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The parking lot was about half full when we arrived at the trailhead around 11am.
It would be mostly full by the time we finished the hike. This is a very popular
hike, despite the drive to the trailhead.
Forest before the canyon
Dew drops
The hike starts out level through a pretty forest devoid of the redwood trees more
commonly found in the area. After just about a tenth of a mile, you'll reach the
first trail intersection. Turn right to head toward Fern Canyon, which is drained
by Home Creek. You'll immediately start walking on the gravel next to the shallow
creek, and quickly be surrounded by ferns on all sides. It's a beautiful sight.
We walked slowly with a sense of awe as we headed up the creek. The ferns line
the canyon walls which rise up 50 feet high.
Entering Fern Canyon
Further up the canyon
Further still
The canyon gets narrow in some places, which only adds to the experience. There
are wooden planks placed here and there to cross over the creek in a few places.
You'll notice trees up on top of the canyon walls leaning over; some have already
fallen in. I imagine it's not the safest place to be during a rainstorm or when
it's windy. But today it was a perfectly still day.
Admiring the ferns on either side of Home Creek
Ferns over Home Creek
Crossing one of the planks
Moss on the canyon wall
Eventually the trail sadly leaves the canyon, climbing up steeply, assisted by
some wooden steps. Once on top, the trail heads back downstream, but far
above the creek now. You'll soon reach another trail intersection. The right fork leads up
the James Irvine Trail, which goes all the way up to the Prairie Creek campground.
You could do a 9 mile loop starting from camp. Alternatively, if you have enough people
or can find someone in camp you can trust,
you could do a shuttle trip, with half your group hiking downhill and half of them
driving down and hiking uphill, passing the car keys in the middle.
Forest above Fern Canyon
We took the left fork, which heads back toward the parking lot. Although completely different
from the fern-filled canyon, this is actually a beautiful
section of trail in its own right. The forest is beautiful here, and the trail is all slightly
downhill now.
Trail through the forest
The trail actually pops out onto the gravel next to Home Creek. From here, continue down the
short distance to
the trail you started on and turn left to head to the parking lot.
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