Or at least that is how this particular woodland feels. Nestled on the crags and ledges of a remote North Wales valley but quite close to the sea, a walk, or scramble, through this wood takes you into a different world that works on a different timescale to the rest of us.
Centuries of timber harvesting, grazing by upland sheep and feral goats, and mining for manganese have shaped this wood. Boulders are covered in carpets of mosses, liverworts, lichens and ferns because this is essentially the temperate rainforest, with high humidity and (relative) warmth and grazing by the wild goats has kept the under-story open, which the lichens and mosses love.
This is how we’re trying to keep the wild goats out. If we don’t they’ll eat and strip all of the saplings and young trees, and the woodland will never regenerate. But they still manage to get in…
And the remains of past lives can be seen in the wood. Sheep pens, boundary walls and mine entrances…
Mike Howe 
Wonderful landscapes, Mike!
Thank you belatedly! I’ve been on a trip 🙂
Green and luscious. Lovely.
I like your magical woods, Mike.
Thanks Bente, they really are lovely
Mike, have you checked out the Death Valley site? This is their basic info about a summer visit.
Is it safe to visit Death Valley in the summer?
Yes, but you must be prepared and use common sense. With an air conditioned vehicle you can safely tour many of the main sites in Death Valley. Stay on paved roads in summer, and if your car breaks down, stay with it until help arrives.
Always bring plenty of water in your car in case of emergency and drink at least 2 to 4 liters per day, more if you are active in the heat. Summer hiking is not recommended except in the early morning hours and in the mountains.
The site is at http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm
Thanks Pat, yes I’ve seen the nps website as we are visiting many places. We’ll only really be driving across Death Valley en route from Vegas to the Sierras. We may have to camp on the western side near Lone Pine for one night before heading up into Sequoia NP, which I’m dying to see again. We’re camping at the Grand Canyon too but I’m hoping it won’t be too uncomfortable….:)
Sounds like a wonderful trip!
Thanks for the visit. Such a magical place!
You’re welcome Emilie, it was a pleasure to go there I can tell you. What’s the weather like with you at the moment? We’re flying into Phoenix on 29th before heading north up into Utah…can’t wait…such a beautiful country 🙂
I am again (as by one of your earlier postings) reminded of the magic landscape of Lord of the Rings! I need to do a Wales – New Zealand comparison now by googling random images 🙂
It does have that kind of feel, but New Zealand does it on a much bigger scale I think, although I’ve never been, I really want to though 🙂
How beautiful, Mike! I love woodlands like this. I really hope you manage to keep the goats out!
Thanks Jo, it was a real pleasure learning about those woods and helping with management, it’s a fab place
Is this where you work!? What a wonderful place to be. The problem of feral animals has no easy solution. I remember when they removed feral donkeys from Death Valley National Park. They had to use helicopters to round up some of those in remote areas. It was a rather expensive operation.
Hi Pat, yes I was up there working last week, I get around all over Wales so it’s always really interesting to learn about new places and help people out with their management, which is what I do. I’m going to Death Valley in July – you mean I won’t see any feral donkeys? Shame….;)
If you’re there in July, I do hope you’ll be in an air conditioned tour bus. Not much shade in DV. 😦
I know I’m a bit worried about that, but we’re only crossing it from Vegas to the Sierra Nevada, although we will be camping somewhere on that side…..gulp…:)
Straight to my heart. This looks like home to me – except for the mines.
Fortunately the mines are quite hidden under all the luxuriant woodland growth, glad it reminds you of home Leya 🙂
Amazing landscape. I think I would be scared of falling down a mine, though.
It has been known to happen 🙂
What an amazing landscape! I’ve never been to that part of Wales so I will have to make some time to travel there.
You won’t regret it. The Rhinogs are one of N Wales’ best kept secrets and are full of beauty and charm, highly recommend a trip 🙂
This area of North Wales has a charming, mystical quality about it. I could hike around there for days and never be tired of the layers of beauty.
Thanks Elisa, I know you’d love some of the places because you’re right, they are charming and mystical. This wood in particular was one of the most interesting I’ve ever been in, just when I thought I was getting to know it the next rise or bend would bring a new surprise, it was fab 🙂
I find it intriguing to explore places where there are remnants of history. The stories those rocks could tell!
Yes Anneli when you’re there you can feel the history oozing out of the ground 🙂