Natural History Wanderings

California Fall Color reports

the redwood forest at peak with bigleaf maple all golden and the toxic tentacles of rosy poison oak climbing toward sunlight.

Suggest these routes:

“Humboldt Redwoods State Park – The best maples can be seen along the Avenue of Giants and along Highway 101 when you can catch views of the Eel River.  Poison oak creeping up the redwoods can be seen along the Avenue of Giants and Mattole Road.  

“Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park – Maple lining Prairie Creek can be seen along Drury Parkway but a better option would be to hike the entire Prairie Creek Trail.  As a native New Englander there’s something particularly satisfying about kicking up leaves while hiking through the forest.  The Prairie Creek Trail currently scratches that nostalgia itch.

“Redwood National Park – Maple lining Lost Man Creek near Highway 101 are at peak.  It’s a pleasant short drive along the road lining the creek with a couple of well placed pullouts.  You can continue hiking up Lost Man Creek Trail to find more goodies.  I also hiked Redwood Creek this weekend and there are tiny shows appearing amongst the evergreen.  The recent rain storm missed northern Humboldt.  Redwood Creek continues to be unseasonably low and can easily be forded and hiked.  The maple at the northern section of the Tall Trees Grove are impressively large and currently at peak.

Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Avenue of the Giants

See photos at  Avenue of the Giants Goes Gigantic