#6: [24-Sep-11]

#5: [25-Aug-09]

#3: [22-Jan-01]

#1: [20-Jan-01]

#2: [20-Jan-01] (incomplete)

29-Jun-2003 -- Traveling south down Highway 101 our next stop was 40-124. The town of Shelter Cove is about an hour away although it's only 21 miles. It is a very twisty and curvy road. We found the Nadelos campground about a mile and a half down Chemise Mountain Road a few miles from Shelter Cove and discovered that we had the campground to ourselves. It was extremely clean and very quiet. We decided to go into town for dinner after parking the RV and as we descended into Shelter Cove we also descended into the low coastal clouds. Our dinner at the Marina would have had spectacular views on a clear day but we were only able to watch seagulls and pelicans flying by the windows in the limited visibility. There was about a 20 deg (F) temperature change from the Nadelos campground to the Coast.

Our journey started out at the trailhead between campsites 5 and 6. The trail has multiple switchbacks but is well marked and easy to follow. After about a mile of climbing, you are on top of the ridge on the Chemise Mountain Trail and you will proceed south for a little over a mile before you reach the intersection. As we were nearing the top of the ridge, the low coastal clouds were blowing inland, condensing on the trees and precipitating on us - something we were not expecting! This time we were prepared for the temperature change - but not exactly getting wet. We were hoping for what would have been outstanding views of the coast and Pacific Ocean but my kids thought it neat to have hiked up to a cloud.

There is a trail marker within 30 meters of the confluence. I hiked down to try and get a zero reading but overhead trees, the mist, and the current constellation geometry of visible satellites all contributed to a continually wandering intersection. Three hours is plenty of time for a round trip from the trailhead.

Photo 1 shows a view northward from the confluence with cloud mist coming from the west and saturating everything. Photo 2 shows the trail marker near the spot. Photo 3 shows the GPS shot. Photo 4 shows the trail sign at the Nadelos campground. Photo 5 shows the trailhead between campsites 5 and 6. Photo 6 shows 4 RINO's and an eMap near the trail marker.