2003 Coastal Trail Expedition

Patrick's Point to Clam Beach: 13.3 miles

June 10, 2003 - Humboldt Northern

 

Last night we literally dragged ourselves in to camp. We were tired! Immediately after dinner everyone was in bed. But today was very different.

 

We began our day by revisiting the “getting to resolution” agreement that we all agreed upon before starting the journey. Consensus was that we were still on track. We then walked over to the visitor’s center where we met Jessica Scanlan, our leader for the day. Jessica is from New York, is a forest ecologist with the BLM, and currently is working in the Headwaters Forest.

 

From Patrick’s Point to Trinidad, we are mainly road walking along Patrick’s Point Road. Along the way, Jessica points out the various trees that we see and describes the “Krumholtz Effect” wherein trees near the sea suffer from the constant wind and salt spray. We’ve all seen trees bent and stunted by this phenomenon. It aptly described all of us the night before.

 

Finally we took a side trail to Trinidad State Beach within sight of Pewetole Island. Then it was up from the beach and through the town of Trinidad to the memorial lighthouse for our lunch-time break. After lunch we continued along Scenic Drive to Moonstone County Park. Here we forded Little River and hit the firm sands of Little River State Beach. This beach is extremely flat; the result is that the force and violence of the waves have been spent by the time they reach the shoreline, leaving only the subtlety and interplay of light and motion to delight the eye. (Jon)

Next Up:

Getting Started

Jun 1, 2003

June 1, 2003 – Del Norte The Coastal Trail Expedition 2003 “steps off” June 3!  You’d never believe that taking a walk could be so complicated – and involve so many people and organizations.  Getting ten hikers to the Oregon border for a summer’s walk to Mexico has been a two year project for Coastwalk. …

Planning the Hike is a Big Deal

Jun 2, 2003

June 2, 2003 – Del Norte Grover Beach (April 27, 2003)  A pivotal step in insuring the success of the Coastal Trail Expedition 2003 was the purchase of a 1997 Dodge 15-passenger van.  In excellent condition, it would provide the wheels to allow our feet to walk the state.  Volunteer and Coastwalk Board member Mel…

We’re Off

Jun 3, 2003

Del Norte The Coastal Trail Expedition 2003 is moving south! Our first Del Norte morning was glorious with only a gentle breeze off the Pacific to cool us from the warm sun.  Our morning chores completed and our camping gear stowed away on the van’s roof rack, we drove the two miles from camp at…

Reached Crescent City with no blisters yet!

Jun 4, 2003

Del Norte We met our guides for the day, Jim Barrett and Aaron Jacobs, at the shoreline of Lake Earl.  With them was Tim Williamson from California Fish and Game, a grizzled bear of a man, and the pilot/captain of our ferry across the lake via an air boat.  Taking us 3-5 at a time…

From Crescent City to the Damnation Trail Trailhead: 12 miles

Jun 5, 2003

2003 Coastal Trail Expedition From Crescent City to the Damnation Trail Trailhead: 12 miles June 5, 2003 – Del Norte   After meeting our guide for the morning,  Beverly Noll, we first walked the 2 miles or so along the waterfront in Crescent City.  Inland and across a street was a large park; a gift…

Onto the mouth of the Klamath River: 12 Miles

Jun 6, 2003

2003 Coastal Trail Expedition Onto the Mouth of the Klamath River: 12 Miles June 6, 2003 – Del Norte   Our day’s hike begins in a magnificent redwood forest shrouded in fog.  We descend and ascend through steep drainage.     The redwoods above are seining the fog, extracting its moisture for their own use.…

Leaving Del Norte on the Way South

Jun 7, 2003

2003 Coastal Trail Expedition Leaving Del Norte on the Way South June 7, 2003 – Northern Humboldt   Before getting up, it sounds like rain on the tent but it is only heavy dew from the fog being shaken from the trees by the first winds of morning. While most of us worked on striking…

Gold Bluff Beach to Redwood Visitor’s Center: 11.5 miles

Jun 8, 2003

2003 Coastal Trail Expedition Gold Bluff Beach to Redwood Visitor’s Center: 11.5 miles June 8, 2003 – Northern Humboldt   This morning we got to meet Bert Taylor, Coastwalk’s Humboldt County coordinator, who has done so much to insure that our walk through this county will be pleasant and successful. With Bert was Rob Amerman, our…

Redwood Visitor’s Center to Patrick’s Point: 12.3 miles

Jun 9, 2003

2003 Coastal Trail Expedition Redwood Visitor’s Center to Patrick’s Point: 12.3 miles June 9, 2003 – Humboldt Northern   After staying the night at Prairie Creek State Park we drove back to the Redwood Visitor’s Center and were met by our guide Everett Henkle from Arcata.   We begin walking on the beach.  To the…