I nearly missed this turn that led me onto the boardwalk

The loop trail through the Pygmy Forest forms a huge contrast from previous sections of the Ecological Staircase at Jug Handle State Reserve. Leaving behind the deeply shaded coastal redwood path and soft forest floor, I found myself on a narrow boardwalk in full sunlight lying above highly acidic, poorly draining soil. I was surrounded by a profusion of trees and bushes which my guidebook identified mainly as Mendocino cypress, pygmy manzanita, and Bishop pine. From the viewing platform, I could only make out a tangle of plant growth. Sadly, I didn’t have time to linger and enjoy the smaller details. I had taken far too long on the outbound hike, and now I needed to hurry back to the trailhead.

Behold the definition of “can’t see the forest for the trees”

Most of the plants here grow to only about eight feet, with many cypresses under four feet tall showing mature characteristics and bearing cones. A few Bishop pines and Mendocino cypresses grow up to 30 feet tall here. The roots of these trees have broken through the pygmy hardpan soil to reach underlying pockets of nutrients and water — Hiker’s Hip Pocket Guide to the Mendocino Coast

The boardwalk ends

Turn right and follow the [drainage] ditch downhill for about 150 feet to the Gibney fire road. There you continue west another 250 feet, then turn left on the north-south fire road back to the forest to rejoin the main trail… It’s about 2 miles back to the trailhead.

Dark-eyed Junco