It took forever to get to Fern Canyon.  It is 8 miles down an old, dirt road filled with pot-holes.  Several times you have to cross small creeks without bridges…just drive right through water about a foot deep, sometimes deeper.  We made it through just fine in our van, but I was a bit nervous.  Several people stopped, but even the small sedans were able to get through, so don't be intimidated. 

The hike itself is not that long, but beware…the sign that marks the trail is a bit misleading.  Make sure you continue past the sign into the canyon, not up the hill.  We talked to several people who got lost.  Once you're in the canyon you'll walk through a shallow stream and over several makeshift bridges back into an area where the walls are covered in ferns.  It feels very much like a rain forest…very wet.  Beautiful.  It was one of the kids' favorite hikes.  We did a loop through the canyon and back around to the entrance on a ridge.  Once we got back to the canyon floor they wanted to go back and do it again! 

From Fern Canyon we went to the Prairie Creek Visitor's Center to turn in our Jr. Ranger sheets and get our badges.  The staff there was very friendly and gave us directions for a short hike through the old-growth Redwoods.  By then, it had started sprinkling, but we were determined to see some of the really big trees. 

The Big Tree Loop starts just behind the visitor's center.  As soon as you step on the trail you are rewarded with an enormous old redwood tree right in the middle of a bridge.  We were shocked at its size, but it was small compared with what was yet to come.  As we walked along the trail we were continually stunned by the size of the trees, and just when we thought they couldn't get any bigger, we'd round a corner and see something even more impressive.  They are awe inspiring.  I would highly recommend this hike.  This forest is like nothing you've ever seen before! 

We expected to be on a 3 mile trail, but somewhere we took a wrong turn.  We were wandering.  It was getting late, everyone was hungry, and I was starting to worry about getting stuck in the forest after dark.  Eventually, we picked up Cathedral Trees trail and headed back toward the visitor's center.  On the way we passed the "Big Tree" - over 320 feet tall, 21.5 feet in diameter, and 1500 years old! 

I was very proud of the boys.  Dan and I figured we hiked between 4 and 5 miles in the Redwoods, after having done about 2 miles in Fern Canyon.  Toward the end of the hike we played the game…"I'm going to the motorhome and I'm taking…"  It did the trick and kept them distracted and laughing for at least 30 minutes.  You should have heard what they came up with, trudging along the trails. 

"I'm going to the motorhome and I'm taking a banana slug (we'd seen dozens of them!)" 

"I'm going to the motorhome and I'm taking a banana slug and a chocolate and raspberry covered energy bar."

"I'm going to the motorhome and I'm taking a banana slug and a chocolate and raspberry covered energy bar and a blister on my toe." Pictures in the gallery .