Ecological Staircase Trail at Jug Handle State Reserve
Let’s go on a little trip to Jug Handle State Natural Reserve, on the California coast just off of Highway One between Mendocino and Fort Bragg.
There’s a sandy beach at Jug Handle, and up from the beach is an arching bridge. First circle around the headlands, then walk inland under the bridge. The five mile (total round trip) Ecological Staircase Trail takes us on a tour of geological updrift from the coast to a pygmy forest. This hike through five marine terraces demonstrates 500,000 years of ecological succession (100,000 years per terrace). Pick up an informative brochure if you’d like to follow the self-guided tour.
The journey up the ecological staircase begins with many steps down. You can then enjoy the dappled shade while crossing a much less assuming but equally lovely bridge.
Making your way up through forests of spruce, fir, and redwood, keep an eye out for the colors and textures of plants small and large. In the late summer you may be treated with ripe huckleberries.
At the top of the ecological staircase is a pygmy forest. The fragile soil is protected from your footsteps by a boardwalk. Pygmy cypress, redwood, rhododendron, and reindeer lichen can be seen here.
As you return back down the trail, enjoy the transition from sun to shade.
You made it! And you only had to travel 500,000 years.