Avenue Of The Giants

We took the long way home when we left Truckee California, heading northwest toward Redding instead of east toward Minnesota. The route took us through mountains, valleys and attractive little towns like Sierraville and Red Bluff. It is hot in the valleys and cool in the mountains. We stumbled across the beautiful Feather River outside Quincy, California and stopped to enjoy the view.

We wandered up and down mountains until we reached Lassen Volcanic National Park where we picked up our lifetime National Parks Senior pass for $80. Most of the park was closed for the season but we drove as far as we could and got out to take in the beauty surrounding us in every direction. Dave took a video from a bridge that sits about 75 feet above Mill Creek. There wasn't a rail between us and the ground below. It was unnerving but a gorgeous view.

Eight foot vertical posts mark the path for the snowplow

We left Rte. 89 at Highway 36 toward Redding where we stayed for the night. We were surprised to see black volcanic rocks littering the valleys all along the open fields for many miles. It is amazing to think that these rocks were tossed during the last eruption from 1914-1917.

On day two we rose at the crack of dawn, hoping to make it to the Avenue of the Giants in the Humboldt Redwoods by days end. We drove through Greyeagle where the lupines are two feet tall and grow in the shadows of the burned out forest. The trees were destroyed yet new growth is springing up beneath the charred remains. It is eerie and beautiful at the same time.

Our course took us through Hayfork, a small mountain town where our friend Sonya grew up. As we made our way up the mountain we passed marijuana farms with greenhouses sprawling out on the meadows. The air holds the strong smell of cannabis terpenes. The road has a speed limit of 55 which seems impossible to maintain yet cars and work trucks continue to plow past us on the pull outs that allow slow drivers to get the heck out of the way of the locals who know these roads. The drive down the other side was no easier although it is a beautiful area with a lot to catch our eye. We are delayed more than once by land or rock slides. 

Once we made it down off of the mountain, we headed south to the Avenue of the Giants to walk among the Redwoods. We stopped at the Humboldt Drury Chaney Grove which is said to be the most popular and scenic trail. We hiked the 2.9 mile path in total awe of the magical forest. The trees tower over layers of age old redwood log debris. There is a thick carpet of oxalis or redwood sorrel, thriving in the shaded environment. Along with ferns, oxalis is the only plant that will grow in the cool moist conditions under the redwood trees. These beautiful giants are protected. Some grow right up to the blacktop of the road. Reflectors sit in front of them to warn drivers from striking them and to protect the trees from damage. This experience was a highlight of our entire trip. We wish we had more time here.