“West 6 miles principally along a ridge brushy and timbered with Hemlock, Pine [Douglas fir] and Cedar [coast redwood]. Some of the Cedars was [sic] the noblest trees I had ever seen being 12 or 15 feet in diameter tall and straight and handsome. I encamped in a prairae [sic] with the Ocean in sight.”

Revisiting the Past

Parklands Today

Protect Yourself, Protect Your Parks

The “noblest trees” described by explorer Jedediah Smith and his clerk Harrison Rogers during their 1827-1828 California expedition would one day nearly vanish from the Redwood Creek valley. At the time, however, this forest was deemed almost impenetrable by the motley party of 18 mountain men and more than 250 pack animals. From Gans Prairie, they journeyed north through the mountainous, foggy, wet homeland of the Yurok and Chilula peoples who had lived along lower Redwood Creek for millennia.

Ultimately, the Smith expedition and the discov-ery of gold on the Trinity River in 1848 led to the invasion and settlement of the area by Americans in the 1850s. In the ensuing years, thousands of acres of ancient forests were cut to provide lum-ber for developing communities. But the discov-ery of the then tallest known tree in Tall Trees Grove in 1963 helped to save the remaining old-growth stands along Redwood Creek, culminat-ing in the creation of Redwood National Park by Congress in 1968.

Today, a journey along Redwood Creek chronicles dramatic change. Modern explorers will observe green, fertile hillsides—the early results of National Park Service restoration projects. Bull-dozers have removed logging roads, and redepos-ited tons of soil upslope where vegetation quickly recolonizes on its own accord.

Yet, a closer look reveals logging’s legacy: Second-growth forests have replaced ancient streamside redwoods. Extensive and intensive erosion into the creek has produced high gravel bars, while increased silt inhibits the survival of salmon eggs.

Still, Redwood Creek contains many areas of serene beauty. Visitors can explore narrow, steep-walled side streams, swim in clear pools, and camp along sun-baked gravel bars. Wildlife sight-ings may include black bear, Roosevelt elk, flocks of mergansers, diving ospreys, scurrying mink, or a family of otters. And the freedom to wander through magnificent groves of coast redwoods—“tall and straight and handsome”—should be enjoyed by everyone. Redwood Creek is a place to experience nature’s beauty, renew the spirit, and witness active efforts to speed the processes that will return the noble forest to the valley.

Before visiting Redwood Creek, please remember that the wild animals, plants, waterways, and other natural features, as well as certain weather condi-tions that occur here, can be dangerous:

• Redwood Creek is a powerful and dangerous river during high water flows. From October to May, check with a park ranger or inquire at any information center for the latest conditions.

• Mountain lions, black bears, Roosevelt elk, ticks, and poison oak are found along Redwood Creek. Please take proper precautions.

• Treat all water before consuming.

From the journal of Jedediah Smith while camped in Gans Prairie above Redwood Creek, May 19, 1828.

The following regulations and guidelines will help promote the continued restoration of Redwood Creek and ensure safe and enjoyable experiences for generations of explorers to come:

• Store food properly and pack-out all garbage—even food scraps.

• Bury human waste 100 feet from water in a hole 6–8 inches deep.

• Fires are restricted to established fire pits (except on Redwood Creek gravel bars).

• Camping is permitted on Redwood Creek gravel bars upstream of MacArthur Creek, and no closer than ¼-mile from Tall Trees Grove. A free permit is required, available from Kuchel Visitor Center.

Redwood National and State Parks Redwood National Park Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Exploring Redwood Creek

Tall Trees Trail Trailhead: 61/2 miles southeast of U.S. 101 on Bald Hills Road, then 61/2 miles south on the unpaved Tall Trees Ac-cess Road. Note: Tall Trees Access Road is accessible only via free permit from the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center, Crescent City Information Center, or Hiouchi Information Center. A maximum of 50 permits per day are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Distance: 31/2 miles, round-trip. Description: The hike descends steeply to an alluvial red-wood grove where the world’s tallest tree was identified in 1963. The loop trail through Tall Trees Grove features towering coast redwoods, stands of bigleaf maple, and California laurel. Camping: Dispersed camping is permitted on Redwood Creek gravel bars upstream of MacArthur Creek, and no closer than ¼-mile from Tall Trees Grove. A free camping permit is required, available from the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center near Orick, Calif.

