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Learn about current and future opportunities with the Volunteer Trail Steward program and Humboldt Trails with this interview with Rees Hughes. For 10 years now Volunteer Trail Stewards have made it possible for the county and municipalities to expand our trail system. Maintenance and upkeep is always a concern, but volunteers have kept costs so low expansion is possible.
More opportunities available at Humboldt Trails.
Chris Valle-Riestra is an exceptional volunteer and trail steward–with a particular fondness for the Klamath Mountains. He has been spearheading trailwork in the Orleans Ranger District for many years and knows the trails well .
The most extensive accessible trail system in Humboldt County is in the Elk Prairie/Big Tree areas of Prairie Creek Redwood State Park and Redwood National Park. This trail system offers many ways to mix and match the trails that network this area. Included in the route are magnificent old growth redwoods, picturesque Prairie Creek, the open grasslands of Elk Prairie, a nature trail, and miles of accessible trail.
Description: Located on a bend in the Van Duzen River, Owen R. Cheatham Grove is a majestic patch of old growth redwoods spared by the founder of what would become the Georgia-Pacific Plywood and Lumber Company. The short hike loops through the grove. From the west side of the parking area two trails lead across the riverbed to the Van Duzen River. Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park offers a small network of trails on the north and south side of the Van Duzen River. A summer bridge crosses the Van Duzen to 1.5 miles of additional trails on the south side. The north side trails include a nature trail with interpretive signs, a meandering walk up and down the hillside east of Grizzly Creek, and a stretch of trail west of Grizzly Creek.
Astounding diversity of terrestrial cryptogams exists in the Klamath Mountains—represented by mosses, liverworts, lichen, ferns, and forest mushrooms. In northwestern North America, thousands of species of fungi are complimented by 900 mosses, 1500 lichens, 250 liverworts, and 100 ferns. Winter hiking offers a winder into the life of cryptogams. This is the time of year, after the first rains, that they spring into green. Moisture plays a key role in cryptogams reproduction.
This is the time of year to revel in the cryptogams because this diverse group needs water because they reproduce with spores.
Thanks to Cliff and KHUM for capturing this discussion on Happy Trails.
The natural and intentional landscaping has matured into something quite special at the Potawot Health Village in Arcata, California. A sinuous series of wetlands have been created, native grasses and other plants reintroduced, and an extensive food garden and orchard established. While none of the trails are particularly long, they can be combined for a pleasant walk. By parking on Janes Road or in the Mad River Hospital parking lot and walking on the marked shoulder of the entrance parkway into Potawot the walk can be extended. A self-guided nature tour is available with numbered stops on the trails. Seating and a picnic table are spaced around the grounds.
Getting there: Drive 10 miles north on US 101 and take Exit 716B (Giuntoli exit), proceeding on Giuntoli Lane to the west (follow the roundabout to the third exit). The route passes over 101, rounds a traffic circle and continues on west, veering left (south) and becoming Janes Road. From the initial turn onto Giuntoli Lane to the signed entrance to Potawot is about one mile. Turn left into the entrance parkway for 0.3 mile to parking. Several access points to the trail complex exist south of the parking lot and entrance parkway.
Michael Kauffmann spoke with Cliff Berkowitz on KHUM’s Happy Trails about places to visit–starting now–to explore spectacular Humboldt County wildflower hikes. Flowers start flowering early because of the temperate nature of the region. This means that you can find wildflowers starting in January near the coast, all the way to June and July inland in our mountains.
Fetid Adder’s Tongue (Scoliopus bigelovii)
Trillium (Trillium spp.)
Orchids
Lupines
Visit the Klamath Mountains
Here are a few highlights from the world of Backcountry Press in 2017.
Happy Trails and other adventures in 2018 and thanks for your support.
Wildflowers of the Trinity Alps Released
Podcast with Ken DeCamp
The Eclipse
Obi Kaufmann’s Favorite Books 2017
Mapping California’s Rarest Conifer
Ready to find your new favorite place to go for a walk?Hear tales from the trail as Rees talks about Humboldt County walks and shares images to inspire (and inform!) your next hike. All walks featured appear in the book Hiking Humboldt Volume 2: 101 Shorter Day Hikes, Urban and Road Walks.
These include walking the 0.4 mile long Loleta Tunnel, exploring Lacks Creek and Schoolhouse Peak/Lyons Ranch, walking the Ft. Seward Road or the Dyerville Loop Road, finding fossils on the Centerville Beach to Fleener Creek Loop, and more.
This is a free event. Please be in touch with questions: hughes@humboldt.edu
1. whittled stick
2. weather radio
3. nerdy mechanical pencil
4. Hiking Humboldt Vol. 2: 101 Shorter Day Hikes, Urban and Road Walks
5. external hard drive
6. power tools
7. bigfoot action figure
8. meat rub
9. heart rock
10. beach scores
11. Joe
12. custom Lego vehicle
13. crocheted woolen beer coozie
14. old tools
15. sentimental photo of dadding
16. kid art
17. badass binos
18. foolproof corkscrew
