From Tracks to Trees: Exploring the Amazing Forest at the End of the Skunk Train.

The Skunk Train in Fort Bragg, California, is a historic train ride that offers a unique experience through the redwood forests of Mendocino County. Originally built in 1885 to transport redwood logs, the Skunk Train now serves as a scenic attraction for sightseers. It offers two main journeys: the one-hour Pudding Creek Express, which covers a 7-mile round trip along the Pudding Creek Estuary, and the two-hour Wolf Tree Turn, which climbs to the highest point in the line, reaching an elevation of 1,740 feet and providing a view of the redwood-dense Noyo River Canyon. The ride is powered by steam and diesel, with passengers enjoying the tranquil silence as the train chugs along the rails. The Skunk Train is a long-standing family tradition in California, with new generations eagerly anticipating the conductor’s call to “All aboard!”

We had the pleasure to visit this location, and I wanted to share some of the picture with you. If you are a lover of all things plants and tree this is an amazing location of green. This Blog will be minimal words and large pictures.

The inside of the railcars it has all the feeling of stepping back in time. It is a historic train car. The ride is quite lovely.

We had a passenger beside us on the trip that seemed to enjoy it as much as we did.

The track path left the city and disappeared into nature, and we felt we had gone back in time.

Once at the end of the “line” the train came to a stop and allowed passengers off to explore.

They had an amazing area to sit and relax, but we were too excited to sit and went off exploring.

Below is one of the walk paths set by the Park Service.

Small areas of water and plant life were everywhere. Many things to explore

Below- Bitter wintercress ( Barbarea vularis)

Below- Elderberry

The massive size of the evergreens was amazing.

Unlike the dessert, you almost never saw bare dirt.

The walk path had a small bridge, and we enjoyed this spot for a while.

My love of ferns was deeply fed on this visit

The mix of plant life was lovely.

I hope you enjoyed the small taste of an amazing must-visit outdoor location. We were only sorry that we didn’t ask if we could catch the train on its next trip back to us to be able to stay longer in the forest area.