We don’t usually hike in the winter. It’s cold (obviously), and daylight is lacking. Ice and downed trees often close off Skyline Drive, so you can’t access most of Shenandoah National Park. We had been trying to hike for weeks in Shenandoah, but the central district had been closed. I’m not a fan of winter and was eager to put it behind me. Finally, with some warmer weekend weather, we found ourselves hiking Stony Man Trail. It was getting warmer…
After checking out of Jedediah Smith Campground, we drove along route 101 to a trail with an awkward name. Damnation Creek Trail is in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, part of Redwood National & State Parks. It’s a well-known hike, and considered one of the best in the park. The trail descends 2.1 miles through redwood trees, and across Damnation Creek, to a coastal rocky beach. It’s both a diverse and difficult hike…
The desert was kind of a new experience for us. It had been a long time since either of us had hiked in it. Kristin went in with a bit of trepidation, and she ended up loving the park. So you never know what you’ll find. And Saguaro National Park definitely surprised us as we explored. Not really knowing what to expect, and going in with no expectations. Here were our favorite spots in the park, as well as some tips for visiting. We hope they help you plan your trip…