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Show some love to our forests this Valentine's Day weekend by hiking and hunting for fungi at Big Basin Redwoods State Park! Park docents will be hosting three hikes on Sunday, Feb. 15, starting off the day at 9am with free coffee and hot chocolate at the visitor center fireplace. Warm up and wake up before setting off for romantic and earth-loving adventures in the redwoods!
At 9:30am, Travel into the heart of Big Basin on a moderate to strenuous 11 mile, 7 hour loop hike to Berry Creek Falls, a 65-foot waterfall that's worth the walk. The hike will wind through shady canyons of redwoods and crest ridges along the way, led by docent Bill Rhoades. Bring plenty of water, a lunch, and wear layers.
If you're looking for a shorter adventure, docent naturalist Barry Grimm will be leading a moderately paced hike at 12pm through some of the most photo-worthy trails in the park. Tailored to the interests and needs of whoever joins the hike, this exploration of trails less traveled will provide opportunities to see animals and plants that live at Big Basin. Bring water, snacks, and sturdy shoes. Rain cancels.
Also at 12pm, have some fun with fungi and celebrate your love for mushrooms by joining this 1.5 mile walk in search of the funkiest 'shroom you can find! Join Ranger Emily Bertram for an exploration of the park's strangely shaped, colorful, and diverse mushrooms. No mushrooms will be harmed or harvested on this hike since it's illegal to pick them in a state park, but everyone will go home with knowledge about the fungi in our forests.
Meet at Big Basin Park Headquarters, 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, for all hikes. Free, but parking is $10. Learn about the activities happening on Saturday, Feb. 14 here.
Photo by Oaktown Pete/ Creative Commons
