Big River State Park

It was a beautiful day in Mendocino and a hike was in order. We drove down Hwy One for just a couple of miles and turned at the Big River Beach sign off the highway. This tranquil 7,400 acres of the Big River watershed is attached to the Mendocino Headlands State Park as the «Big River Unit.» Along the river is an old logging road that winds with the river for many miles, and is great for hiking or biking.
We took the dog for a swim and then started out on the logging road trail for just shy of a 90-​minute round trip hike. It was beautiful! The road was wide enough for hikers and bikers going in both directions, and the views were pristine and breathtaking in spots. The hills are very gentle it runs along the river for approximately seven miles. In the first mile or so there is an abandoned quarry on the left side. If you go all the way in and then some, you’ll reach Lily’s Swimming Hole.
While walking I ate my first wild blackberry ever! I’m a scared-​ee-​cat when it comes to venturing off the trail to eat something wild. Plus there is plenty of Poison Oak all along the trail. «Leaves of three, let it be!»