“The redwoods, once seen, leave a mark or create a vision that stays with you always. No one has ever successfully painted or photographed a redwood tree. The feeling they produce is not transferable. From them comes silence and awe. It’s not only their unbelievable stature, nor the color which seems to shift and vary under your eyes, no, they are not like any trees we know, they are ambassadors from another time.”
~ John Steinbeck, “Travels With Charley – In Search of America”
Gazing skywards within the Tall Trees Grove (PCO Naomi Hudetz)
Overview
The Redwood Creek Trail is an out-and-back hike that may be carried out as both a day journey or an in a single day backpacking tour. The scenic spotlight of the stroll is the Tall Trees Grove, a exceptional assortment of historical redwoods that was famously featured in National Geographic in 1963. The widespread consideration created by the article helped the world to ultimately be designated a National Park in 1968.
I hiked the Redwood Creek Trail in mid-September 2021, as a part of a collection of brief walks within the Redwoods area (together with the James Irvine and Miner’s Ridge Loop, the Boy Scout Trail in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, and a combo of the Prairie Creek, Brown Creek, Foothill Trail & Rhododendron Trails). I used to be joined on the journey by good buddies Mike Unger, Naomi Hudetz, and Whitney “Allgood” LaRuffa.
At a Glance
Distance: 25.4 km (15.8 mi)
Average Duration: 1 or 2 days
Difficulty Level: Easy
Start/Finish: Redwood Creek Trailhead Parking (41.2992260, -124.0337130)
Mike Unger leaving the Redwood Creek Trailhead Car Park. Mike is one in all solely a handful of double triple crowners, and over the previous fifteen years has logged virtually 30,000 miles on America’s long-distance trails. I had the great fortune of assembly him and his spouse Naomi (see subsequent photograph) whereas climbing the CDT in 2012.
Getting There & Away:
- To entry the Redwood Creek Trailhead, take HWY 101 north from the tiny city of Orick. After simply over a mile, head east on Bald Hills Road for an additional 0.4 miles to a signed junction. Turn proper, and take this paved street for an additional 0.5 miles to the trailhead parking space (Facilities – restrooms, trash cans, and path register).
Season:
- All-year-round. June to September provides one of the best probability of sunny climate. The remainder of the yr is cooler and wetter, however on the flip facet is much less crowded and permits are often not a difficulty. Tip: Try to keep away from weekends and college holidays. Late spring and early fall provide an ideal steadiness between typically clear circumstances, delicate temps, and comparatively few folks on the path.
Naomi Hudetz – co-founder of Treeline Review, and serial long-distance (and brief and medium distance as properly!) hiker together with the triple crown, GDT, GET, PNT, the Oregon Desert Trail, and the Idaho Centennial Trail.
Planning Information
- Permits: If you’re doing the hike in at some point, you’ll want a allow for the Tall Trees Grove. If you propose to camp on the Redwood Creek gravel bar (see Sleeping beneath) you’ll additionally require a backcountry allow from the Redwood National and State Parks web site. Both permits should be organized upfront.
- GPX Data: Redwood Creek Trail – Alltrails, GaiaGPS
Whitney “Allgood” LaRuffa – long-serving ex-president of ALDHA West, AT/CDT thru-hiker, and pioneer of the Chinook and Blue Mountains Trails. I met AG at Trout Lake, WA, whereas climbing the PCT in 2012, and we’ve been good mates ever since.
Trail Notes:
- Character: The Redwood Creek Trail follows its namesake watercourse, passing via a lush riparian hall of hemlock, spruce, bigleaf maples, and, in fact, previous and second-growth redwoods. The path could be very properly maintained and marked; certainly, you’d must strive laborious with the intention to get misplaced on this one.
44 Creek Bridge
- Foot Traffic & Alternate Route: During our mid-September hike, we solely noticed a few different folks doing the entire Redwood Creek Trail. It appears that almost all people that go to the Tall Trees Grove, achieve this by way of the Tall Trees Access Road Trailhead. This various includes a four-mile (6.4 km) loop hike that features roughly 1,600 ft (487m) of elevation change.
- Landmarks (approx. distances from Trailhead Carpark): 1. Redwood Creek Crossing (1.6 mi/2.6 km); 2. Junction to Elan Camp (2.7 mi (4.4 km); 3. 44 Creek Bridge (6.7 mi/10.8 km); 4. Junction to 44 Camp (7.3 mi/11.7 km), and; 4. Beginning of Tall Trees Grove Loop (7.6 mi/12.2 km)
- Mother Nature’s Pantheon: The Redwoods was the ultimate vacation spot of my 2021 US journey. I couldn’t have wished for a extra memorable finale. These primordial behemoths have been recognized to reside as much as 3000 years, and will not be solely the world’s tallest timber but additionally the most important dwelling organisms on the planet. The Redwood area is a type of locations – just like the Grand Canyon, Iguazu Falls, or the Great Barrier Reef – the place irrespective of how a lot you’ll have heard beforehand, irrespective of what number of mind-blowing images you’ll have seen in books or on-line, the fact will all the time exceed your expectations. During the 4 days we spent climbing within the Redwoods, I’m positive I spent as a lot time gazing up in awe, as I did wanting on the path in entrance of me. Indeed, I can’t recall a spot that produces extra toe-stubbings and neck strains per mile than these historical coastal forests.
