Redwood National Park is just up the road from us, so we did a quick day hike. It is hard to capture the scale and beauty of the trees, plus we saw a few elk and deer.
In 1976 on my first visit to California, and only second to the USA, I went to the Sequoia Natl Park. So incredible! I had made a bit of preparation by bringing my walking/climbing boots but also needed to get local maps. At the ranger station I got a large scale map (USGS, think it was 1:50,0000) and asked if they had a compass to sell me. No was the answer, so I asked if people never got lost in those mountains. "Sir, people do not get out of their vehicles in those mountains" was the answer. I did spot a bobcat but it clocked me while moving as slowly as I could to get my camera and it was gone in an instant / In fact navigation turned out not to need a compass for a day stroll. Stay on top of the ridge you're on and when it's time to go back turn through 180 degrees.
3 snaps I took today of British wildflowers Snap 1 is a newly emerging flower spike on the northern marsh orchid. Snap 2 Red campion. Snap 3 the stunning ,wood cranesbill .
Humboldt Redwoods is also a beautiful place. We live midway between the two parks and have spent a lot of time at both.
That is the truth. I am shocked at how few people you see at busy parks once you are a mile or further from a road.
Yup. In late November I did not see another person, or even car on the road, until I descended below below the 4,000 ft -ish cloud/smoke/smog cover above the Central Valley. It was so lovely and clear above there.