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While the others napped, I decided to do a solo hike starting from the
Elk Prairie campground. I started by heading over to the trailhead near
camp site 61. I followed the Nature Trail as it headed into the forest.
The trail follows Prairie Creek, and doesn't appear to get much use.
In fact, on my entire hike I didn't see any other hikers until I neared
the campground again.
Prairie Creek
I don't often hike by myself, and it suddenly occurred to me that I was hiking
in bear country, and I hadn't even brought my trekking poles with me. That
realization pretty much heightened my senses for the rest of the hike. I
don't recommend solo hiking, but I felt a little safer knowing I was so
close to so many people.
Elk in the prairie
The trail shortly breaks out into the open in front of the elk prairie. I saw
two cyclists on the Davison Trail who were watching two elk in the prairie.
I went over and joined them (the cyclists), and took some pictures. Then I
turned right briefly onto the Davison Trail, and then left onto the Elk
Prairie Trail. The trail skirts the edge of the prairie, then crosses
Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. There's not much traffic, so it's safe to cross
on foot.
The forest
Trail through the forest
More trail through the forest
The trail picks up on the other side and quickly changes character. Instead of
the prairie, you're now at the edge of an old-growth redwood forest. To your left
you can see the prairie across the road, and to your right is the wonderful forest.
This is the best part of the hike, despite the fact that you can see the road right
there and hear cars as they pass by.
The elk prairie as seen from the redwood forest
Towering redwood
Old growth redwood forest
The trail heads further and further inward, veering away from the road, for a little
over a mile. It then crosses Boyes Creek before reaching an intersection. Turn
left and pass through a grove of redwoods before reaching the road again. Cross
the road and head into the campground area. You could hike back along the campground road
if you wanted, but why? It's nicer to simply stay on the trail, which winds through
some nice redwood forest, passes the campfire center, and then joins the camp road at
camp site 26.
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