Light Shines Through

Light Shines Through
            In deep, dense forest, light struggles to filter through even on the sunniest day. The blended aroma of moist soil, tree bark, and moss is most intoxicating in the darkest places.
            My childhood summer vacations in the Adirondacks were often spent walking under a forest canopy wearing a rain parka over a thick sweatshirt. It was a miraculous treasure when the sun broke through to the forest floor.
            Here in California, Muir Woods is one of the most popular places to see a redwood forest. I have visited many times, often in late afternoon, when fading daylight was falling at an angle. That light is beautiful to the eye, but clear images are harder to capture with a camera in scarce light.
            I recently visited Muir Woods earlier in the day, when the summer sun was shining straight down. There was enough light for my camera to focus, and once in a while a glorious burst of sun came down on the trail through a gap in the trees.
            Enjoy dark moody trails for their unique atmosphere, and celebrate unexpected bright spots when you stumble upon them. Keep putting one foot forward!
            This week’s Hike Notes, Muir Woods National Monument, takes readers to Marin County to one of the most popular places to see redwoods.
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New this week:
Hike Notes 206: Muir Woods National Monument