Click on photos for larger images. Sometimes you have to refresh the page to re-activate this feature. Hide Slide Show (you will have to refresh the page to see it again)

Redwood National Park, CA

Aug 20 - Aug 27, 2022 -- $1450 ★


Description

Only 3% of the Redwoods that originally blanketed the Pacific Coast still stand. Come walk through time in beautiful Redwood National Park where many of the few remaining old growth coastal redwoods are still preserved from being cut down and turned into decks and picnic tables. You will walk through groves of leviathan trees that are centuries or even millennia old and can grow more than 350' tall.


Our trip will begin in Redwood National Park and morphs into various hikes within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. You will almost certainly see herds of regal Roosevelt Elk, catch glimpses of whales from scenic outlooks high above the pacific, maybe view a black bear or perhaps a sea otter or even the rare and endangered marbled murrelet. If you've never been to the Pacific Coast or seen a Redwood Tree, this is the trip for you.


Our journey will begin in Redwood National Park where we'll see the Ladybird Johnson grove of preserved redwoods and later, the Tall Trees Grove whose gargantuan occupants -- trees over 300' tall -- will leave you speechless. We'll base-camp in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park where you are almost certain to see some majestic Roosevelt Elk. And then you can even get a shower to wash off the excitement. We spend the rest of the trip in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and along the Ocean, on the beach, and among old growth redwoods. You are encouraged to visit Fern Canyon on your own (we allot time for this). Fern Canyon is a lush, high-walled primieval canyon where some scenes in Jurassic Park were filmed.



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Expect daytime hiking temperatures in the 60s and 70s and nighttime temperatures in the 40s & 50s. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures as high as 80 and as low as 30 or several days of rain. Here is the historical weather. On the July 2009 trip, the weather was so mild and clear, we were able to sleep out under the stars almost every night, but of course you never know what's in store.



Probable Trip Leaders

Maxie Johnson


Cost

$1450 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another participant during the 2 hotel nights. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Arcata (ACV), personal equipment, restaurant meals eaten off the trail and any gratuities for guides.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, campground fees, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation, National Park Permits and 2 awesome guides.


Tipping: In order to keep our prices competitive with (and hopefully favorable to) other outfitters, we shamefully can’t pay our guides as much as we think they deserve. Like most other guiding services, we rely on the generosity of our participants to make up this shortfall by tipping the guides. While tips are not required or expected, if your guides have served you well, please consider a gratuity so they can continue living their extravagant lifestyles of eating powdered meals, sleeping in the dirt and pooping in smelly outhouses and small holes they've dug.



Notes

The trails through Redwood National Park are well groomed with good footing and moderate elevation gain and loss (although it may not always seem like that while hiking). However the 13.7 mile day may seem very difficult. Plus, some hikes traverse the beach which is flat, but sand can retard progress. The upside is that you get stronger as you hike and that continually changing incredible scenery will keep you engaged.


Back to top

 

Packing List
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
Packing List
Sign up Now!

Itinerary


Saturday, August 20, 2022

Fly, bus or drive into Arcata, CA (ACV). We will pick you up at the airport when you arrive. Some time between Noon - 3PM is the ideal time to arrive, but if you can save a substantial amount on trip costs by arriving a few hours earlier or later, you should do that.

Note: Flights to Arcata can be expensive. There are usually at least a few people who drive up from San Francisco (4+ hours) so we might be able to arrange a carpool if you decide to do this.

We will pick you up and take you to our local hotel Travelodge by Wyndham Eureka, 4 4th Street, Eureka, CA, 95501, (707) 572-5021

Equipment shakedown. We go through your pack and examine everything you brought.

Trip to Arcata for last minute forgotten items. Possible destinations:

Make Your Own Trail Mix bar from our luscious ingredients

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Go out for dinner at a local restaurant (Dinner cost not included in trip price)



Sunday, August 21, 2022

"Before" measurements taken again

Free breakfast in Hotel or guides will prepare a continental breakfast

If you drive, you may be able to leave your vehicle at the Hotel. If so, there may be a charge and the hotel assumes no responsibility for it and will have you sign a document saying so.

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and placed in storage

Shuttle to the Redwood National Park ranger station in Orick, CA

Take about 30 minutes to pick up backcountry permit for the Tall Trees Grove at the ranger station. We will also be given the gate code to the Tall Trees.

Shuttle to the Ten Taypo Trail on Newton Drury Boulevard

Hike 3.8 miles on the Ten Taypo Trail

Shuttle to Elk Prairie Campground in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Set up camp at Elk Prairie, elevation 100'

Camp at Elk Prairie frontcountry campground site 19 complete with ranger station, ranger talks, and bathhouse with running water and coin-op showers.

