The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: jetting around humboldt

  • #ExploreHumboldt: Fern Canyon

    #ExploreHumboldt: Fern Canyon

    Fern Canyon provides a beautiful, classic Humboldt scene with a stunning beach as a bonus

    Hello and welcome back to the #ExploreHumboldt column, where we take an in-depth look at nearby natural areas that Humboldt State students should make a point of visiting. This week, we’re looking at one of the most heavily-photographed locations in Humboldt County: Fern Canyon.

    Seriously, if you search “#HumboldtCounty” on Instagram it’s roughly 30 percent Fern Canyon photos, the rest being a mix of close-up weed shots and photos of the beach.

    Fern Canyon is in Prairie Creek State Park and is part of a much larger network of coastal trails. You could spend multiple days getting lost in the 75 miles of trails or camping at the 75 sites. There’s also a 19-mile mountain bike loop for those who are interested.

    The towering walls of Fern Canyon are so picturesque, they were actually used in several parts of Steven Spielberg’s classic “Jurassic Park” franchise. | Photo by Jett Williams

    Fern Canyon is exactly what it sounds like, a big natural canyon with 50-foot walls completely coated in five different types of ferns. Fern Canyon trail runs through the base of the canyon, but the trail is really more of a suggestion. Once you’re in the canyon, hiking seems almost irrelevant and you’ll want to stop plenty of times to soak in the views.

    The cool coastal air combined with the sound of the stream running through the canyon’s floor makes this an amazing spot for quiet relaxation and reflection. This stream also makes it very hard to navigate the canyon floor without getting your feet wet, so wear waterproof shoes if you’ve got them. Direct sunlight only reaches the canyon for a few hours each day, so bring an extra layer to avoid getting cold in the later hours of the day.

    To reach Fern Canyon you’ll need a car. The turn off 101 is two miles north of Orick and a 40-minute drive from Arcata. After the turn onto Davison Road, continue for three and a half miles until you reach the state park entrance. Be aware that it’s $8 per vehicle, and they DO NOT accept credit cards. The closest ATM is Orick, so plan accordingly.

    The final miles of dirt road to reach the trailhead are littered with potholes, and a stream crossing in the last mile is where less capable vehicles will have to park. Luckily, it’s a short hike from there to the trailhead, but anything with decent clearance can make it through.

    Fern Canyon, like Strawberry Rock, is a very popular destination without a whole lot of square footage. This means that unless you arrive very early or very late, you will not be alone. When I visited, the parking lot was almost full. However, the park is expansive and visitors can explore at their own pace, so while Fern Canyon is never empty, I never felt crowded or like I needed more space.

    Roosevelt Elk are a common sight to see in this state park, but keep your wits about you. Elk can become aggressive in an instant if they’re provoked. Keep a safe distance and use the zoom on your camera. | Photo by Jett Williams

    After you’ve finished exploring the canyon, walk through the parking lot, past the bathrooms and out onto the expansive beach. Miles of flat sand stretch out in either direction, providing a stark contrast to the confined canyon walls. If you’re lucky, you might come across a herd of wild Roosevelt Elk in the coastal grass fields just inland of the beachfront.

    These creatures have a six-week mating season from August to October and are aggressively protective of their young. Never directly approach or get too close to the Elk, as they can turn confrontational in a heartbeat.

    Detailed maps are available at the entrance booth or online at the park’s website. Ambitious explorers can link the Fern Canyon loop into other optional trails, and turn a short excursion into a full day hike. Either way, get out there and don’t forget to #ExploreHumboldt.

  • #ExploreHumboldt: Patrick’s Point

    #ExploreHumboldt: Patrick’s Point

    Patrick’s Point offers multiple options for beach-lovers at an affordable price

    This week’s #ExploreHumboldt column covers a fan favorite, the majestic and expansive Patrick’s Point. This one-square-mile State Park features some of the best beach spots around and is a perfect destination for a daytime picnic, sunset beach run or weekend camping trip.

    As a state park, Patrick’s Point includes amenities that we have not seen in previous #ExploreHumboldt entries. These include bathrooms with running water, clearly marked trailheads with accurate mileage, picnic tables with BBQ grills and over 120 overnight camping spots.

    Because of its State Park status, Patrick’s Point has well-maintained and clearly-marked trails with mileage indicators. | Photo by Jett Williams

    However, these benefits come at a cost. There is a $8 vehicle fee, with no student discount. The litany of areas to explore and the overall quality of the experience make it worth the price of admission. You should leave a couple hours of time minimum to to fully experience the park and get your money’s worth.

    Patrick’s Point also features several “Hike n’ Bike” campsites. Those who bike or hike into the park benefit from free admission as well as their own area with campsites reserved for non-car users. These sites include all the features of a car site, with a location closer to the best points of interest.

    The view looking north from Wedding Rock is one of the most spectacular in the park. The beach access trail can be seen in the bottom left corner. | Photo by Jett Williams

    To get to Patrick’s Point, take Hwy 101 north past Trinidad, and take the ‘Patrick’s Point’ exit. Turn left, and continue until you see signs for the park. Alternatively, you can drive to Trinidad and bike along Stagecoach Road, turning left onto Patrick’s Point drive before arriving at the park. This way, you get a bit of extra exploration in, while avoiding the $8 vehicle fee.

    If you want to see everything, it’s worth bringing some hiking shoes and a day pack to walk the length of the park. There are a ton of different spots to visit at Patrick’s Point, so I’ll quickly go over some of my favorites.

    Sea Anemones are easily found at the tidepools near Palmer’s Point during low tide. Tide tables are available online and at the park’s entrance. | Photo by Jett Williams

    A network of trails connects the different points of interest spread throughout the park. Plan to hike at least a couple of miles if you want to see everything. Most of the main rim trail is fairly flat and some sections are wheelchair-accessible. However, the access trails that take you to most of the prominent locations are very steep, as they often run straight up and down the steep coastal hills.

    Wedding Rock is the most spectacular point in the park. This massive rock structure juts up from the coastline, providing stellar views of the surrounding rough coastline. The park’s original caretaker was married there in the early 1900s, and Wedding Rock has been home to several weddings every year since.

    Sumeg Village is a recreated Yurok village, built by the local tribe with modern tools and traditional materials and practices. The village is used by the tribe for cultural traditions and features two redwood canoes, a sweat room and a native plant garden, also maintained by the tribe.

    Sumeg Village provides a nice spot for quiet reflection. The area was built with traditional Yurok techniques by the local tribe, and is still used today for rituals and ceremonies. | Photo by Jett Williams

    The Agate Beach is another location worth your time. This expansive stretch of coastline seems to span as far as the eye can see, with a pristine beach of light sand and naturally-occurring agate stones.

    When visiting Patrick’s Point, remember that swimming in the frigid North Coast waters is highly discouraged. The undertow is strong, and sweeper waves can catch unattentive visitors off-guard. Dogs are allowed, on-leash only, but are not permitted on trails or beaches. Also, refrain from picking the local mushrooms and wildflowers. They have a hard enough time surviving without being plucked by the unaware.

    After a long school week, we all need a bit of calm reflection and relaxation. Carve out at least an afternoon later this week or this weekend to visit our closest state park, and don’t forget to keep exploring!