Surrounded by tall ancient giants flickering and pulsing red, we soaked in the warmth of the fire as the steady beat of water pounding rocks filled the air mingling with the crackling flames and birdsong lullabies. If you're itching to get out of the hustle and bustle of city life, you'll find respite on a trip to giant sequoia groves of Muir Woods and a nearby camping retreat...
Carved into a steep valley (Be warned you carsick folk, like I!), Muir Woods National Monument is tucked away in the hills a little past San Francisco. Feeling Nature's call, I grabbed a few friends for this rendezvous up North. On arrival, we meandered around the boardwalk to learn more about the redwoods, which drink up to 500 gallons of water per day via fog. Surprisingly though, they have a very shallow root system—only 5-6 feet deep but spread out hundreds of feet in an intertwined network creating a base for a tree that can grow over 300 feet tall!
One member of the group climbed Mount Baldy untrained the week before and had some joint pain in her hip, so we opted for an easier 2.5 mile loop up the Ocean View trail and down Fern Creek Trail. It ended near a log bridge and access to Fern Creek, so we stopped to soak in the serenity.
You can't actually camp near at Muir Woods National Monument, so we drove an hour North to Samuel P. Taylor State Park. Situated among the giant redwoods along Lagunitas Creek, it's the perfect sanctuary to pitch your tent. We brought a million blankets so we would be padded and cozy in the chill forest night. Inside the park is a 30 minute walk to a swimming hole but if you find a good looking spot you can take a dip anywhere you please. Watch you're step though, there's poison oak!
With the gurgling stream to set the mood, we grilled corn on the cob and skewered sausages. (Aidell's Italian Sausages are my camping go-to.) For dessert we roasted pears and apples, but my favorite was the banana, which caramelized perfectly—camp food tastes so much better. Cleaning up is important, everywhere really, but here especially. There are gutsy masked-bandits that will walk right up and steal a midnight snack so leaving food out is not the best idea unless you want raccoons to ransack your campsite.
Minds cleared and refreshed, we woke up to chirping birds and packed up before heading out, but hopefully we'll be back again soon.
Happy travels!
xo from catie
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