The second park we visited on the trip to Mendocino was Van Damme State Park, located a couple miles south of Mendocino on Highway 1. We did a run up the Fern Trail along Little River. The trail is aptly named as a carpet of ferns covers under thick stands of second growth redwoods and mossy maples covers the canyon. The lushness reminded me of the forests in Western Washington. The pathway is wide for the first 2.5 miles and features eight beautifully constructed bridges spanning Little River. Then, it turns to single track as you continue up the canyon. The Fern Trail is always within earshot of Little River and much of the way it travels right along the stream with numerous cascades and small waterfalls.
- California State Parks Brochure (PDF)
Leor Pantilat's Adventures
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