JD-0150
Sunset at Mammoth Rocks, Sonoma Coast State Park, California
© 2003 Jerry Dodrill

The Kortum Trail is a beautiful hike between Wrights Beach and Goat Rock along the Sonoma Coast's enchanting bluffs and prairie. Eleven thousand years ago, enormous Columbian mammoth, bison and saber-toothed tigers roamed the area. State Park Archaeologist Breck Parkman is trying to prove his theory that the smooth rubbings on these schist boulders were caused by the large beasts as they scratched mud from their itchy shoulders and haunches. In the modern era, humans scale the polished faces to test their strength, sharpen their minds and to try to connect with their prehistoric roots.