Monday, July 3, 2023

Coastal Drive Loop & Sue-meg State Park (Formerly Patrick's Point State Park)

After leaving Mill Creek Campground on 20 Sep 2019, we got back on Highway 101 South; and as we neared Klamath (CA), I noticed a sign for a scenic drive. The Coastal Drive Loop is a narrow, one-way, partially paved 9-mile scenic loop accessed from 101 via Klamath Beach Road. It was such a visually stunning diversion from the highway and very much worth the added miles to our next destination.

Wilson Creek Beach, Klamath, CA. Photo by Virginia.
Redwood National & State Parks, Klamath, CA. Photo by Margaret.
Redwood National & State Parks, Klamath, CA. Photo by Margaret.
Lagoon Creek Day Use Area, between Crescent City & Klamath. Photo by Virginia.
Lagoon Creek Day Use Area, between Crescent City & Klamath. Photo by Virginia.
Coastal Drive in the Yurok Reservation near Klamath, CA. Photo by Virginia.
The Klamath River empties into the Pacific Ocean. Photo by Virginia.
The Klamath River empties into the Pacific Ocean. Photo by Margaret.
The forest along Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. Photo by Virginia.

Elk Prairie Campground was full which sent us to the nearby Patrick's Point State Park (which was renamed Sue-meg State Park on 30 Sep 2021). We were able to get a campsite for one night (for $19) and were told to check back before noon the next day to see if our (or another) campsite would be available for a second night.

The Roadtrek in Sue-meg State Park. Photo by Virginia.
Sun rays in Sue-meg State Park. Photo by Virginia.

It was almost too cold for me to sit outside in the shade, but I braved the brrrr because the birdsong was such a delight! During my time sitting in our campsite and walking about the campground, I saw chipmunks, squirrels, Stellar’s Jays, small dark chickadee shaped birds, and others too. The forest was so alive!

Sun rays in Sue-meg State Park. Photo by Margaret.

Our T-Mobile signal was hit-or-miss 1-bar LTE, and you know how frustrating those fragile connections can be. It wasn't really a hardship because...we got that second night, and well, just LOOK at what we were in the midst of!

The Rim Trail in Sue-meg State Park. Photo by Virginia.

I enjoyed walking the gorgeous Rim Trail with all of its vibrancy and animal chatter. The view of the Pacific Ocean was breathtakingly gorgeous.

The Pacific Ocean from the Rim Trail in Sue-meg State Park. Photo by Virginia.
The Rim Trail in Sue-meg State Park. Photo by Virginia.
The Rim Trail in Sue-meg State Park. Photo by Virginia.

We left Patrick's Point State Park (renamed Sue-meg State Park) two days after arriving and visited the largest nearby city where a shivery-cold Peaches got something to warm her up!


NOTE: Clicking on the photos in the post will open them in a larger view (recommended!). If you want to see more photos of the beautiful places we've shared, we have them in this Flickr Collection: Over the Hill Sisters Photo Collection.

5 comments:

Karen Brazell said...

The Roadtrek and a $19 campsite amid all that beauty-- priceless!

Virginia Hill said...

Karen, thanks for your comment! This location—as with our entire trip—was definitely priceless!

Mary Jo said...

First time the comment wouldn't take. here goes again. Loved the pictures the one Margaret took of the Klamath took dumping into the Pacific, really drew my eye for whatever reason. How long did it take for you ladies to drive here from your home base?

Mary Jo

Virginia Hill said...

Hey, Mary Jo, thanks for checking out our most recently added post about our trip in 2019. I just checked Google Maps and it's basically 800 miles north of the San Diego area, but we were stopping frequently for sightseeing and camping photo-taking opportunities. California is a VERY long state! We really appreciate your comments, thank you!

Megan Pomeroy said...

Wow! You go to some beautiful places.