an alternative.

But it seems that I'm always looking at the weather forecast a day or two before, because that's about the only time to know for certain.

 

[Gerald_Beranek]

Went to Montgomery Woods yesterday morning. Arrived there just about the time the sun was breaking over the ridge. This is the entrance into the grove.

 

[sean_freeman]

Wow factor 9, Jerry....beautiful pic

 

[TC]

[ QUOTE ]
Went to Montgomery Woods yesterday morning. Arrived there just about the time the sun was breaking over the ridge. This is the entrance into the grove.

[/ QUOTE ]

Jerry,

Great pic!

The the forest floor in the foreground looks very well trod, are there loads of walking tours to that spot?

 

[Gerald_Beranek]

Yeah that part of the Grove is well trod for sure. It is after all the main entrance into the grove. I've long suggested the parks use wood chips along the paths in this area to lessen the compaction from the foot traffic. And likewise in most similar and frequently visited groves.

 

[chris_girard]

That's a great idea Jer to use wood chips along the foot paths.

Have any of the park officials listened to you about this?

 

[Gerald_Beranek]

No, Chris. I only suggested chipping the trials during casual conversation with park rangers. And just a few times actually. In some areas the parks have raised walkways around popular areas and trees, but the paths themselves remain pretty compacted.

Knowing the California Park system Like I do there would be issues raised about chipping the trails. Chips from out of the area would be frowned upon, not native to the site and could harbor pests or disease.

And then utilizing the native windfalls and limb drop would be unnatural and take away from the natural decomposition process taking place in the woods.

So rather than risk any of that they will let the trails become compacted. Hopefully they could find a compromise in the future. Because really it is a good idea,, and would be good for the trees,, and people too.

 

[mdvaden]

Bumping a bunch of old redwood posts. Beranek came to mind this morning, since he mentioned heading up to Prairie Creek. And its that season again for many folks.