It’s warming up all over the country, which means it’s time to bust out those hiking boots and take in the thrill of spring blossoming all around you, every manner of nature being reborn. While all seasons of the year hold their own allure, spring is a refreshing time visually and weather-wise to set out exploring the wild world around you. And one of the absolute best places on Earth to do so lies just outside Northern California’s famous Redwood National and State Parks: Fern Canyon.
Fern Canyon is everything its name implies, with a dense thicket of ferns covering virtually every available space, from the forest floor to the 10-15 meter sheer canyon walls. Home Creek, the main source of water flowing through this canyon, feeds the lush collective of ferns, mosses, and other native plants as it slowly trickles its way down. This constant hydration creates an ethereal, misty landscape through which to spend a day hiking on a nice spring day. Even in summer Fern Canyon maintains its cool condition, making this a hike to enjoy well into late summer and early fall.
The hike into Fern Canyon is simple and can be easily completed by kids for a fun day out with the family. The entire trail is just over a mile in total, with an elevation gain between 75-150 feet, depending on whether you hike it as a loop or turn around and go back the way you came. Due to the ever-present moisture, it’s a good idea to wear shoes with grippy soles that are designed to get wet and dry quickly for optimum comfort. A light jacket or a hat may also be preferable, and a camera is a must!
Check out this captivating footage of Fern Canyon highlighting its serenity and foothold as the birthplace of spring.
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