Exploring Redwood National and State Park

HIKING TRAILS

The best way to experience these gentle giants is to walk one of the many hiking trails. Things to consider are how much time you have, your hiking comfort level, and how far off the highway you want to go.

FOG

The often present fog made a walk to the World War II Radar Station eerie and a bit damp

Built in 1942/43, the radar station was disguised as a farmhouse and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Not only was guarding the Pacific coastline becoming increasingly important after the attacks on Pearl Harbor and the Aleutian Islands, but also because Japanese submarines fired upon Santa Barbara, British Columbia, and Fort Stevens.

The fog is great for the trees, but hindered our view of the Pacific Ocean.

WILDLIFE

We didn’t see quite as much wildlife as I thought we would. I guess we weren’t looking hard enough or the fog hid them from us. We did see butterflies, birds, banana slugs, a lizard, and elk.

Looking up we spotted a number of vultures hanging out in an area near a river. So, we pulled over to check it out. I don’t know exactly what the birds found, but it sure did stink.

We went to Elk Meadow, not far from the Prairie Creek Visitor Center, hoping to see the Roosevelt Elk. They weren’t there. However, a little later we spotted them just off Highway 101.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Outside the park are many tourist attractions.

Paul Bunyan at the Trees of Mystery.

We drove through the Tour Thru Tree in Klamath. They weren’t kidding when they said to pull in our mirrors.

We walked through the One Log House and got a snack in the gift shop.

We gawked at the Grandfather Tree, which is 265′ tall, with a diameter of 24′.

Planted near the Grandfather Tree were blue flowers that had gone to seed. Real blue, not the purpley blue most gardeners call blue. Amazing.

Next destination, San Francisco and a visit to the California Academy of Science.