Redwoods and Rhododendrons Field Trip June 4th– June 8th
Notes:
- Post edited for 1 year delay due to Covid-19
- Due to my work schedule I will be going over on Wednesday the 2nd and coming back Sunday the 6th. I hope to get some scouting in, so I can let other people know what is blooming where. There is no hard and fast beginning or end to this trip, stay as long as you wish.
- California State Parks are accepting reservations.
- The plans, of course, depend on Covid-19 issues.
Dave Horton and I (Mark Gotchall) will be organizing a field trip to three Redwood State Parks that are the closest to Crescent City, CA. The trip is planned for Friday, June 4th through Tuesday, June 8th. Weather permitting we will have rhododendrons in bloom among the redwood trees. This is the most common time to catch the rhododendrons in bloom however, there are no guarantees.
Parks
- Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=413 Not very many rhododendrons, but some very nice hikes and large redwoods. Approximately 6 miles (ca. 10 km) from Crescent City
- Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=414 Several trails that should have rhododendrons in bloom, and possible fog, against the redwoods. Approximately 10 miles (ca. 16 km) south of Crescent City.
- Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=415 Large trees, many trails, rhododendrons, Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon. Cal Barrel Rd climbs a ridge and has many photo opportunities right from the road. Park, walk 100 feet (ca. 30 m), shoot, drive another ¼ mile, rinse and repeat. The Visitors Center is approximately 32 miles (ca. 51 km) south of Crescent City.
We may arrange a late afternoon get together, where we can socially distance on Friday. Also, we may meet Saturday for a picnic lunch to compare notes. More details to follow at a later date.
Hotels
- We are planning on staying at the Curly Redwood Lodge at the south end of Crescent City. It is a retro hotel and has redwood paneling in all the rooms that came from one tree. http://www.curlyredwoodlodge.com/
- There are many other options at the south end of Crescent City https://www.google.com/maps/search/hotels+near+Crescent+City,+CA/@41.7489083,-124.1837522,16z/data=!4m7!2m6!5m4!5m2!1s2020-05-29!2i4!10e4!6e3?hl=en
Campgrounds
- California State Parks Reservation link. https://www.reservecalifornia.com/CaliforniaWebHome/Facilities/SearchViewUnitAvailabity.aspx
- Jedediah Smith State Park, I have stayed here before, it is a nice campground, but is at the northern most park.
- Mill Creek Campground in Del Norte Coast Redwoods Park. This park is closer to Crescent City and the middle of the three parks.
- Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, I have also stayed here before, nice park
- There are also several campgrounds at the south end of Crescent City https://www.google.com/maps/search/campogrounds+near+Crescent+City,+CA/@41.7432944,-124.1819889,15.5z/data=!4m5!2m4!5m3!5m2!1s2020-05-29!2i4?hl=en
Other Shooting Opportunities
- Battery Point Lighthouse, Crescent City
- False Klamath Cove
- Klamath River Overlook
- Mill Creek or Smith River
- Fern Canyon, Prairie Creek Redwood Park
- Elk herds at Prairie Creek, Gold Bluffs Beach or Orick, Ca
- Bald Hills
If you were at the Photo Trip Planning Education Night, use the tools to look at these places or search for more places to shoot images
Last Updated on March 1, 2022