Tall Trees Grove
After roughly 7 miles (11.3 km) the path emerges from the forest onto the Redwood Creek gravel mattress. At this level head SSE and cross the watercourse – throughout the summer time there’s a seasonal footbridge – and re-enter the forest. You’re now within the Tall Trees Grove, which includes a 1.2 mile (1.9 km) neck-straining loop amongst a few of the most unimaginable redwoods in all the area. It was so extraordinary I did it twice – as soon as round sundown on day 1, and once more the next morning.
Sleeping
- Dispersed Camping: Redwood Creek is the one place within the Redwood National park the place “dispersed camping” is permitted. Backpackers can camp wherever alongside the gravel creekbed so long as it’s upstream of the primary creek crossing (1.6 mi/2.6 km from the trailhead), and no nearer than a quarter-mile (400 m) to the hike’s turnaround level on the Tall Trees Grove.
Camping by Redwood Creek.
(L to R) Naomi, Mike, and Allgood.
Reflections on Redwood Creek on the finish of Day 1.
Side Trip/Bonus Trek: Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail
Located lower than three miles (4.8 km) drive away from the Redwood Creek Trailhead is the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail. At just one.4 miles (2.3 km) in size, this stunning, gently-graded pathway is properly price an hour of your time both pre or post-hike. It is called after the previous first woman, who throughout her husband’s time in workplace, actively promoted the safety and creation of pure habitats. Here are some photos from the brief stroll:
Gear List – Redwoods (September 2021)
There are a handful of recent gadgets this time round, together with a canister range, the Lunar Solo shelter, the Montane Allez Micro Hoodie, and the Sony a6400 (18-135mm lens).
| ITEM | WT. (OZ) | SUB (oz) | SUB (kg) | COMMENTS |
| BACKPACK | ||||
| MLD Burn (38L/DCF) | 16 | Frameless backpack of selection for the reason that 2000s. A little bit heavier, with extra bells and whistles than the unique fashions, however the slim profile nonetheless matches me completely. Overall I’ve hiked greater than 20,000 miles carrying the Burn, and am now on my third mannequin. | ||
| Trash compactor bag (pack liner) | 2 | |||
| 18 | 0.5 | |||
| SHELTER | ||||
| Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo | 26 | Thumbs up. Light, simple to pitch, loads of house for one particular person, holds up properly in a storm. | ||
| 26 | 0.74 | |||
| SLEEPING SYSTEM | ||||
| Pad – Thermarest NeoAir XLite – Large (resized to only underneath 150cm/5ft) | 11.9 | Converted to broad mannequin a few years in the past – additional width has been price weight penalty/ Resizing reduce weight from 16 oz to only underneath 12 oz / Click right here fo long-term assessment of the small mannequin. | ||
| Quilt – Katabatic Alsek 22F | 23.1 | I’d typically go together with my artificial MLD quilt or the Katabatic Palisade 30F for the Redwoods. In this case, I had the Alsek with me as a result of that was what I used up in northern Alaska earlier in the summertime. | ||
| 35 | 1 | |||
| KITCHEN / H2O | ||||
| LokSak 20×12 (Food Bag) | 1.2 | Food storage bag of selection for the reason that 2000s. I typically hear folks complain concerning the seals breaking shortly, however I’ve all the time discovered them to be pretty sturdy (4 to six weeks of every day use) in case you don’t overfill them. | ||
| Toaks 700ml Titanium Pot | 3.1 | |||
| SOTO Windmaster | 3.4 | After all these years I lastly purchased a canister range. My climbing companions – AG, Mike & Naomi – all really helpful the SOTO, and after utilizing it for a month or so, I’d must concur. Super fast, gentle, and environment friendly. A keeper. | ||
| Toaks Titanium Long Handled Spoon | 0.7 | Top-end wrapped in orange tape so I gained’t lose it. | ||
| Reconstituted sports activities drink bottles (2) | 2.4 | |||
| 10.8 | 0.31 | |||
| FIRST AID / HYGIENE | ||||
| Sunscreen (repackaged in tiny bottle) | ||||
| Hand Sanitizer (repackaged in a dropper bottle) | I haven’t had a case of the backcountry trots since 1999 – I believe an enormous cause is the diligent use of hand sanitizer. | |||
| Aquamira (repackaged in dropper bottles) | ||||
| Toothbrush | ||||
| Toothpaste (mini tube) | ||||
