January 17, 2004
King Range National Conservation Area, Humboldt County
(Hidden Valley Trailhead to Chemise Mountain, 5 miles)
Beginning our ascent of Chemise Mountain from the Hidden Valley Trailhead
Mist hangs in the valley
Emerging from the woods into Hidden Valley
A more expansive view of Hidden Valley
Finnegan races to keep us together on the trail
Much of the trail is in dense woodland (fir and Madrone)
Waiting for the stragglers near the top of Chemise Mountain
The path begins to open up near the crest . . .
. . . and provides some tantalizing views of the ocean below
Emerging from the woods into chapparel
A small panorama from Chemise Mountain
Madrones arch over the path amidst huge Douglas Firs
A glimpse of the peaks to the east, in the Yolla Bolly Wilderness
Fog creeps in and obscures the ocean views on the way down
Hidden Valley at dusk
January 18, 2004
(from Nadelos Campground, via the Lost Coast Trail)
This route passes through more old growth forest than the Hidden Valley Trail
Fallen trees and rushing streams are common in the "Lost Coast" wilderness areas
The Nadelos Trail is a shorter, steeper ascent
Dense fir forests define the Lost Coast in northwestern California
Lovely arching Madrones and moss line the trail
A good example of twisting trunks on the Madrones
We're dwarfed by magestic Douglas Firs
A glimpse of the surrounding hills, mostly obscured by cloud
Beginning the return trip
A final pause to soak in the beauty
A boot "blowout" forced us to return early, but an expert application of duct tape
helped me hit the trail running again the next day!