Autumn (November 2001) California Redwoods and Waterfalls: The Berry Creek Falls Loop in the Forest of Big Basin State Park

Welcome to Ariadne's Forest

Autumn (November 2001) California Redwoods and Waterfalls: The Berry Creek Falls Loop in the Forest of Big Basin State Park.
by Joan Zimmerman, Ph.D.

What can you see and hear by walking a particular trail every month? The 11-mile Berry Creek Falls Trail is a loop through redwood forests, riparian habitats, and chaparral. Each month there are marvelous changes. Here is the news for November for this Trail.

Other monthly reports.

Autumn ( September, October, November).
Winter ( December, January, February).
Spring ( March, April, May).
Summer ( June, July, August).

November 2001

Highlights:

Winter rains have begun. Part of the hike was in a heavy shower; the redwoods entirely protected the path from the rain.
Near Park HQ: a fawn grazing alone; the loud, slow drumming of pileated woodpeckers; the caw of crows.
13 (thirteen) banana slugs in miles 2-4.
Near Timm's Creek Trail, counted 224 tree rings in the redwood that fell across the trail last month. So, that redwood began in 1777.
The first California newt of the season, seen around mile 3, slowly climbing its mile or two back to its birth pool or birth stream.
A few mushrooms and shelf fungi.
California sister butterfly around mile 5.
A Cooper's hawk (quite large, brown and white barred chest) glided down from a knobcone pine on the boundary between chapparal and mixed conifer.
Oregon juncos pecking the dry path under conifers.
Small orange globes of the madrone berries dot the trail around mile 9.
Huckleberry leaves especially bright and shining.

The Trail:

Respect The Berry Creek Falls Trail. Honor the trail restrictions, in courtesy for the Forest and other users. Hikers only. No dogs. No horses. No mountain bikes.

November 2001

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