Day 351 – Humboldt Redwoods
Sunday we had planned for a long hike through the park, but most of the longer trails were on the opposite side of the Eel River, and the bridge had not been put in place for the season. So we did a few shorter hikes to Weott and later one along the river shore. Even though we didn’t get to do the hike we wanted, it was still amazing to spend the day among the giant trees.
Day 352 – Humboldt Redwoods to Elk Country Campground
Monday we continued the journey north through the Redwoods, stopping in Eureka for lunch and grocery shopping and then on to the Elk Country Campground, just south of Orick. The name did not disappoint, we immediately saw a herd of elk a few hundred yards away from our camp site. Then we spent the afternoon watching them slowly work their way towards us, until they were grazing around our van and all throughout the campground.
Day 353 – Elk Country Campground
Tuesday was a working day for Michael at campground, but it was still great because we were treated to elk grazing around and even taking a morning nap just a few feet from the van. It is probably good that we didn’t have plans because we really couldn’t have left because we were surrounded by elk all morning. Later when we could finally get out and walk around, we took a short hike around the campground, including a nice pond near the back of the property.
Day 354 – Elk Country Campground
After another morning of work for Michael, we walked to the beach, which was less than two miles away. Our route took us through the Humboldt Lagoons State Park, located across the highway from the campground. We enjoyed a nice walk on the beach, then back to the campground for dinner.
Day 355 – Elk Country Campground to Crescent City
Thursday after working all morning, we packed up the van and took the short drive north to our last stop in California, Crescent City. We had planned to camp further north, but the constant rain in the forecast made us think twice and switch to a hotel. Before checking in, we got groceries and then prepared for a wet, windy evening in the hotel.
Day 356 – Crescent City
Friday we stayed dry while working from the hotel most of the day. We took advantage of an afternoon break in the rain to walk to the Battery Point Lighthouse and then back through the center of town.
Day 357 – Crescent City
The weather gave us another nice break Saturday morning, so we got in the van and drove about five miles to hike the Boy Scout Tree Trail. It was an incredible hike through the old-growth forest, with some of the largest trees we had seen so far. At the end of the trail, we were even treated to a very picturesque waterfall. It was definitely one of the more unique and memorable hikes on the entire trip.
By the time we got back into town the rain had started again, so we relaxed after the hike in the hotel, before venturing out once more to eat dinner at Seaquake Brewing.
