From Patrick's Point to Sue-meg, A Trip 13 Years Later
Sue-meg State Park, A Visit
Our last visit in the Trinidad area was to the Sue-meg State Park. We had camped here 13 years earlier, when it was still known as Patrick’s Point. The park was renamed Sue-meg to honor the original Yurok name, which means “a place where something is always done.
We hiked the stunning Rim Trail and walked along the coastal cliffs with ocean views, wildflowers, and massive trees. We made stops at the Wedding Rock, the Ceremonial Rock, and the Lookout Rock. Wedding Rock is a popular romantic setting for couples to get married or take engagement pictures. Ceremonial Rock has likely been used by the Yurok people for gatherings or ceremonies. We also stopped at Lookout Rock, named after the incredible views it offers over the coastline and forest.
Sue-meg State Park, A Reflection
We also made a stop at a recreated Yurok village, which offered a glimpse into the culture that existed in this area long before it became a park. It is powerful to see that Native American history is acknowledged and shared in Sue-meg State Park, especially when we learned that the former name giver, Patrick Beegan, was one of many colonizers who participated in massacres of Native American people in the area.
Date
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Distance
4.67 miles
Moving Time
2:00:15 hrs
Weather
64 °F, light breeze