Oct 25, continues. Fern Canyon Trail

 

We saw these two large bull elk in our way down to the trail head. It was a long and lovely drive through old-growrh forests of redwood and other trees.  Or, former old-growth. The oldest and biggest had been logged years ago. There were some huge stumps there. Narrow, winding, steep, dark road. It ended up at the beach. Sort of. W had to ford streams and navigate deep holes of water in the rough road. Nick and Kaylee's van is just adding to its lists of survived adventures! It was this van that stuck in sand at Lake Powell 3 years ago.

The goal was Fern Canyon trail loop . About .6 miles. Emily was kind of whiney as we began, so Kaylee put her in the backpack. 

It was lovely ( yes, I know. I have said that lots already...will probably continue to do so!)

So many photos. I really did limit and edit and was selective. But it was so pretty! So many ferns, so much moss, such pretty views. Such cute Grandbabies, too.

Some collages first.

Ferns, ferns, and mossy mossy trees.

Fungi!

The trail thru Fern Canyon follows a stream! We tried hopping over logs, fording, tried to stay dry. I gave up and waded in the end. Shoes will dry. 

But it was trickier for Kaylee who was carrying Emily and trying to keep her feet dry. And to not slip. Or fall. So she turned back. Logan and Rachel led the trek. Nick assisted ALL of us.

So many ways to cross the pretty creek!

Emily and Kaylee. 

Logan slipped off the log at this point.

This was not as easy as it looked! 

But you can see why it's called Fern Canyon

Waiting for Nick....

Rachel. Playing Leader in Follow the Leader.

Logan, Jane, Rachel. Waiting for Nick who was helping Kaylee and Emily back over that one difficult log-y ford.

This when Kaylee turned back with Emily.

One more ford.

Nick assisting Logan.

Rachel & Logan leading the way in Fern canyon.

Pristine. Fern Canyon.

Jane, catching a mouthful in the drippy waterfall.

Looking UP at the drippy waterfall.

Considering the crossing.

Lots of navigation to consider.

 Looking DOWN stream, past the tree we passed,  Climbed over, under and through.

Fallen tree in the Fern Canyon. (Or a petrified elephant? )We climbed over and Under.

Stone? Nope. Wood.

Crossing the creek through a tree that looked like stone...

Sometimes the trail went up.

Sometimes the trail was muddy, but party sunny.

Sometimes the trail was wooden paths.

Sometimes the forest is big.

Sometimes we see the small.