Avenue of The Giants

Just south of Eureka, a 30 mile stretch of road called Avenue of The Giants runs parllel to Hwy 101. It is so named because there are large redwood trees lining the road, sometimes within inches, and also in massive groves. I had a blast riding down this road on a quiet Wednesday morning.

I stopped in a grove named the Grieg-French-Bell grove. I don't think you're supposed to bicycle on the trails, but everyone was at work, so I did it anyways. The trail was nice and flat, with soft pine needles on the surface, and was lined on each side with lush clover. It was really fun riding among the tall trees down this trail.

However, as I got farther back in the grove, there were many side trails splitting off, and I lost the main trail, if it existed at all. I tried to find my way back to the road, but it involved an hour of bushwhacking, pushing my bicycle over rocks and roots, and a few times taking all my bags off it so I could haul it over downed redwoods that were taller than me while on their side. (I can barely lift my bicycle+gear. Definitely not over my head, but usually enough to get it up and down stairs.) It was a fun adventure, although it did take a lot of time out of the day.

I camped near the far end of the Avenue at a state park campground called Hidden Springs.