Visiting Redwoods

[Taupotreeman]

if i had MDVaden guiding me to the hot spots, high or hell water wouldnt stop me ian!! and just think, you bought this holiday for the wife!!!!

 

Erm well er at least the New York part of it was for her I expect to be dragged around everywhere in NY but that's fine. New Orleans is for both of us because we love Jazz plus I'm looking forward to the food. SF is pretty much all mine. And yes Drew, the more I think about it the more I agree. Having seen those photos it has to be on the to do list. How can it not be?

[mdvaden]

I think I've figured it out. mdvaden, those pictures have pretty much sold me. The new plan is to leave the bulk of the gear in our hotel at union square and set off early one day for the giants.

 

This time around, I wouldn't really push the idea your way of going up to Crescent City. because you can pretty much get awed in Avenue of the Giants, and Prairie Creek if that one fits. Prairie Creek is basically only 1.5 hours north of Avenue of the Giants ... next to nothing in terms of Hy. 101 drives.

 

With the help of several PMs or emails, I can probably help you experience more in Prairie Creek, than Avenue of the Giants. If you decide to swing one night at a motel near the redwoods, consider staying in Arcata or Klamath, and definitely not Orick.

 

Knowing what I do now of that area, if I were coming into the country, and starting from San Francisco, I'd get up between 3am and 5am in the morning, and head for Avenue of the Giants, arriving like 8am. Then after like 4 hours there, I'd head north, picking up food to go from Eureka, and get into Prairie Creek around 2pm. I'd explore there until around dark at 6pm. Then go north on 101 about 10 minutes and stay at the Ravenwood Motel or Motel Trees in Klamath, for about $65 to $75 US. Then, next morning, head back to Prairie Creek and explore as much as seemed reasonable, then scram back to San Fran like late afternoon or early evening. Whatever order you pick, I can provided a few hints and directions so you can get the best parts of the best trails within your time allotment.

 

Here's one tree oddity from Prairie Creek, about a 2 minute walk from a turnout along the road parkway.

Edited December 29, 2011 by mdvaden

[mdvaden]

Meant to post this one yesterday. A father and son I met a couple of years ago, who came to the area for a nearby music festival. This redwood is like 1 minute off the Avenue of the Giants, a few minutes stroll from Founders Grove.

 

One of the nicest things you will notice by heading up to Avenue of the Giants or Prairie Creek in March ... hardly anybody is there. Its mind-boggling that so few people are in the parks with the tallest and biggest coast redwoods that time of year. The few hours between those parks and San Francisco south, and Portland, Oregon, north, make all the difference to eliminate crowds. One of the most peaceful places.

Edited December 29, 2011 by mdvaden

[Taupotreeman]

That's a whole lot of awesome information thanks md. Anything you can pm my way would be much appreciated. I'll also start doing some research on the route etc and then wing it when I get to San Fran. Car hire I figure I should be able to get sorted at the hotel.

[atree]

What about visa's to the US?Easy to get?Where from?

 

Great info and pics MD,Tempted to do this trip now as well

[Taupotreeman]

Temporary Visas all done on line Adam. Pretty straight forward as long as you haven't got any dodgy convictions. Took me about five minutes although they can still refuse you entry at customs. It's called a visa waiver program and is done through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. Cost $14 US so cheap as chips.

[atree]

Temporary Visas all done on line Adam. Pretty straight forward as long as you haven't got any dodgy convictions. Took me about five minutes although they can still refuse you entry at customs. It's called a visa waiver program and is done through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. Cost $14 US so cheap as chips.

 

Sweet As,Cheers Ian

[mdvaden]

I'll also start doing some research on the route etc and then wing it when I get to San Fran. Car hire I figure I should be able to get sorted at the hotel.

 

If you get sold on the suggestion to overnight at a motel in Klamath, note that there are like just two restaurants there, and you would want to email them for hours in advance. One is at Trees of Mystery, and the other the Requa Inn. If you stay in Klamath, or even for hiking Prairie Creek, you may want to buy food coming from San Francisco that may or may not need refrigeration. Bottled water or juice, nuts, snack bars, fruit, etc.. Because if you dedicate just two day for the coast redwoods, it will drastically cut into your exploring time to stop for groceries, or leave the park for meals during mid-day. If you dedicate 3 days, different story maybe.

 

These photos below, show the giant Paul Bunyan at Tree of Mystery. They have the Motel Trees. Basic rooms and clean. Skip the gondola ride. Interesting place, but not worth the sacrifice of time for your trip, although if you want a cool souvenier, their gift shop is worth a quick glance.

 

The other photos below, show a clean room at the Ravenwood Motel in Klamath. That's where Gerald Beranek turned me onto, that he likes staying at. The guy holding the book, has the Country Club bar across the street in Klamath. Little Jerry, who used to climb with Gerald. That bar has food until about 5pm to 7pm at night. Smokey place with great burgers ... don't recommend the Fish & Chips. A few doors down is a decent breakfast restaurant that opens around 6am in the morning, also right across from the Ravenwood Motel.

[likeitorlumpit]

San Fran for 6 nights- Hmmm

Don't forget it can get a bit cold in that city

But my vote is get out to Yosemite and see Sequoias and a bit of Yosemite too. Maybe head down coast road on day 2

Hire a car- get a big one- they're more fun!

If you've got kids with you they'll know san fran pier 39 and golden gate from playstation games they play- which I thought was brilliant.

Dad- this is the bit where you jump down and hide- fantastic

Walk out across golden gate

Have a go on a segway= segway tours

Got to take a ride on a tram- it's worth the queues

Oh - I forgot- try not to go when some idiot wants to use a shoe bomb at heathrow- it really messes up the return journey:001_smile:

[carlos]

dead jelous of your planned trip, i read the richard preston book and was totaly in awe of those giants, defenitly on my to do and see list.

enjoy

carl.

p.s take a few shots for arbtalk!