12 Epic Picnic Spots in Humboldt County. Part 3 - Founders' Grove in Avenue of the Giants

The third picnic of our series was especially exciting as it featured the Caribbean Cuisine of local chef, Gaby Long and we were fortunate to enjoy her wonderful creations in the world-famous Avenue of the Giants.  Writer Jessica Ashley Silva takes readers through a little history of the area and breaks down the delicacies that made this such a delicious picnic. 

The Place

In a county with no shortage of scenic drives, one reigns supreme: the Avenue of the Giants. Winding parallel to Highway 101, the Avenue stretches over 31 miles from Scotia down to Phillipsville through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Magnificent views appear at every turn, of the tallest trees and crystal clear waters flowing through the South and Middle forks of the Eel River. The truth is, there is no shortage of ideal places to picnic along Avenue, but Founders' Grove is a must-see start to a few stops along the way if you want to indulge in some historical significance.  

Founders' Grove is one of the most popular spots in the park. It lies just off Highway 101 at the heart of the Avenue's range, south of what was once Dyerville, an old town washed away in the flood of 1955. Picnic tables are situated right at the parking lot, giving easy access to a picnic feast before setting off to walk through history. The loop trail is interpretive – keep an eye out for a ranger who will let you tag along for a guided talk, or for a pamphlet for a self-guided, half-mile tour.  

Don't Miss the First Two Parts of Our Picnic Series

Tom Creek Meadow at Big Lagoon State Park

Cheatham Grove (Where Parts of Return of the Jedi Were Filmed)

Meeting the named trees along the loop is part of the fun; funny enough, Founders' Tree – named for members of the Save the Redwoods League who dedicated the grove – isn't even remotely the star of the trail, but it's a nice start. Beyond Founders' Tree are towering snags (the remnants of non-living redwoods) and hobbit house-sized goosepens (live redwoods hollowed out by fire) to climb in and through. There are massive roots exposed from fallen ancients, with pits that seem far too small to anchor such giants. At the back of the loop lies the Dyerville Giant, a redwood taller than the Statue of Liberty, lying in repose since its fall in 1991. 

"helped save a quarter of all remaining redwood old growth left on the planet" 

Adjacent to the loop trail at Founders' Grove is the Mahan Plaque trail, a one-mile looped trail through old growth named for Laura Perrot Mahan, a woman who helped save a quarter of all remaining redwood old growth left on the planet. If you still have energy, head back to the car and take a super short drive to the California Federation of Women's Clubs Grove – another grove saved by women across California – and check out the huge dedication hearthstone before basking in the idyllic views of the river below.  

The Chef & The Food  

Local chef and Barbadian transplant Gaby Long gave us a taste of the islands to feast on in our temperate rainforest. Barbados is a far cry from the Pacific Northwest, but Long's notion of picnics and the family, togetherness, and food they imply is universal. Her idea of a picnic is certainly more tropical, with the sounds of music in the air and kids running around the beach, the adults playing dominoes and cooking together for the family.

Her generational affinity for cooking was a gift passed down from grandmother, to mother, to Long, who grew up cooking with aunts and cousins, one of whom was her godmother. Long would watch her godmother cook after school, and learned to work a mortar and pestle to crush herbs and make homemade seasoning blends. Cooking was a family affair with the women at the center, and the kids soaking up all they could to carry their recipes into the next generations.

The Caribbean probably feels an entire world away up here in the far north of California, but sometimes closing your eyes, taking a bite of a childhood food, and breathing in the scent of all those memories can help tide you over 'til the next visit. Fortunately for Long, her mother, Verna, cooks with her in her Eureka restaurant, A Taste of Bim. You can go there and get a taste of their recipes which ended up on our Founders' Grove picnic menu. 

Even after a 45 minute drive, everything Long made was still nice and warm (pro-tip: keep food hot in an ice chest… without the ice!). The contents of the feast she made were a total surprise, so each dish was opened with the equivalent glee of a teenage unboxing star on Tik-Tok. First, the classics: macaroni pie – a Caribbean tradition, less saucy and more cheesy on the top, the stuff of dreams, easily made reality if you want to try it (it's on the Taste of Bim menu). And classic cheese sammiches on white bread, with the crusts cut off like your mama used to do. (Both dishes made with Tillamook and Rumiano cheeses.) Then, potato salad (recipe below), so good even a mayo-hater could fall in love.

The next surprise we pulled out was some juicy roasted Mary's chicken, saucy and spiced, competing with the hearty Ferndale Farms lamb stew with root veggies we discovered next – an undercurrent of paprika permeating both dishes. All served with A Taste of Bim's rice with peas (the peas are actually kidney beans, that's what they call them across the Caribbean). The rich flavor of Long's cooking is a welcome departure from your average spice profile. A few bites of a still-warm "light and sweet" cake later, we were full as could be, ready to go get lost at Founders'.  

A Taste of Bim

How to Get There 

From Highway 101 South - Take Exit 663 of Highway 101.  At the stop sign, take a left, going under the Highway, and then an immediate right, going over the Eel River.  Founders' Grove will be on your left.  

From Highway 101 North - Take Exit 663 off of Highway 101 and stay to the right, heading toward Avenue of the Giants.  You'll see Founders' Grove in front of you when you reach Avenue of the Giants. 

Click HERE for a map. 

Other Articles You May Enjoy 

5 Reasons To Love Fortuna's Rohner Park

Hiking the Ossagon Trail At Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

5 Humboldt County Beaches That Are Absolutely Worth A Visit

15 Outdoorsy Things To Do In Humboldt County

Connect With Us 

Jessica is the admin of the popular Humboldt Foodies Facebook Group covering all things food in Humboldt County.

Photography by Aoife Moloney.

Follow NorCalPulse on Facebook and Instagram. @EatHumboldt on Instagram.

Creamed Potato Salad 

1 lb potatoes (crushed)

3/4 cup blender type mayonaisse

2 tablespoons wine vinegar

1.5 teaspoons celery salt

1/4 cup onion (finely chopped)

1/3 cup sweet pickle (chopped)

4 hard boiled eggs (chopped)

2 tablespoons sweet pepper (chopped)

1 tablespoon parsley (finely chopped)

Add salt & pepper to taste

While the potato is still warm, mix in the mayonnaise, vinegar celery salt and onion.  Alllow to cool and then add the remaining ingredients, being careful to fold in the egg so that it does not break unnecessarily.  Cover well and refrigerate for at least 24 hours.  Serve in shape such as a log. 

Written by Jessica Ashley Silva for norcalpulse.com

Jessica is a technical writer living in Humboldt County, California. Her freelance writing covers the tastes and sights of California's North Coast. She's an avid foodie, forager, and explorer of forests, falls, and springs up and down the Pacific Northwest.