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King among Kings
Back ~ Summary Listing of selected features Prairie Creek Sightseeing en route to & on the Oregon, Hiking, Horseback Riding and Mountain Biking in Hiking Trails in the northern Redwood Parks. California Redwoods State and National Parks. |
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Of all the parks in the Redwood pantheon, Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park, complemented by the rugged yet, pristine splendor of the Smith River, offers matchless beauty and charm. A mere drive in the canyon curves along the Smith River provides ample enjoyment. Meander the river’s sparkling emerald waters. Gently promenade arcades of stately Redwoods. The beauty of the sublime, and it’s easily viewed from Highway 199, or the Redwoods Highway, as it’s otherwise known. If you’ve only time for a short drive through, you might want to plan a short break at Walker Road just off the highway. There you’ll enjoy vistas of Redwoods profusely framed with ferns. Unless you absolutely have to hurry, try to make the most of this opportunity. The Stout Grove is a wonder. It’s the oldest grove in any park in the California Redwoods, and it’s not hard to find. Turn off Highway 199 about a mile east of Hiouchi, cross the bridge to South Fork Road; and you’ll have the option of going up or downstream on the Smith River. The Stout Grove is downstream, but you might want to explore some other delights before visiting the grove .If so, turn left to follow the much-heralded south fork of the Smith. Dense forest curtains much of the river, secreting it from the road. However, any contact is breathtaking. At one point the Smith displays unrivaled beauty: the gorge widens, the river slows down, emerald green waters gracefully wend their way, forgetting all the urgency that is but a stone’s throw upstream. No indication here of torturous rapids carving mountain gorges, coercing routes around boulders polished smooth by ages of driving cascades. These torrents are not easily viewed firsthand, although it’s certainly possible when in the gorge. Anyone desiring to confront the water’s turbulence should certainly research the river and her moods. Don’t make a decision solely upon views seen from the road as my companion and I did. We had no idea what we were getting into when we decided to put in at a little swimming hole upstream. I will never forget the people watching us as we did. Locals, they probably knew what we would face, floating the south gorge on inner tubes, no life jackets, no helmets. We didn’t even know it was a gorge until we were in it, and once in . . . Head downstream if you want to visit Stout Grove; that’s a right turn after crossing the bridge. Follow the paved road through a small residential area and over a covered bridge; after that it’s hardly more than a dirt track. Still it’s traversable so don’t give up. Besides, it will not be long before the sign for Stout Grove appears. When it does, turn right into the parking area and prepare for one of the greatest delights in any of the parks: nature untrammeled, great old trees and forest tranquility, all complimented by the Smith River flowing peacefully beside. Walk the trails; swim the river. All paths within the grove eventually make their way back to the same place. After you’ve seen Stout Grove, you might be in the mood for a little more redwood "mystery;" that which isn’t the commercial stuff. If so, turn right when you pull out of the parking area. True, the narrow, unpaved road demands slow speeds, but it also allows one to participate in the forest in a way not usually experienced when driving. Besides the route isn’t long, and it comes out not far from Crescent City, gateway to the rest of the parks, making this a fine conclusion to a visit at Jedediah Smith State Park in the California Redwoods. Copyright - gm - 2003 | |
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Travel Oregon and northern California while staying at Gathering Light ... a retreat | |
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Travel Directions to & Day Trips of about 100 miles from the retreat. Little known Scenic Places: hiking, sightseeing, wildlife viewing, birding ... Directions Map & Scenery. Local Maps Introduction. |
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Contact Brad at Gathering Light. | |