Morning Light in the Redwoods - California

In late May of 2015 I spent a week in Redwood National Park, trying to escape the crowds, hence hiking a mile or more from any trailhead and sleeping in my tent. Using this simple technique I was able to put in 80 miles of backpacking while only seeing 2 other people. During the spring, Redwood Creek, which is definitely not a creek, becomes washed out, and impassible through the normal backpacking route. This detour can add approx. 20 miles to the redwood creek hike, which in my opinion is awesome.

My detour started in the small village of Oreck where I parked the X-Terra in a horse field and climbed the coastal range 1500 feet vertical which then drops into the Redwood Creek drainage. It was pouring rain as it usually is in Oreck. By the time I reached Redwood creek everything was wet, as it would stay for the following 3 days. The humidity was high and the low pressure system sitting over the coast ensured low lying fog and cloud cover in the redwoods. Every morning the sun would peak through for at least 20-30 minutes allowing me to photograph the redwoods in ideal conditions.

During this time of year everything is in full flux. The flowers are blooming and everything is sucking up water to prepare of the coming summer and fall. This is my favorite time of year to spend a few days backpacking through some of the largest trees in the world!

MorningLighttheRedwoodsCalifornia

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