Redwoods camping Jebediah Smith or Praire Creek
Rea - Thomas A.
Jebediah Smith or Prarie Creek campsite?
deb neel
be older. It just seems that way to me. Prarie Creek will also give you
access to Fern Canyon - a real cool fern lined canyon [duh!] on the coast.
Roosevelt elk also call Prarie Creek home.
Here is a snip from the "official" Prarie Creek park map and guide:
"The park has two developed campgrounds. The Elk Prarie camp has 75
campsites and is located 6 miles north of Orick just off Highway 101 on the
Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. Gold Bluffs Beach campground has 25
campsites and is reached by way of Davison Road, off Highway 101, three miles
north of Orick. Both campgrounds offer firerings, tables and water nearby.
There are restrooms with flush toilets and showers at both campgrounds.
Reservations for Elk Prarie campground can be made from May through September
by phoning PARKNET at 1-800-444-7275. The rest of the year the campground is
open on a first come-first served basis. Gold Bluffs campground is on a
first come-first served basis year round. There are also two backcountry
camps and an environmental camp within the Park. Backcountry campers are
reminded they must register and park at the visitor center and must camp in
designated campsites."
My personal favorite in this area is more of a backcountry adventure and in
the southern part of the National Park. You can get a free permit to gain
access to the Tall Trees trail via the C-line Road. This trail will take you
down to Redwood Creek. When you get to the creek, take a left and hike
upstream. From here, you hike on a gravel bar until it runs out - cross the
creek - hike that gravel bar until it runs out - cross the creek - hike that
gravel bar... for as far upstream as you like. I was there last Thanksgiving
weekend and did not see a soul once I got away from the trailhead.
Have a fun trip. These trees are really awe inspiring.
chris
Kent Fletcher
and more old growth forest. Part of Prairie Creek has been logged in the
past. However, I agree with Deb Neel's comments about the Fern Canyon hike
and other points of interest. Wherever you stay, you should hit the spots
that she mentions. If you have two vehicles, you can shuttle to the end of
the Fern Canyon hike, so that you hike downhill through the redwoods and
don't have to backtrack.
You really can't go wrong - both campgrounds are nice.
Kent Fletcher
"Rea - Thomas A." wrote:
No More Prisons
> I will be going to the Redwoods National Park in August. Should I camp in
> Jebediah Smith or Prarie Creek campsite?
I was there last summer and had one of the most incredibly spiritual
experiences in the Tall Trees Grove off the C-line road. You can catch the
road near Orick, there is a visitor center in that vicinity as well which
you have to check-in with before you drive the road. The TTG is great, you
drive down a gated dirt road for ~10 miles, then hike 3-4 miles into a
wonderland of the tallest redwoods you will ever see. A couple of clusters
must have had 20ft diameters. The tallest tree in the world is here. The
whole experience makes you feel like a little elf running through pixieland,
surrounded by mysterious ancient sages. It was a humbling experience to
feel the wisdom and energy this kind of forest puts out. You can even get a
FREE backcountry permit to hike the Redwood Creek Valley at least 1/2 mile
from TTG to setup an overnight camp. I suggest hiking upcreek from the TTG,
around a couple bends you will find great swimming holes and plenty of dry
driftwood. If you email me I could scan a couple of pictures from there and
send them to ya...
-Russell
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deb neel
the 10 mile drive to the trail head - - which was hard to believe.
chris