Author | Lightnews

Melanie S. @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social · 3d

This is easily one of my favorite Northern California redwood parks. It includes 14,000 acres, and was declared a state park in 1923.

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#Camp #Camping #CampLikeAGirl #RoadTrip #Washington #Oregon #California #FallRoadTrip #Autumn #Redwoods #OregonCoast #OlympicPeninsula #ParkChat

A view of Prairie Creek surrounded by lush vegetation.

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Melanie S. @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social · 3d

We also drove a 4x4 road called Cal Barrel Road, which took you into the heart of the redwoods. It was incredibly serene.

The park is situated off the 101 freeway and has two campgrounds--we were in Elk Prairie for two nights.

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Three people at the base of the "Big Tree" on a deck surrounded by other trees.

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Melanie S. @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social · 3d

It was such a lovely and magical location that we changed our reservation and stayed another night.

We were there at the shoulder season and all the bridges were pulled up over the creeks, so any stream crossing meant wading through the very cold (like take your breath away cold) water.

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A woman pops out from behind a large redwood with duff on the ground.

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Melanie S. @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social · 3d

The weather was pretty good (scattered showers) for this park and my mom saw an epic double rainbow while Jakey and I hiked.

We saw a lot of evidence of bear, elk, and deer scat on the ground, but they never came near our campsite (that we were aware of).

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A view of a large redwood tree and blue and cloudy skies above.

A view of lush green vegetation with ferns, mosses, and trees on the creek side.

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Melanie S. @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social · 3d

Then, we entered the next destination and (as I suspected) my mom and Jacob's socks were blown off with Prairie Creek Redwoods SP.

We switched campsites so that the rutting Roosevelt elk could be seen in the meadow--though that never happened.

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A view looking up with ferns on the bottom and redwood trees reaching for the grey skies.

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Melanie S. @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social · 3d

Day 5, 6 & 7 - Tues., Sept 30. - Thur., Oct. 2, 2025
📍Orick, CA
📍Prairie Creek Redwoods SP, CA

We left Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP and headed down to coast. We drove an offroad coastal loop near the Klamath River with spectacular views of the rugged coastline.

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A view of the rugged coast with sea stacks in the ocean and grey skies above.

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Reposted by Melanie S.

59nationalparks @59nationalparks.bsky.social · 6d

Q11 #ParkChat Q11 You want to wear a costume that has a National Park theme. You can’t come up with an idea so you turn to this tool. Let us know what costume it guides you to and does it make sense? I’m a plotting river otter apparently.

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Melanie S. @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social · 6d

A12. #ParkChat Book Club is reading Confluence by
@zakpodmore.bsky.social. The book is more than just a story of the Colorado River and its tributaries. It touches on Indigenous stories, family, water rights, and adventures. Our second meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 18th at 5 PM Pacific. DM me for deets.

A book cover with the title Confluence against a topographic map of the canyon.

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Melanie S. @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social · 6d

Awwww... shucks. #ParkChat

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Melanie S. @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social · 6d

A10: I'm connecting spiced apple cider to the Utah National Parks. #ParkChat

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Reposted by Melanie S.

Tom Thrash @tthrash.bsky.social · 6d

Q10. Halloween candy, pumpkin spice this or that. And pies! Connect any NP site to seasonal food or beverage. #parkchat

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Melanie S. @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social · 6d

A9: I saw a cougar at Grand Canyon NP. It was spectacular. #ParkChat

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Reposted by Melanie S.

Tom Thrash @tthrash.bsky.social · 6d

Q9. Howling and growling creatures. Wolves, coyotes, bear, mountain lions—Share a story or picture of an encounter with one of these critters. The scarier—but not too scary—the better… #parkchat

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Melanie S. @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social · 6d

A8: I wouldn't do tight crevices or passageways---100% exceeds my comfort zone. #ParkChat

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Reposted by Melanie S.

Tom Thrash @tthrash.bsky.social · 6d

Q8. Caves are dark with some very tight spaces. I got a demo of the total darkness in Jewel Cave NP. That didn’t bother me. But, the thought of squeezing into a really tight crevice or passageway does. Who has or would brave cavern areas beyond the main chambers? #parkchat

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Melanie S. @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social · 6d

Great questions. #ParkChat

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Melanie S. @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social · 6d

A7: I've been to a few caves/caverns... I've probably been to three sites. Nothing new on my list yet. No bat pictures here.
#ParkChat

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Reposted by Melanie S.

Tom Thrash @tthrash.bsky.social · 6d

Q7. Did you really think there wouldn’t be a cave question or two? I mean, come on, that would be batty. How many of the caves/cavern sites have you been to? Any on your bucket list? Bonus points for bat pictures. #parkchat

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Melanie S. @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social · 6d

A6: Manazar NHS has an eerie feeling (not the creeps) for me... it is like the land connects you to the pain. #ParkChat

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Reposted by Melanie S.

Tom Thrash @tthrash.bsky.social · 6d

Q6. Many of the National Historic sites feature very old buildings and homes. Tell us about a visit to one of these sites with squeaky floors or that in some way gave you the creeps. #parkchat

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Melanie S. @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social · 6d

A5: All I know is that entering one at night is NOT on my list of things to do. EVER. #ParkChat

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Reposted by Melanie S.

Tom Thrash @tthrash.bsky.social · 6d

Q5. No doubt, some of the Civil War battlefield sites feel haunted. Do any stand out to you more than any others? #parkchat

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Melanie S. @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social · 6d

A4: I'm saying @publiclandlvr.bsky.social or @beckyjlomax.bsky.social ... #ParkChat

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Melanie S. @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social · 6d

A3: A large predator or a mammal that could "get" me. #ParkChat

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Reposted by Melanie S.

Tom Thrash @tthrash.bsky.social · 6d

Q4. Let’s go the other way: you’re on a trail. It’s cold; light is becoming scarce; you might be in trouble. Which #parkchat regular would you want by your side?

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