SoCal Trail RunningOutside SoCalRedwood National and State Parks

James Irvine and Miners Ridge Loop

5/13/22  On our last day, we hiked an awesome 10mi loop around the James Irvine and Miner's Ridge trails from the Redwoods to the ocean and back.
After yesterday's preview of the Redwoods, I was excited for today's hike. It did not disappoint. Here we found someone to snap a photo for us as we got started.
1 Another hiker offers to take a photo for us. After yesterday's preview of the Redwoods, I was excited for today's hike. It did not disappoint. Here we found someone to snap a photo for us as we got started.
 For our only full day in the park, we decided on a 10mi loop around the James Irvine and Miner's Ridge trails. The loop would take us from the Coastal Redwood groves to the Pacific Ocean and back.
2 For our only full day in the park, we decided on a 10mi loop around the James Irvine and Miner's Ridge trails. The loop would take us from the Coastal Redwood groves to the Pacific Ocean and back.
 We quickly found ourselves back amongst the giant trees. Unlike the Giant Sequoia groves where there may be an isolated giant or a small cluster, these Coastal Redwoods come in densely packed groves of hundreds of trees.
3 We quickly found ourselves back amongst the giant trees. Unlike the Giant Sequoia groves where there may be an isolated giant or a small cluster, these Coastal Redwoods come in densely packed groves of hundreds of trees.
 I find these canopy views fascinating.
4 I find these canopy views fascinating.
Dad's photo of me hanging out in the gaping burnt out core of a big tree. The scale is just massive.
5 Dad's photo of me hanging out in the gaping burnt out core of a big tree. The scale is just massive.
 Amazing greenery again today with ferns everywhere.
6 Amazing greenery again today with ferns everywhere.
 Entire hillsides covered in fern forest.
7 Entire hillsides covered in fern forest.
 The trail actually goes under the root system of a tree here. Seems a little precarious.
8 The trail actually goes under the root system of a tree here. Seems a little precarious.
The gnarled wood of a Redwood root.
9 The gnarled wood of a Redwood root.
 Singletrack doesn't get much better than this.
10 Singletrack doesn't get much better than this.
 Coastal Redwood roots are not deep but spread wide. Here they create an interesting pattern on the trail.
11 Coastal Redwood roots are not deep but spread wide. Here they create an interesting pattern on the trail.
 Again dwarfed by some big trees.
12 Again dwarfed by some big trees.
Dad's photo of me on a really giant chair. This would prove to be a fateful spot. After taking a few photos in the area and continuing on, I realized that I had lost my phone!! The thought of the cost was bad enough, but the thought of losing all the photos on it was far worse!
13 Dad's photo of me on a really giant chair. This would prove to be a fateful spot. After taking a few photos in the area and continuing on, I realized that I had lost my phone!! The thought of the cost was bad enough, but the thought of losing all the photos on it was far worse!
 After backtracking for a while then returning to the spot I realized it was missing, I miraculously found it laying off the trail in the ferns. The odds of me, or anywhere else, finding it there were slim to none. I got sooo lucky!
14 After backtracking for a while then returning to the spot I realized it was missing, I miraculously found it laying off the trail in the ferns. The odds of me, or anywhere else, finding it there were slim to none. I got sooo lucky!
 Me recreating where a tree snagged my backpack and flung the phone out into the ferns. After the adrenaline rush of losing and then finding the phone, it's time to carry on.
15 Me recreating where a tree snagged my backpack and flung the phone out into the ferns. After the adrenaline rush of losing and then finding the phone, it's time to carry on.
 The foliage starts getting tight in places as we approach Fern Canyon.
16 The foliage starts getting tight in places as we approach Fern Canyon.
Crossing the creek in Fern Canyon. Amazingly dense, vibrant green everywhere.
17 Crossing the creek in Fern Canyon. Amazingly dense, vibrant green everywhere.
 And a little muddy in places.
18 And a little muddy in places.
 Almost to the coast. Dad crosses the creek just before it empties into the ocean. This area is accessible by tourists, so we see a lot more people here.
19 Almost to the coast. Dad crosses the creek just before it empties into the ocean. This area is accessible by tourists, so we see a lot more people here.
 One of the more peculiar trail signs I've seen. At first I thought it was a warning not to get humped by an Elk, but I guess it's to warn that they rear up and attack if you get too close.
20 One of the more peculiar trail signs I've seen. At first I thought it was a warning not to get humped by an Elk, but I guess it's to warn that they rear up and attack if you get too close.
The Pacific Ocean. So bizarre to walk out of a Redwood rain forest onto a beach!
21 The Pacific Ocean. So bizarre to walk out of a Redwood rain forest onto a beach!
 There was a herd of Elk grazing right on the sand.
22 There was a herd of Elk grazing right on the sand.
 Then they started to move closer into the grasses.
23 Then they started to move closer into the grasses.
 And then eventually they got really close. A little too close for comfort given the warning sign.
24 And then eventually they got really close. A little too close for comfort given the warning sign.
A look South down the coastline. There's no way I could come this far and not get down to the water.
25 A look South down the coastline. There's no way I could come this far and not get down to the water.
 Made it to the water. And unintentionally into the water. Dad gets this photo as a wave catches me by surprise while trying to take a photo.
26 Made it to the water. And unintentionally into the water. Dad gets this photo as a wave catches me by surprise while trying to take a photo.
 The view South from the waterline.
27 The view South from the waterline.
 And the view North. Postcard perfect coastal views.
28 And the view North. Postcard perfect coastal views.
And a short video.
29 And a short video.
 After about a mile walk along a fire road, we turn up the other side of the loop on to the Miner's Ridge Trail. It's clearly less trafficked than the James Irvine Trail.
30 After about a mile walk along a fire road, we turn up the other side of the loop on to the Miner's Ridge Trail. It's clearly less trafficked than the James Irvine Trail.
 Before long, we're away from the coast and back into the big trees.
31 Before long, we're away from the coast and back into the big trees.
 It's amazing how young trees and other plants grow on, under, and all around the fallen Redwoods.
32 It's amazing how young trees and other plants grow on, under, and all around the fallen Redwoods.
I hope the drought never gets to the point that it affects the vibrant green up here!
33 I hope the drought never gets to the point that it affects the vibrant green up here!
 I would almost consider moving to have closer access to trails like these.
34 I would almost consider moving to have closer access to trails like these.
 I wonder where exactly the Return of the Jedi speeder bike scene was filmed? It was up here somewhere.
35 I wonder where exactly the Return of the Jedi speeder bike scene was filmed? It was up here somewhere.
 As we get later in the day, the misty weather turns into a light rain. Like yesterday, it just adds to the ambiance.
36 As we get later in the day, the misty weather turns into a light rain. Like yesterday, it just adds to the ambiance.
The PPM (Photos Per Mile) rate is off the chart in this place.
37 The PPM (Photos Per Mile) rate is off the chart in this place.
 The skinnier Redwoods here are younger. The trees reach their maximum height fairly quick and then thicken with age.
38 The skinnier Redwoods here are younger. The trees reach their maximum height fairly quick and then thicken with age.
 Walking through a fallen giant.
39 Walking through a fallen giant.
 A little bit of tree fall to navigate.
40 A little bit of tree fall to navigate.
One last attempt at a vertical panorama shot.
41 One last attempt at a vertical panorama shot.
 Almost back to the trailhead now, just before dark. Perfect timing. I'm definitely sad to be leaving the Redwoods. A return trip is an absolute must!!
42 Almost back to the trailhead now, just before dark. Perfect timing. I'm definitely sad to be leaving the Redwoods. A return trip is an absolute must!!
   
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