Fern Canyon

Fern Canyon, in Orick, California (off of Davison Road; had to cross two creeks on the dirt road to get there, so I don't recommend going via car, but an SUV or truck would be perfect. Or bike or walk over from Gold Bluffs Beach). Located in the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

I want to go there again in the spring when the salmon berries are said to be ripe (I've never seen, never the less tasted, salmon berries before), and the ferns should be more green.

(taken from 'California's Redwood Coast Map & Guide)

"Hwy 101 to Davison Road, three miles north of Orick, turn west, follow dirt road six miles to coast, three miles north to parking. Day-use fee. A "Lost World" awaits as you follow a narrow canyon, whose 50-foot walls are carpeted with luxuriant ferns and mosses. Easy two-mile loop back above the canyon."

I got to see (and finally learn the name of) my favorite fern, the five-fingered fern, since it was all over the place there ^_^ *Blackfirehawk and I had a blast enjoying the sights and climbing all over the place to make it upstream. Though I wish we knew to bring some plastic rain boots like the other people we passed by there XD Way easier to just go through the water than around it (which I did after a while, since I had flip flops on and could just roll up my pants, haha).

We went far enough up that we were able to go back on the trail loop that goes along the top of the canyon. At one point we found a side-trail that led us to the edge of the canyon, so we could look down on where we had just been. Just to test how high up it was I threw a small pine cone down....they aren't kidding when they say 50-foot-tall walls! O-o;

Very fun trip. Next time I bring more friends with me! lol