Fern Canyon Scenic Trail

Fern Canyon Scenic Trail is a definition of "scenic" and "peaceful". On the day I was there, few people joined in so I had a chance to be alone in nature.

The entrance to the park is $10, and the trail is just a few minutes away from the booth. There is a small parking lot accommodating maybe 8 cars or so. On a weekend, I can see people having to park further away and just walk to the trailhead.

Most of the trail is under the canopy of pine trees. There is a sense of protection from the forest that you get almost as soon as you get there. The "mountain lion spotted" sign did not discourage me to continue. I have yet to see one in the wild. Water is everywhere - you can hear it, smell it (well, maybe not water), feel it on the skin. It makes the hike cool and moist.

My pink see-through ear tells you that sun barely peeks through the forest

There are bridges over creeks, dozens of them! I love the sound of hiking shoes against the wooded surface. It is soft, but noticeable, muffled to a point, yet echoes in the forest where sound mostly comes from animals and flowing water.

The trail loops after the first 2 miles and continues in the Pygmy forest where trees that are hundreds of years old are the size of a petite young birch. As the trail loops back to the original trail, the tall trees prevail yet again.

It is a long trail that some might consider boring. This is because they don't listen to the surroundings. I see people with their headphones in trying to "entertain" themselves continuously. They are so missing the point of hiking. This is one of those trails where you really want to be consumed by the overwhelming power of nature; it's a great place to meditate or do a walking meditation. The trail is long but not very difficult. I would definitely come back here.