Redwood Creek Trail Trailhead: 1/2 mile east of U.S. 101 on Bald Hills Road, follow signs to trailhead and parking area. Distance: 8 miles, one-way Description: Despite large-scale timber harvesting and road building in the 20th century, today this cool, wind-protected stream valley remains a riparian corridor and regenerating forest. Two bridges on the trail—11/2 miles from the Redwood Creek Trailhead, and at the junction with Tall Trees Trail—are only in place during summer, usually June–September. Camping: Dispersed camping is permitted on Redwood Creek gravel bars upstream of MacArthur Creek and no closer than ¼-mile from Tall Trees Grove. A free camp-ing permit is required, available only from the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center near Orick, Calif.

Orick Horse Trail Trailhead: Orick Rodeo Grounds (inquire at any infor-mation center for directions): A $5 self-pay parking fee required at trailhead. Distance: Varies—Four interconnecting loop trails provide several possible itineraries: Ridge Loop (7 miles), McArthur Creek Loop (14 miles), Elam Creek Loop (20 miles), and Forty-Four Creek Loop (32 miles). Description: The loops of the Orick Horse Trail offer several days’ worth of riding or backpacking, with views of the Pacific Ocean and Orick Valley as the trail ascends a ridge and then wanders through the redwood forest. Camping: At designated backcountry campsites only (free permit required, available from the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center): Elam Creek offers a corral, pic-nic tables, food lockers, toilets, and non-potable water (bring drinking water); no more than 12 stock animals permitted. 44-Camp (backpackers only; no water avail-able) offers picnic tables, food lockers, firepits, and toilet.

Dolason Prairie Trail Trailhead: 11 miles southeast of U.S. 101 on Bald Hills Road. Distance: 53/4 miles, one-way Description: Pass through wildflower-studded prairies, oak woodlands, and past a restored historic sheep-herding ranch before descending into an old-growth redwood forest known as the Emerald Mile flourishing in a deep gorge along Emerald Creek; connects to Emerald Ridge and Tall Trees Trails. Camping: None permitted

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High TideCheck the tide tables before walking on the beaches. Rising water can trap you against a cliff with no possibility of escape.

Private LandPrivate land occurs throughout the parks. Trespass across anduse of private land without owner consent is prohibited.

Heavy SurfThe pounding surf and ripcurrents are treacherous. Stay away from the water.

Steep CliffsCliffs are likely to crumble and slide. Climbing on them or walking near the edge invites catastrophe. Because of falling rocks, walking below cliffs is dangerous. Keep away!

Falling LimbsTree limbs can fall during high winds, especially in old-growth forests.

