Indian Creek Loop

Today I explored another magical place, this time in Castle Crags State Park. Literally minutes from the freeway, the park was easy to find and there was ample paved parking, along with the $8 fee for day use. It was money well spent.

In planning this excursion, I read mixed reviews. None of them were wrong (except the one who said this was boring, I don't agree with them). Parking was easy, there was a real bathroom and picnic area complete with grills. The entrance to the trail was across the lot and had a box containing a trail guides describing the water cycle. I think the information is interesting and would be fun for kids to hunt for the markers (I have to admit I missed a few). I mostly used the booklet to fan away the little flies. I will be adding my old lady fan to my backpack for future tiny insect invasions.

If I had actually read the booklet, I would have known that the numbers start on the left side of the loop. Of course, I went to the right. This side had more sun exposure and was much drier so there were fewer plants on the ground. I was glad to have the sun during the cooler part of the hike, and it allowed me to see the forest floor. When you think about how everything in a redwood forest grows, really consider all of the layers, it truly is amazing.

In case you don't know about the layers, let me break it down...You have the soil under the ground with living organisms, the leaves and pine needles just above the ground, above that are the fallen trees and branches, and then you have the trees reaching up to the sky. Each layer provides food and shelter for some living thing, including humans.

After stopping a few times to marvel at the magnificence of nature, I came to the most adorable bridge. I wasn't sure if I should be looking for the troll who lives under it, or the three Billy Goats Gruff crossing over. What I did know was that this wooden bridge with stone steps leading up both sides had to come right out of a fairy tale. And as I crossed over it, I realized that I was walking right into one. From this point on, everything was lush and green and cool and shaded. The forest floor was a carpet of green plants. The pine needles on the path seemed more like mulch. Even the rocks along the trail were covered with moss. It truly was like I had entered a whole different forest when all I had done was cross over a magical little bridge.

I continued on, admiring all of the different plants that had appeared, being grateful for whoever took the time to edge the path with stones, and listening to the creek cascade over everything in its path.

After following the trail for a while, I came to a construction zone where it looks like they are building a new bridge. It was fenced off and I was worried that I would have to turn around and retrace my steps back to the car. Instead, the path took me down along the river and right up to this little friend who was foraging for her lunch. I have seen these birds on several different hikes, with jet black heads and the most beautiful blue tailfeathers. I asked her if I could take her picture, and she stopped to pose.

Reaching the second bridge, I noticed massive plant that only seems to grow in the middle of creeks and rivers and not along the shore. If I had been standing in the river, the stalks would have been about as tall as me. Of course, I had to stop to watch the water rush over and through rocks and fallen trees and plants. The sound of water is one of the most calming things to me. It was hard to leave...but I did.

Arriving on the other side of the creek, I happened to turn around and look back. That's one thing that I'm learning to do when walking on a loop, to turn around and look back at where I came from. It gives you a whole different perspective sometimes.

Since it took me so long to reach the river when starting out, I was surprised to find that I was nearly back to the beginning. Heading out into the sunshine, I passed a few forks in the road toward different trails, including the PCT. I'll add them to my list.

So many trails, so little time...