Sun rays through the redwood trees in Avenue of the Giants
Howland Hill Road Redwood Trees
After a few days driving down through Oregon, we finally reached California. The first major town across the border was Crescent City. Stopping at the local library/tourist information office I was surprised to find a talkative park ranger manning the desk. I guess I was expecting more of a quiet librarian, given the location.
I was only there to pick up some more brochures, but after chatting for a while the ranger asked if we were driving a 4×4 vehicle. We pointed to the car out the window and he directed us to an unpaved stretch of road just outside of town, where he’d been working that morning.
Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park
This park spans the border between Oregon and California. The usual place to visit is the Redwood Highway, home to three quarters of the world’s 100 tallest trees. The ranger suggested visiting Howland Hill Road, right in the middle of the park.
A quick drive through the suburbs led us to a turning into the forest. Despite warnings, the roads weren’t too muddy and we could probably have made it in a normal car, but the 4×4 was a bonus. Being away from the crowds and tarmac, we had the place to ourselves for over an hour.
Gotta love the advice of Park Rangers!
Avenue of the Giants
Further down Highway 101 we took a slight detour along the Avenue of the Giants. Here a 33-mile long stretch of road passes directly through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The trees are not as tall, but far more dense here and only a few shafts of sunlight reach the road.
The Coast Redwood trees here reach up to 346ft tall. The previous tallest tree was the Dyerville Giant, at 370ft, but that fell in 1991. There’s supposedly an entrance fee to the Avenue of the Giants of $8, but we saw nowhere to pay…
Turning away from the main avenue there are all sorts of picnic spots, information offices and swimming holes. Despite all the attractions we only saw a few other cars in the couple of hours we were there.
Arcata
Arcata is another town, like Newport, that is lauded in all the guidebooks as a cosy little place to visit, full of quirky attractions. It may well be, but arriving after 6pm, everything was closed for the night, even many of the restaurants.
Off the usual track in Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park
Driving through Avenue of the Giants
Steam rising, where the sun touches the road in Avenue of the Giants
Spectacular photos! Thanks for posting them.
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soooo beautiful!
What gorgeous photos. The next best thing to being there.
Having been there myself, I can say that nothing compares to actually standing under 300 foot tall redwoods. Pictures simply can’t capture it.
Some of the trees are more than ten feet in diameter. It’s amazing.
Beautiful shots. Brought back wonderful memories.
Really great photos Stephen!
Have photos, will trek.
There’s some beautiful paths to be trodden out there in the world and these looks just perfect for it.
WOW these are fantastic photos Stephen!
This was always a must-see when I was a kid, especially being from flat-as-a-pancake Illinois where our “vegetation” was soybeans and cornstalks. Thanks for sharing!
I love how the light looks coming through the trees. That looks like an amazing drive or hike.
Ah “Avenue of the Giants”, that’s a great name for it! Wonderful shots, especially because they catch so well the light stream filtered by the leaves.
Really very beautiful images. After seeing these pictures, I would go there with my bf and would enjoy every moment.
I like your post & photos and i live here in Crescent City.