| Dental Floss | Doubles as stitching thread | |||
| Antiseptic Wipes (2) | Clean cuts and wounds | |||
| Gauze | ||||
| Triple Antibiotic Cream (tiny tube) | ||||
| 3M Micropore Medical Tape | Breathable, paper tape / Adheres properly. | |||
| Ibuprofen | ||||
| Toilet Paper | ||||
| Sewing Needle | One-armed blind people can sew higher than me. | |||
| Tenacious Tape, Mini Tube Super Glue (repairs) | To compensate for lack of stitching expertise | |||
| Lip Balm SPF 30 | Kept with sunscreen & hand sanitizer in shoulder pocket. | |||
| 4 | 0.11 | |||
| CLOTHES | ||||
| Rain Pants – Montbell Versalite (Lge) | 3.6 | Lightweight, quick-drying, and a stunning quantity of heat for one thing that weighs lower than 4oz / Not tremendous sturdy, however wonderful for on-trail climbing. | ||
| Rain Jacket – Montbell Versalite (Lge) | 7 | After the Peak Dry Shell, my favourite Montbell rain jacket. | ||
| Insulation – Montane Allez Micro Hoodie (Lge) | 6.7 | Can’t say sufficient about this hoodie. Made from Polartec Power Grid, I wore it every day throughout my month up in Denali and Gates of the Arctic. Found it to be an excellent insulation layer for chilly/moist temps between low 30s to low 50s F (0°C-12°C). | ||
| Extra Socks – Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew | 2.6 | |||
| Dirty Girl Gaiters | 1.3 | |||
| Montbell Chameece Gloves | 0.9 | All-time favourite liner gloves. Very sturdy – I’ve had the identical pair since 2016. | ||
| 22.1 | 0.63 | |||
| MISCELLANEOUS | ||||
| Camera – Sony a6400 (18-135mm lens) | 27.2 | After (too) many hours of analysis, I lastly took the plunge and purchased a flowery(ish) digicam. Still heaps to be taught concerning optimum settings. | ||
| Camera Case – MegaGear Neoprene | 2.2 | |||
| Phone – iPhone 11 | 7.1 | |||
| Otter Symmetry case for iPhone 11 (orange) | 1.3 | |||
| Trekking Pole – Montbell Alpine Carbon Pole Cam Lock | 7.1 | I put this flip-lock pole via the wringer up within the tussocks and river crossings of Denali & Gates of the Arctic. Double thumbs up. | ||
| Small DCF stuff sack – Hyperlite Mountain Gear (2) | 0.6 | Ditty bag / First Aid / Toiletries | ||
| Six Moon Designs Pack Pod | 1 | Multi-use. At night time fill it with additional garments and use it as a pillow. | ||
| Headlamp – Nitecore NU25 | 1.8 | Excellent rechargeable headlamp. Most of the time I have a tendency to make use of the low purple setting to protect night time imaginative and prescient. | ||
| Swiss Army Classic | 0.7 | |||
| Small LokSaks for Valuables (2) | 1 | Protection for cellphone, passport, and many others. | ||
| Potty Trowel – Deuce of Spades | 0.6 | |||
| 50.7 | 1.43 | |||
| BASE WEIGHT | TOTAL | 10.5 lb | 4.8 kg | |
| ITEMS WORN | ||||
| Shorts – Patagonia Baggies 7″ | 6.7 | Hiking shorts of selection since 2015/16. Click right here for my long-term assessment. | ||
| Base layer – Montbell Merino Long Sleeve Zip Neck | 7.6 | I’ve used this merino wool base layer (160g/m2) since 2016 for many of my hikes in chilly/moist circumstances (e.g. Tasmania, Scotland, New Zealand) / Not too thick/not too skinny, hotter than artificial equivalents when damp. | ||
| REI Merino Wool Liner socks | 1.6 | Still my favorite Merino liners after greater than a decade / Cheaper and extra sturdy than the massive sock corporations (Note: Though not as sturdy because the pre-2013 fashions) | ||
| Hat – Baseball cap | 2.8 | |||
| Shoes – Brooks Cascadia 15 (measurement 12) | 24.2 | After utilizing the La Sportiva Ultra Raptors up in Alaska, I switched again to the Cascadias for the PNW. Been an everyday consumer of the Cascadias for the reason that third version. See right here for long-term assessment. | ||
| Watch – Suunto Ambit3 | 3 | Picked up final yr on particular. User-friendly, rechargeable battery, GPS, and altimeter (when calibrated) very correct. That mentioned, I have a tendency to go away the GPS off so the battery sometimes lasts a couple of weeks earlier than needing to be recharged. | ||
| Sunglasses | 0.8 | UVA/UVB safety | ||
| 46.7 | 1.3 | |||
| TOTAL WEIGHT | 13.2 lb | 6 kg | ||
The window of time between if you let the air out of your mat, and if you (considerably reluctantly) depart the heat of your quilt (PCO Whitney “Allgood” LaRuffa)
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