Coast Ranges – North

The coast ranges north of the Bay Area are much like their counterparts to the south. The main difference is that the mountains here grow taller and their slopes grow wetter as one moves north. The coastal population of this region is also much smaller and more spread out. Besides Eureka, there are no medium to large cities on the California coast north of San Francisco.

At one time a nearly unbroken redwood forest stretched from the Golden Gate north into Oregon. While many of the redwood groves have fallen to the axe, the legacy of the Redwood Empire lives on. The north coast has seen its share of booms and busts. As such, the region is characterized by a fierce individualism that straddles both sides of the political spectrum. But like many of the other more rural and remote sections of the state, the economy is often dependant on forces beyond local control.

Coastal Geomorphology

Battering waves pound relentlessly eroding the jutting headland.

Drake's Bay

This bay in Point Reyes National Seashore, takes its name from the English explorer Sir Francis Drake. Drake was on an expedition to circumnavigate the globe (1577–1580), when he made a detour near here in hopes of raiding Spanish galleons. Instead he was forced to make repairs in a port he named Nova Albion, or "New Britain" in 1579. Nobody knows for sure where the expedition made landfall as Drake endeavored to keep his movements a secret from the Spanish.

Eel River

Along with the Klamath and Trinity Rivers, the Eel is a major watercourse in the coast ranges of Northern California. But the Eel is a mercurial river. The discharge and flow rates can fluctuate wildly depending on the location of the river and the time of year. After weeks of rains in December of 1964, the river's discharge at its mouth was estimated to be at a whopping 936,000/cfs. In most years, however, the crests are not that dramatic. Still, the difference between winter and summer is impressive. The USGS stream gage at Scotia records a monthly mean flow rate of 19,720/cfs. in January. In the dry summer months 151/cfs is the average sum for August.

Eureka

Eureka is the largest port and city in California north of San Francisco. As such, there are many signs and symbols linking Eureka to its maritime heritage. Fishing and shipping are still important industries in the local economy.

Fern Gully

Ferns and other moisture loving plants are extremely common in the understory of the redwood forest as seen here in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Here we see a fallen giant which has become a nurse log. In its decay this dead tree is helping to support new communities of life.

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