Prairie Creek Redwoods - Fern Canyon

Those looking for a moderately long (12 mile) day hike might want to consider the trail that leads from the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park headquarters out to Fern Canyon. The 6 miles out to the canyon go by fast as you marvel at the tall trees always-towering-above. The terrain is moderately rugged, the undergrowth is from a prehistoric movie, and the mist swirling through the trees enhances the mystical spiritual connection with a truly special natural wonder. I hiked this route during mid October. The canyon itself is not all that awe-inspiring...though there are several subsidiary slot-canyons spanned by bridges--with tiny streams embedded deep within the earth below. Nevertheless, the hike was fantastic. I truly appreciated reconnecting with the woods and forgetting about the human condition for a while.  As I've said before to many people, Prairie Creek State Park is hands down the best Redwood Park in Northwest California--both for hiking and for marveling.