On the Jughandle Ecological Staircase trail

If you’re traveling along coastal Highway 1 in Mendocino County, you will probably notice there are quite a number of different bridges crossing over creeks and rivers that flow into the Pacific Ocean. From south to north, the scenic artery crosses the Gualala River, Elk Creek, the Navarro River, the Albion River, the Big River, Jughandle Creek, and the Noyo River — and those are the more obvious ones only as far as Fort Bragg! So there are plenty of photogenic hiking trails and bridges to shoot along this stretch of coastline; and I’m thrilled every time I happen across yet another in my never-ending exploration of the Northern California coast.

Boardwalk along Jughandle Creek

Highway 1 bridge at Russian Gulch State Park

Fern Canyon Trail in Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Fort Bragg

Steam rising from wooden railing, Fort Bragg

Gentle Giants Loop, Hendy Woods State Park

Pygmy Forest Loop, upper Jughandle Creek

Highway 1 bridge over Jughandle Creek