Rhododendrons in Redwood NP

Hi folks...when do the Rhododendrons begin blooming in Redwood NP? Also, any info on when the lupines out there are at their best? Any suggestions would be much appreciated, thanks.

Kartik

Well,

I think things usually start up in May. Of course every year is a little different like anywhere. I took this last May 17th inside Jedediah Smith Redwood SP which is right above Redwood NP:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/5013181_7nmjX#304403460_Wk9x6-XL-LB

This year I am thinking about checking out Kruse Rhododendron SNR. Their website also says May.

Lastly you can always call the park rangers for the inside scoop.

Derek

Lovely picture, Derek! Thanks for the information on when to consider going to the
Park for Rhododendrons.

Yep, Derek is right. May is the month for it.

Anyone know of the southern most point to find those beside Redwood NP?

Good luck getting those Kartik.

How about the Redwood Groves in Yosemite or the Groves in Kings Canyon? I bet Floris has shot in the Spring there.

The Sequoia groves are wonderful in spring, late May you get the dogwoods blooming, and in my opinion few things are more beautiful.. no rhodies though.

Thanks Floris,

Then the furthest south may be the Kruse Rhododendron SNR. I just called the reserve today and they said they Rhodies are just starting to bloom. The ranger said they should be peaking in the next couple of weeks depending on weather, etc...

Derek

I drove to the Kruse Rhododendron Park last year May 3rd & 4th:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ifernau/2484029172/in/set-72157600235425561/

Redwood National Park is by far a better location for these. I believe I got them during their peak:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ifernau/sets/72157605269744747/

Not sure if the links will show up...Thank you Derek

Inge

Wow Inge,

Those are some really nice shots. And your travel blogs are excellent! Thanks for sharing!

Based on your two separate trips it looks like you were a bit early for Kruse Rhododendron SNR last year. And your second trip seemed to be more during the peak bloom. I was also at Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP last year. I came a week before you. And while the flowers were nice they were definately only in select areas.

I think your second trip blog really explains better what the experience is like in terms searching out and 'discovering' the blooms.

Just as an FYI, this site requires you place your own tags for links to work like this [ u r l ] your link [ / u r l ]<remove spaces> : http://www.flickr.com/photos/ifernau/2484029172/in/set-72157600235425561

Derek

FYI, for anyone else that's interested I just talked to RWNP and the ranger said the rhodies are pretty much in full bloom right now. The spots he specifically mentioned were around Hiouchi, Mill Creek, and off of 101 south of Crescent City. He thought they'd be blooming all over but those were just the places he'd been to.

I was planning on going up on the 29th, but it might be worth it to go up this weekend and hope the crowds aren't too bad.

Hey, thanks Mat!

I was just thinking about heading up there within the next couple of weeks. I read in Inge's blog about how her recent trip to Kruse Rhododendron State Reserve was less the stellar - http://ifernau.blogspot.com/. So its sounds like RWNP is the best choice for Rhodies this year. Hopefully they will be around for at least a couple of weeks either way.

Obviously RWNP does not get the crowds of Yosemite. But Memorial Weekend will still have more folks than the weekend after I would think. Hmm... Now you have me thinking about the timeframe.

Rhodies are one of the most beautiful flowers I have seen in the forest or anywhere for that matter.

Derek

The window at Kruse is narrow much like dogwood areas. So if one is off a bit on a visit it can appear a lot less appealing. And as someone there last Saturday would relate it was near peak and there were alot of blooms especially if one explores beyond into their trail system. However there are no old growth redwoods as they were logged out decades ago so one doesn't have the strong complementing forest as up in Del Norte County.

Thanks David,

So it sounds like you or someone you know reported finding some decent flowers off the main roads and back into their trails. The is that Kruse is a lot closer than RWNP. But it is that much better there it may be worth the extra drive.

Derek