Adventures in the Redwoods- Part 3

Finally, the final installment of adventures in the Redwoods. So a trip to the Redwoods is not complete without checking out the Avenue of Giants through Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
View Larger Map When leaving Eureka, head south on the 101 Hwy. Just before Pepperwood take the Avenue of Giants road, which is the old Hwy 101. A 31 mile route that follows along Hwy 101, but displays the beautiful scenery of the redwoods and introduces you to the small historic timber towns. Shortly after entering the Avenue you can pick up a pamphlet (donation recommended) that gives detailed information at numbered points along the drive. The day started with taking a side dirt road leading to a river winding through the trees(any idea what that ladder looking thing is up in the tree- I wonder?)

and a pretty cool bridge (a road trip just isn't complete without a bit of off road driving).

A bit further down the avenue is the Founders Grove, with a easy .6 mile loop walk that I highly recommend. The founders tree (346.1 feet high and 40 feet circumference), is magnificent to stand under. These trees are just amazing; from gazing up at their magnificent height to looking around at what use to be that high, or crawling inside what should no longer be standing. Even taking Dad's not so short, short cut was awe inspiring.
The Redwood adventure really isn't complete without driving through a tree. Check out Shrine Drive-Thru tree. For $4 (at least at that time) you can drive through a tree and check out the Redwood Tree houses. To plan your adventure through the Avenue of Giants and Humboldt Redwoods State Park, I recommend: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=425.
That officially concludes this adventure through the California Redwoods. If, by chance, you happen to be near Garberville, CA (near the Southern end of the Avenue of Giants) and need to get back to the Trinity National Forest area I recommend: Alderpoint Rd to Ruth-Zenia Rd to Mad River Road to Hwy 36 to Route 3, which heads right to Hwy 299. Long and windy, but quite the peaceful views