CIVILIZED HIKING: CA

Sunday, June 8, 2025

Redwood Grove Loop (Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park)

Hike Type: Loop

Distance: 0.86 miles

Elevation: 16 feet

Time: 19 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge

The Hike

Day Two! Brooke, Ray, and I had all day to lolligag around the area. I had to be back at the San Francisco airport ideally by 5/6pm, and they just had to get to San Francisco by nighttime. During the apres-wedding, we made plans to take an Uber back to the state park and take the Beach Trail to Santa Cruz beach first, which was SO COOL. The first stretch of the train ride was through incredible forests, and the second stretch was first through a bit of an industrial area and then an adorable oceanside neighborhood before landing at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk where we got some food and touched the Pacific Ocean (the first time I'd done it!).

Once back at the state park, we all wanted a little introvert time, so Brooke chilled out at a picnic table, Ray found a shaded bench, and I walked the loop in the Redwood Grove again! I moved faster this time just since there was a loose time constraint, but it was just as incredible. I really want to come back to California to explore these ancient forests! My only bummer was that I didn't see any banana slugs... next time...

The rest of our day involved planes, trains, and automobiles, but in reverse order. We had a medium-long walk into Felton for lunch, then we Ubered to the hotel to get our stuff, then Ubered to the train station in San Jose, then took the CalTrail to San Francisco, then I said goodbye and took the BART one stop to the airport, and then the AirTrain to the terminal, and FINALLY the plane back to Boston! In an act of pure insanity, I then drove to school, taught a full day, drove home, took a 20 minute nap, and then took the train in to Boston for Pride Night at Fenway! I truly have never been so tired in my life, but it was worth it!

Step-by-Step

- At Redwood Grove, follow loop counter clockwise.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Map

Photo Album

Saturday, June 7, 2025

Redwood Grove Loop via Overflow Parking (Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park)

Redwood Grove Loop via Parking Area 4 (Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop

Distance: 1.81 miles

Elevation: 30 feet

Time: 59 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge

The Hike

CALIFORNIA HIKING! Hiking is a strong word for this one, but my definition of hiking has always been "intentional time moving in the woods," so it counts! One of my best friends from high school was getting married at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and between their nuptuals and the jamboree portions of the evening, they led us through the Redwood Grove of the park! I have never seen trees like this, and I was absolutely blown away.

The walk from the overflow parking area was along the paved road, and then turned into the Redwood Grove which was a soil path. The first item of note was a cross-section of a dead tree that had over 2000 rings! So the tree was planted before Jesus, which was truly mind boggling to me. We followed the interpretive trail around the counter-clockwise loop.

There were trees you could stand inside and walk through and the forest floor was covered in these massive clover-like plants. One wedding guest said that they're edible and tasted like a sweet arugula, and they were right! The trees reminded me of the Firebird scene from Fantasta 2000. I truly could have spent a full day in here, but we did have to get back to the parking area for the jamboree, so it was time to head back after lots of chit chatting and taking MANY photos. Two friends and I decided we'd come back the next day for some more exploring, yay!