Day 30 – Humboldt Redwoods SP

18.7km out of 1918km so far

Today was a day off. Not so much to rest, but to spend some time in the Redwoods, one of the trip’s highlights. The Avenue of the Giants runs for 50km and yesterday I entered the area as the sun was setting. As the campground is in the mid point of this stretch, I ended up setting my tent in darkness. This morning I was looking forward for the light to come up and reveal my surroundings. I open my tent’s zipper to see dozen of giant sequoia trees around my tent trying to reach the skys.

Today's view from home

Today’s view from home

And looking up

And looking up

Bike still here

Bike still here

I took my time in the morning, had some breakfast, visited the nearby information office to check the maps and got ready for a day hike. I had to cycle back north 10km to find one of the trail-heads. Most of the trails followed the river and its surrounding streams. The river’s shoreline looked a lot wider than the water currently flowing and I’m sure it can be a lot more aggressive at times of the year. In fact some of the smaller creek bridges, are removed during the winter months.

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The forest dense enough barely allowing any light to penetrate its canopy. I saw several 100 meter tall trees, crashed on top of other ones, or to the ground, shattered like toothpicks under their own weight. The trail was long enough to take me to away from other people and the noise of the nearby highway.

Crushed trunk on another tree

Crushed trunk on another tree

Little summer bridge to cross

Little summer bridge to cross

I got this

I got this

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Two balancing trunks

Two balancing trunks

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Back to the campground

Back to the campground

I found a good spot in the forest and had a sandwich, carrots and an avocado for lunch. I spent a few good hours in the trail and headed back to the campsite while it was still bright. I met again the two cyclists/hikers that were by stream with the storm the other day. They were together with another couple that were cycling north to Portland.

Random fact of the day/George’s pointless moaning – While in Portland I ended up buying a (more expensive than I wanted to spend) second stove, as the one I brought with me uses canisters that have been discontinued in North America. All this time I was looking forward to finish my first canister so I can post the stove back in Greece and save on space and weight. Who would have thought though, days after I bought the new one, I would find a full canister on one of campsite’s table, with a note on it reading ‘Free to Take’!
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