Muir Woods National Monument

California

 

July 2014

 

Our last hike of the trip was at Muir Woods National Monument. Even though it was well over 100 degrees and early on a Friday afternoon, the road leading to the park had cars parked on both shoulders for miles. I knew I couldn't walk a great distance with both girls on such a narrow road with so many cars coming and going. With doubt that we could visit the park, we pressed on hoping for a disabled spot close to the visitor center. As we approached, I realized that there was an entire parking lot for disabled parking. Of course it was full, but we got lucky, a car was backing out as we arrived. I know all about hidden disabilities, but Kellisa was the only wheelchair we saw. For every one hidden disability, I bet there's 10 people abusing the disabled parking card...if not more.

 

Anyway, we found the trail to be fully accessible and easy as we hiked through our last redwood forest for the trip. Laurel again insisted on pushing Kellisa for most of the trail. We saw more people on this trail than all of our other hikes on this trip combined. The count wouldn't even be close, but the golden rule of hiking definitely applied to this trail. As soon as we were about a mile from the trailhead, we almost had the trail to ourselves. At 1.5 miles away, we were by ourselves. I dreaded turning back and fighting the crowds. But, an ice cream awaited us at the park café on this hot summer afternoon making the return trek tolerable.

 

(More pictures from Muir Woods)

 



Rockefeller Loop Trail

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

CA

 

July 2014

 

 

The Rockefeller Loop Trail in Humboldt Redwoods State Park was accessible, short and beautiful beyond words. We had the entire trail to ourselves. Laurel insisted on pushing Kellisa the entire length of the trail which allowed me to play full time photographer while watching my girls enjoy themselves in another magical forest.

 

(More Rockefeller Loop Trail Pictures)

 



                                     

                                     

Prairie Creek Trail

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

CA

 

July 2014

 

 

 

Yes, another accessible trail through a redwood forest. This time we found the trail in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park to be a little steep and narrow, leading me to believe we may have made a wrong turn somewhere. It's hard to tell because trails crisscrossed and the trail signs were confusing. None the less, we had a nice hike.

 

(More Prairie Creek Trail Pictures)

Trees of Mystery

 Klamath, CA 

July 2014

 

It's funny how we hiked many trails through the redwoods and most of the time we were the only ones hiking, then we stop at the Trees of Mystery, a roadside attraction in Klamath, CA., and the trails are crowded. The main reason for stopping was to ride a gondola through and above soaring redwoods. The gondola started about half way up a mountainside. The park was very accessible, they offered rides in a golf cart type vehicle for the disabled to the start of the gondola. We opted to hike the wide, steep trial to the gondola. The gondola ride was also accessible. Kellisa's Hippocampe barely fit even after I took off the push bar. A regular wheelchair would fit easily. Once on the summit, boardwalks led to some amazing views. Trees of Mystery was a bit crowded, but well worth the stop and highly recommended for anyone who uses a wheelchair.

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Redwood Access Trail

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

CA

 

July 2014

 

Who knew 1981 was the International Year of the Disabled? Not me. The only thing that I'm aware of that came from that year is a .5 mile fully accessible trail in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. This is just a guess, but I would bet this was one of the first accessible trails through a natural area in the United States.

 

The trail was beautiful and very easy to navigate. I would think most wheelchair users could complete this trail with little or no help. When looking online or on the park map, this trail is usually designated as a nature trail and not by the Redwood Access Trail name.

 

The trail started next to the visitor center and only had one disabled parking spot. Even on a weekday morning, the entire parking lot was packed and people were finding alternate places to leave their cars. We were fortunate to find a regular spot and made it work, but it would be nice if they would add a few more disabled parking spots.

***Especially considering the amount of "older" people that use disabled spots. ***

 

(More Redwoods Access Trail Pictures)




The Lady Bird Johnson Grove

Redwood National Park

 

July 2014

 

 

 

We found the 1.4 mile Lady Bird Johnson Nature Trail in Redwood National Park very accessible. The trail was wide and free from roots and rocks. There were a few elevation changes adding a little challenge to the hike. Laurel pushed Kellisa for part of the trail. Kellisa also wheeled herself, she really enjoyed controlling her speed on several downhill portions. Losing control as she sped down a few little hills is probably more accurate.

 

Laurel enjoyed following our path on the trail map and really liked making the decision to go left or right when presented with the option. She put a lot of thought into it. She also used binoculars to look for birds and she was  excited when she spotted a few.

 

(More pictures from The Lady Bird Johnson Grove) 



Oregon Redwoods

Interpretive Trail 1106

 

July 2014

 

 

We crossed into Oregon to hike through one of the northern most strands of redwoods. We had to drive a narrow, winding dirt road deep into the mountains just to find the trailhead. We were the only car in the parking area. We found the trail to be accessible, yet challenging with some hilly sections. The sun barely penetrates to the forest floor, which I found a little eerie. Most of the trail followed a ridge high above the surrounding valleys.

Near the end of the hike, we heard a loud sound that I cannot describe from the valley below. It wasn't human and it didn't sound like a roar or growl. I have no idea what it was, but it was loud and close. Too close. Laurel was very frightened and wanted me to hug her for the remainder of the hike. I have to admit being scared and looking over my shoulder until we were safely in the car driving back down the road.

 

(More pictures from the Oregon redwoods)

Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

Mill Creek Campground

California

 

July 2014

 

 

 

 

All the campsites in the Redwoods State Parks were booked in advance and I thought our only choices would be a hotel or commercial campground. We got very lucky when I checked at the Mill Creek Campground at Del Norte Coast Redwoods for cancelations and they had a disabled site for two nights. We didn't spend much time at the campsite, but Laurel enjoyed exploring the area when we were there. We did attend a ranger program that discussed Bigfoot sightings in the area, including the famous film from the 60's which was shot only a couple of miles from the campground. Laurel now has a huge interest in what she calls, "Bearfoot." We also learned about tsunamis that have hit the area, including major damage after the 2011 earthquake in Japan.

 

(More pictures from the campground)

Fleishmann Grove Trail

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

California

July 2014

 

  Our first hike among the giant redwoods was the Fleishmann Grove Trail in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The trail was accessible and it was one of the best trails we've ever hiked. We were all alone in this magical forest. The trail was just challenging enough to be fun. I think a regular wheelchair might struggle a little. Kellisa did tip back at one point and Laurel rushed to her aid. Kellisa was fine and both girls had a good laugh.

  

 

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