Not long ago, I visited this trail and found it to be a terrific medium length trail. However, that was January and in the middle of winter, there were no wild flowers to be seen on these magnificent sloping hillsides. I decided to return today and see what spring has to offer.
The drive is only about an hour to get to the Colfax exit and the trailhead only a short drive from there. On the way over, I took advantage of the time to continue listening to an audio version of Sean Carroll's "The Particle at the End of the Universe". Quantum theory and particle physics has always fascinated me, and while I had, of course, heard of the discovery of the Higgs Boson, I didn't even have a fundamental understanding of what it truly was. The book is an excellent guide through the complex and sometimes bizarre work of modern geniuses to arrive at the amazing discovery.
Arriving at the trailhead, I see that it is a popular destination today. And why not? It's Easter Sunday, and the weather here (about an hour East of Sacramento) is predicted to be in the mid-80's. Everyone seems to have the same idea, to get out there and enjoy nature a little bit.
The trail gently slops downhill with a terrific views of the valley, as it meanders it's way down to the American River. As I had hoped, sections of the hillside are a carpet of yellow and purple wild flowers. I can't help but relate the scientific material I enjoyed on the way over and think about all of the quarks, muons, and gluons that go into making up this wonderfully complex existence we live in. These flowers are simply an expression of that.
I finally arrive at the river and climb out onto some rocks for a short break and to soak up some rays before heading back. That gentle downward slope gets you on the way back, especially with a 20ish pound pack on my back (as training for later hikes this year). All in all, it was a short 3 hour, 7.75 mile hike. The scenery and beauty of the spring foliage made it all worthwhile.
If I had to choose one word to describe this small National Monument, it would 'peaceful'. If I had to choose two words, they would be 'peaceful' and 'green'. Those two ideas are taken to the extreme in this redwood refuge just north of San Francisco.
I have been planning a trip to Muir Woods for the past several weekends, but each time I look at the San Francisco area's weekend weather, there had been a chance of rain. I wasn't keen on driving three hours to get rained out and so I put it off. This weekend though, it looked to be clear . . . or at least almost no chance for rain. The bay is rarely 'clear'. As I wanted to get an early start, I drove over to the bay area Friday night after work, which allowed me to arrive at the visitor center parking log before the crowds arrived and still in time to secure a parking lot.
I started out on the well-maintained trail starting at the parking log, and as I soon learned from the posted maps, most of the trails within the monument branch off of this one. Soon, I was walking beside a lazy little stream under the cover of fairly young coastal redwoods, and by young, I mean less than half a millennium old. They create a great canopy above me and allow very little light into these woods. The very common fog adds to the mystique and provides a very humid environment.
Lush green ferns cover the ground between the mighty trees, and where a tree has fallen, it's remains are soon blanketed in a bed of green moss. Green, green, and more green as I split off the main trail and begin to head up the Fern Creek Trail, intending to loop back to the visitor center.
As reach the point where the Fern Creek Trail meets the Lost Trail, the grade increases pretty drastically and I'm presented with wooden steps for some of the steepest sections. It's good exercise and the scenery is just amazing. As I mentioned, there is a peacefulness here. It is no wonder this place was named for the father of the American Conservationist Movement, who was so at home in nature he was accepted by some of the local tribes as an honorary member. John Muir was truly an amazing man, and a personal hero of mine. I think I have some idea of what he loved so much about being in the woods. In this place, and places like it, one's existence is such a minuscule piece of the world at large, that it can hardly be noticed at all. If I'm (or John Muir) in the pace or if I'm not in the place, the place doesn't really notice one way or the other. The place goes on with or without me. That is such a stark contrast to the nearby hustle and bustle of the San Francisco Bay Area. It's no wonder many urbanites frequent this monument to find some of that peace and remove themselves from notice for a short time.
I finally reach the top of the hillside and take a sharp right onto the Ocean View Trail. Shortly thereafter, I'm approaching the visitor center and I'm amazed to see all of the people now in the park grounds. Wall to wall people. Ah well, I guess I can't have nature all to myself this close to such a big megalopolis. It was nice while it lasted though.
I had intended to hike a nearby trail called the Steep Ravine Trail, but as I make my way to the trail head, I'm stunned by the volume of visitors to this area. There isn't a parking spot to be found anywhere. I continue on to Stinson Beach, take in a view of the ocean and then drive south on Highway 1 overlooking the Pacific Ocean before returning home. I didn't get to do a lot of what I had planned on here, but I did get a four mile hike in and experience a wonderful place.
