state and federally admin-
istered land under the
umbrella of the Redwood
National & State Parks.
After picking up a map at
the Kuchel Visitor Center
(%707-465-7765; http://www.nps.gov/
redw; Hwy 101, Orick) you’ll
have a suite of choices
for hiking, but the half-
mile stroll to Gold Bluffs
Beach will lead you to
the best spot for a picnic.
Take the easy trail aboutanother mile to Fern
Canyon, whose 60ft, fern-
covered, sheer rock walls
are seen in In the Lost
World: Jurassic Park.
This is one of the most
photographed spots on
the North Coast – damp
and lush, all emerald
green – and totally worth
getting your toes wet to
see. Alternatively, a trip
inland will get you lost
in the secluded seren-ity of Tall Trees Grove.
To protect the grove, a
limited number of cars
per day are allowed ac-
cess; get permits at the
visitor center. This can be
a half-day trip itself, but
you’re well rewarded after
the challenging approach
(a 30-minute rumble on
an old logging road, then
a moderately strenuous
1.3-mile hike).4 p131
Trees of Mystery Statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue OxLANA SUNDMAN / ALAMY ©