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CSL Update: Priorities for California Senior Legislature

July theme: Vacationing at Home Discover your public lands

 Del Norte at home: My spots

 Crescent City beaches

Let's call this home

Dear Humboldt senior citizens

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July theme: Vacationing at Home Discover your public lands
Camping, hiking, wildlife abound in Humboldt and Del Norte state and national parks

Headwaters Forest  

The Headwaters Forest, 7,400 acres in central Humboldt County, was acquired by the US Bureau of Land Management in March 1999. These newest public lands in our area are co-managed by the BLM and the state to
protect the stands of old-growth redwoods that provide habitat for the marbled murrelet, a threatened sea bird, and for the threatened coho salmon. Trees up to 300 feet tall and 1,000 years old are in the Headwaters Grove and Elkhead Springs Grove.

Guided hikes

Guided hikes into the southern part of the Headwaters Forest Reserve began in May. By reservation only, the hikes are offered Thursdays through Sundays. This is a strenuous four-mile hike limited to only 20 people a day, ten cars in the parking area. Reservations can be made for this hike by calling the BLM Arcata Field office at 707-825-2300. This hike meanders along Salmon Creek where visitors will see old-growth forest and learn about natural resources and history of the area.

Self-led hikes

You can access the Headwaters Forest yourself from the northwest along Elk River County Road, approximately six miles southeast of Eureka. The county road terminates at the reserve boundary where a parking area
and information kiosk have been provided. Use is limited to day hiking only.

A 5.5-mile trail follows an abandoned logging road to the old-growth forest. More than two miles of the trail are extremely steep. Hikers should plan seven to nine hours for the round trip, should be in good condition, wear sturdy hiking boots, carry plenty of water and plan for the changeable weather conditions of our area. Because of the area's habitat sensitivity, hikers are asked to remain on trails and out of the old growth forest.

Located one mile from the trail head is the remains of the old town of Falk. Aside from the exotic plant life, little remains of the once booming mill town. Built in 1884, the town had approximately 400 people until its decline in 1937.

For more information, call the BLM Arcata field office, 707-825-2300.

Wild and free

The Smith River northeast of Crescent City along Hwy. 199 is one of the crown jewels of the National Wild and Scenic River System which protects rivers across the country. More miles of the Smith are designated wild and scenic - 300 miles - than any other river in the country. The three forks of the Smith flow freely and naturally without a single dam for its entire length-it is the only undammed river in California. The Smith abounds with Class 4 and Class 5 rapids on all three forks and demands a high degree of technical skills from the boater.

The Smith River National Recreation Area (NRA) is located in Six Rivers National Forest, and the river also flows through Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. The NRA offers abundant camping and hiking. Visitors can drive to three lakes and hike miles of trails through the Smith River NRA.

The Visitor Center is located in Gasquet where you can book a reservation in a fire lookout at the top of Bear Basin Butte. Four camping areas and general camping are available by calling toll free 877-444-6777 or on the Internet at ReserveUSA.com.

Five other rivers

Can you name the six rivers in the Six Rivers National Forest? From north to south they are the Smith, Klamath, Trinity, Mad, Van Duzen and Eel. Few areas are blessed with so many major rivers offering more than 1,500 miles of waterways for recreation, livelihood and appreciation.

Six Rivers National Forest includes scenic byways, botanical areas, wildlife, views and Native American artwork. Camping is available on the Mad River, the Lower Trinity, Orleans (in the Klamath National Forest) and Smith River NRA. You can also drive your off-highway-vehicle along the Discovery Trail. For more information, call 707-442-1721.

Redwoods galore

Wild ocean waves, quiet rivers and redwoods mark the state and national park camping and hiking opportunities in both Del Norte and Humboldt counties. Our readership area - Crescent City to Garberville -
and on south to Leggett contains no fewer than 13 state parks.

Information centers are located just south of Orick and in Humboldt Redwoods SP near Weott.

A free guide to North Coast State Parks has all the ways to get connected to the environment you need for your one-day get-away. Walking softly on Coast Redwood trails, enjoying a day out at the beach and sand dunes, or canoeing on a lagoon, nature welcomes visitors.

In Crescent City are Lake Earl State Park (SP) at the beach and Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP in the forest. Driving south are Del Norte Coast Redwoods, Prairie Creek Redwoods, Humboldt Lagoons and Patrick's Point state parks. In Eureka is Fort Humboldt State Historic Park, and east on Hwy. 36 south of Fortuna is the Grizzly Creek Redwoods SP.

The Avenue of the Giants draws you in to Humboldt Redwoods SP with its remodeled visitor center and the Benbow Lake State Recreation Area with no lake this year because of dam repairs. Below Garberville is Richardson Grove SP with its new all-access nature trail, and north of Leggett is the Standish Hickey State Recreation Area. South of Shelter Cove along the ocean is the Sinkyone Wilderness SP.

Reservations: 800-444-7275 or on the Internet at www.parks.ca.gov.

State park fee break

New lower day use fees go into effect in 109 parks in July. Fees will range from $2 to $3 for day use and $1-2 for senior citizens. Camping reservation fees of $7.50 will remain the same, and camping fees will be slightly reduced in January 2001. The annual day use parking pass will be reduced to $35.

One-time article Copyright 2000 by Humboldt Senior Resource Center .