Fog rushes in off the Pacific Ocean, turning Whittemore Gulch (in Purisima Creek Redwoods, California) into an archipelago among clouds.

Whittemore Gulch Trail is one of the more difficult hikes in Purisima Creek Redwoods. But also one of the most rewarding. There are steep ascents, but they repay you with stunning vistas over redwood forests, the Santa Cruz Mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. This view would indeed include the ocean on a fogless day, but those are rare in summer. Even though the fog is common, I still hope for it when hiking in this area, because it gives the photographs that distinctly California feel. And towards dusk, when it creeps further inland, I love how the gold sea of fog turns mountains into islands.

Purchase “Whittemore Gulch At Dusk – Purisima Creek Redwoods” Fine Art Print: