Biking Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park | California

 

 

During our stay in Crescent City, I used the Outbound app to help us plan our activities in the redwoods. The Scout Trail in Jedediah State Park sounded amazing on the site’s description, so we figured we would try that. When we looked up the directions, we realized that the park was less than five miles from our campsite along the coast. We figured anything within five miles is an easy bike ride.

The Outbound feature on Jedediah State Park described driving in to the hike, so we really didn’t know what to expect in terms of terrain for our bike ride. It turned out to be a VERY hilly and VERY muddy one! However, the winding dirt road through the redwoods was incredibly gorgeous. Even though we were completely covered in mud by the end of our ride, we were happy to have taken our bikes. We felt so immersed in the forest riding free with the cool air in our faces and nothing but trees overhead. Its so much easier to stop and take it all on on a bicycle. Plus its easier to stop and take pictures of course. :)

We put Migo’s sweater on and strapped him into his basket for the ride. Migo is an easy rider. He loves catching a breeze on the bike. In the redwoods, dogs are allowed in picnic areas and roadside areas, but not along trails. When we got to the Scout Trail, we put Migo in my Timbuk2 backpack so that he wasn’t breaking any rules. Good thing he’s so small and easygoing. Migo happily enjoyed the excuse to be lazy. It was probably pretty cozy in there too.

The hike itself was pretty short- but breathtakingly beautiful. The trees are absolutely enormous! One thing we were surprised about in our visit is the silence of the forest. We didn’t even hear any birds. After a bit, we got a little chilly and decided to ride on back. The ride was our favorite part anyhow. We put Migo in the basket and got muddy all over again. The road went over a beautiful blue creek, winding through the redwoods. I’m so thankful that California has done such a magnificent job of preserving this beautiful forest. The pictures may look beautiful, but experiencing their majesty in person is an entirely different thing completely.

Thank you for reading! More hikes in the California redwoods coming soon! ~Shelley Hartman, North Carolina + California Wedding Photographer

More Redwoods Adventures: Hiking Jedediah Smith, Camping along Avenue of Giants, Biking Humboldt Redwoods

Jedediah Smith Redwoods Wedding and Elopement Photographer