Adventure 008, Hike 009 - Azalea State Reserve

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 008, Hike 009 - Azalea State Reserve

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  May 30, 2012

Location: Arcata

Hike Info:

Trail: East and West Loop Trails

Distance: 1.25

Duration: 1:00

Elevation Rise: Unknown

No GPS Track—did not record

Description:
Situated just out of Arcata, this State wild area must be one of the smallest in California. So small, we drive past it before our GPS noticed we had overshot it. So turning around, we find the sign-less parking lot—well, at least with out one identifying it as Azalea State Reserve.



There are two trail loops to this park—the West Loops, which is the shorter--.5 miles and the East Loop--.75 miles. My Mom and Dad do the shorter, half mile loop with Thing One and Thing Two. We then do the longer East loop alone. Both loops are refreshing. The West loop is mostly level, with slight ups and downs. This loop has the Azaleas blooming really nicely—the east loop also had some, but it is more of a rain forest environment with ferns and moss covered trees. The East loop has more of a hill to provide a sense of relief to the terrain.



On the whole, this area is refreshing and worthwhile stopping for an hour or two.