Miles today: 3.8 miles. Total to Date: 3.8 Miles


Monday, August 22, 2022

You will be crossing Redwood Creek several times today so be mentally prepared for this. There are no bridges and knee high water, so make sure have sturdy water shoes and trekking poles.

Shuttle to the Tall Trees Grove on Bald Hills Rd., elevation 250'

Start hiking and quickly turn left on the Emerald Ridge Trail

Hike about 0.6 miles to the Dolasson Prairie Trail, elevation 150'

Turn right to continue on the Emerald Ridge Trail for about 0.4 miles to Redwood Creek, elevation 50'

Hike 1.0 miles down Redwood Creek to the Tall Trees Grove. Wear your sturdy water shoes to cross Redwood Creek several times. This will take much longer than you think it takes to walk a mile.

There are 2 entrances to the Tall Trees Grove from Redwood Creek. They are both denoted by orange markers 10-20' above the ground. There may be a foot bridge at 2nd entrance (they are constructed seasonally and are typically installed in June)

Day-hike 1.0 mile around the Tall Trees Grove loop, craning your neck up almost continuously. Elevation 50'

Day-hike 1.0 mile uphill to the parking lot, elevation 250'.

Shuttle to Ladybird Johnson Grove on Bald Hills Rd.

Hike 1.0 miles through the Ladybird Johnson Grove

Shuttle back to to Elk Prairie Campground.

Camp at Elk Prairie frontcountry campground site 19 complete with ranger station, ranger talks, and bathhouse with running water and coin-op showers.

Mileage Today: 5.0. Total mileage: 8.8

Possible bailout: Bald Hills Rd.


Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Day-Hike 14.8 miles on the Rhododendron Trail to the CREA trail and back via the Prairie Creek Trail, max elevation 800'

Shorter day hiking loops available

Camp at Elk Prairie frontcountry campground site 19 complete with ranger station, ranger talks, and bathhouse with running water and coin-op showers.

Mileage Today: 14.8. Total mileage: 23.6

Possible bailout: Elk Prairie Campground


Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Pack up everything in anticipation of moving to a different campground tonight

Shuttle to the Ten Taypo Trailhead on Newton Drury Boulevard, elevation 800'

Start hiking across the street on the Ossagon Trail for 1.8 downhill miles to the Pacific Coast, elevation Sea Level.

Hike 1.8 Northbound miles along the California Coastal Trail / Pacific Coast to the Carruthers Cove Trail, elevation Sea Level

Hike 0.8 uphill miles on the Carruthers Cove Trail to Coastal Drive, elevation 600'

Hike about 1.0 road miles on Coastal Drive to Newton Drury Boulevard, elevation 800'

Hike about 0.5 road miles on Newton Drury Boulevard to the Ah Pah Interpretive Trail, elevation 800'

Hike 0.8 round trip miles on the Ah Pah Interpretive Trail, elevation 800'

Hike about 1.0 road miles on Newton Drury Boulevard back to the Ten Taypo Trail, elevation 800'

Shuttle to Gold Bluffs campground, site 7, elevation Sea Level

Camp at Gold Bluffs frontcountry campground site 7. Has flush toilets and potable water.

7.7 miles today. Total to Date: 31.3

Bailout: Newton Drury Boulevard


Thursday, August 25, 2022

Fern Canyon is closed to commercial outfitters. However, it's a worthwhile destination, so in the morning you are welcome to explore this incredible area on your own. You can day-hike the 3.0 mile roundtrip in a few hours

Hike 2.0 miles on the Miner's Ridge Trail to the Clintonia Trail

Hike 1.4 miles on the Clintonia Trail to the James Irvine Trail

Hike 1.8 miles on the James Irvine Trail to the Coastal Trail.

Hike 2.0 miles on the Coastal Trail back to Gold Bluffs.

Return to Gold Bluffs site 7, elevation Sea Level

Mileage Today: 7.2. Total mileage: 38.5

Possible bailout: Gold Bluffs Campground


Friday, August 26, 2022

Break Camp and shuttle to the Trillium Falls Trail near Elk Meadow

Day-Hike a 2.3 mile loop on the Trillium Falls Trail

End of hiking

Mileage Today: 2.3. Total mileage: 40.8

Possible bailout: US-101.

Check into local hotel Lady Anne Victorian Inn, 902 14th Street, Arcata, CA 95521, (707) 822 2797 or 616 5178

"After" body composition measurements taken

Dinner and awards Ceremony (Dinner cost not included in trip price)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Saturday, August 27, 2022

A light, continental breakfast is served at 8:30 in the dining room or guests can enjoy their breakfast in one of the outdoor dining areas.

Airport Drop


Back to top