Lake

Tala

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Smith

River

Smith

River

Smith

Wilson

Creek

Cre

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Cre

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Cree

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Creek

StoneLag

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Creek

Creek

Redw

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Creek

Redwood

McA

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MayCreek

Prairie

Cre

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Wau

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ll

McG

arve

y

Klamath

River

Turwar

Hunt

er

River

South

Fork

Creek

Creek

Mill

Mill

Fork

Br

East

West

Lake Earl

DeadLake

False Klamath Cove

FreshwaterLagoon

BigLagoon

PACIFIC OCEAN

S M I T H R I V E RN AT I O N A L

R E C R E AT I O N A R E AS i x R i v e r s N a t i o n a l F o r e s t

S ISK IY

OUM

OUNTA INS

CO

AS

T

RA

NG

E

LAKE EARLSTATE

WILDLIFE AREA

JEDEDIAH SMITHREDWOODSSTATE PARK

DEL NORTECOAST REDWOODS

STATE PARK

PRAIRIECREEK

REDWOODSSTATE PARK

HUMBOLDTLAGOONSSTATE PARK

PATRICK’S POINTSTATE PARK

TRINIDAD STATE BEACH

Lake

Earl

Dri

ve

Low

erLake

Road

No

rthBank

Road

Co

astalTrai l

Co

astalTrail

Coastal Trail

Coa

stal

Trai

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DavisonRd

Patr

icks

Poin

tD

rive

BaldHills

Road

BaldH

i ll sRoad

LITTLERATTLESN

AKE

MO

UN

TAIN

GO

LDB

LUF

FS

HO

LTE

RR

IDG

E

Walker

EndertsB

ea

ch

Road

SouthFork

Road

Alder CampRd

Requa Rd

CoastalD

rive

New

ton

B. Dru

ryScenic

Pkwy

Red

wo

od

Hig

hway

Rd

Douglas Park Road

HowlandHill

PointSt. George

Hu

mb

old

tR

oad

CastleRock

WhalerIsland

Sister Rocks

OldDouglas

MemorialBridge site

Cal-Barrel Road

Tall TreesAccess RoadBy permit only

Childs HillPrairie

Lost Man Creek

Dolason Prairie Trail

World War II Radar Station

Yurok ReservationThe lands within one mile ofeach side of the Klamath River from the Pacific Ocean to 43 miles upstream compose the Yurok Reservation. Currently,only 10 percent of the landremains in Yurok ownership ortrust status.

Prairie CreekVisitor Center

ToWeitchpec

Battery PointLighthouse

Florence KellerCounty Park

RubyVan Deventer

County Park

Lake Earl StateWildlife AreaHeadquarters

Park HeadquartersInformation2nd and K Streets

Simpson-ReedGrove

Smith RiverNational Recreation Area

Visitor CenterGasquet Panther Flat

To Oregon Caves NM 63mi 101kmand Grants Pass 77mi 124km

Signal Peak2055ft626m

Gasquet Mountain2620ft799m

Craigs Creek Mountain2195ft669m

Canthook Mountain2719ft829m

Red Mountain4265ft1300m

South RedMountain

Pigeon Roost3257ft993m

Hiouchi

Requa

Klamath

Klamath Glen

Patrick Creek

Mill Creek

Pier

Vista Point

Crescent Beach

Crescent Beach Overlook

Klamath River Overlook

High Bluff Overlook

Wilson Creek

Overlook

Lagoon Creek

Enderts BeachNickel Creek

DeMartin

Flint Ridge

Yurok Loop

Redwood Hostel (HI)

Big Flat

HiouchiInformation Center

CRESCENT CITY

Grassy Flat

StoutGrove

Little Bald Hills

USFSboataccess

State ParksOffices

Mill Creekhorse trails

Visitor Center

To Eureka 21mi 33km

To Oregon 10mi 16km

Rodgers Peak2745ft837m

Schoolhouse Peak3097ft944m

2100ft640m

Orick

Trinidad

Ossagon Creek

Ah-Pah

Miners Ridge

Elk Prairie

Redwood Creek

Fern Canyon

Lady Bird JohnsonGrove

Orick HorseTrail

Redwood Creek TrailPermit required for overnight travel

RedwoodCreekOverlook

Stone Lagoon

Tall TreesGrove

Tall TreesTrail

Emerald Ridge Trail

LyonsRanch

ElamCreek Camp

44 Camp

Big Lagoon Beachand County Park

Gold Bluffs Beach

Big Tree Wayside

Thomas H. KuchelVisitor Center

Old

Mill

Road

Elk ValleyRoad

Elk

Valle

yRo

ad

Road

Redwood Highway

Picnic area

Boat access

Wheelchair-accessible

Fishing

Interpretive trail

Unpaved road

Redwood National and State Parksboundary

National parkland

State parkland

Campground

Primitive campsite

Trail

SchoolhousePrairie

Dolason Prairie Trail

Damnation Creek Trail

Kellogg Road

TOLOWA DUNESSTATE PARK

TOLOWA DUNESSTATE PARK

Washington Blvd

NorthcrestDr

Forty-FourCreek Loop

Elam Creek Loop

McArthurCreek Loop

RidgeLoop

seasonalbridge

seasonalbridge

Bond Creek

Hiking trail

Horse/Hiking trail

Highway

Paved road

Unpaved road

Picnic area

Wheelchair-accessible

Hiking trailhead

Horse trailhead

Designated backcountry campsite

This map is for general orientation purposes only. Trail maps and guides are available from cooperating association bookstores at all information centers.

Trails of Redwood Creek

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A™