River Views

In late summer, if you walk west along Madsen Lane in Fort Bragg and follow the dirt road to Madsen’s Hole you can splash across the Noyo River without getting your feet wet. From there it’s a short bushwhack to the railroad tracks then a couple of miles up the rail line to the six mile marker. From there, ascend the hill to the north beneath redwood and fir. You might find tiny relics where someone camped. Higher on the steep hill you’ll encounter remnants of PVC pipe. Look closely, you might notice where the pipe’s been cut. Next, you can’t help but stumble upon the terraces dug out of the hillside. You’re getting very close to where Jere Melo was gunned down by Aaron Bassler.