Another full day today, though it did not feel quite as busy as yesterday, since it didn't start with a 5-hour+ drive! I visited:
- Stout Grove
- Mill Creek Campground & Hobbs Wall
- Coastal trail from Klamath
- Gold Bluffs Beach
- Fern Canyon Trailhead
- Quick survey of a few trails in Prairie Creek State Park to plan for Friday morning
- Redwood Creek Overlook
- Lady Bird Johnson Grove [2d visit; image above]
Of all these places, I would probably not come back to Hobbs Wall. It was a very pleasant short hike, but there is just not much there. And Mill Creek Campground is . . a campground. No hiking trails according to the NPS ranger I met. The Hobbs Wall trail, at the top of the entrance into the Mill Creek Campground, right off 101, is a pretty trail with mostly secondary growth redwoods, a few old growth trees, lots of stumps, a fair number of banana slugs, and lots of ferns.
I also would not return to Gold Bluffs Beach; although lovely in a minimalist way with some nice camping spots, it lacked interest for me. Note that both Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon parking lots require reservations and either state or US passes or paid fees. The slots go fast.
Pretty much the opposite with Stout Grove. I'm not a big fan of "bucket lists." I prefer To-Do Lists, with lots of check marks. But regardless of your approach to life, the drive into Stout Grove along Howland Hill Road is something to add to your list. It is a stunning. Note that though the road is unpaved, and has a lot of one-way-only passages—if you encounter someone coming from the other direction, one of you will need to pull into a turnout—it's not hard on cars, but it will be virtually impossible for RVs and trailers. Note also that Stout Grove is popular; its small parking lots fill up quickly, and you may find it prudent simply to park on out by or on Howland and walk in; it's a very short walk.
