Humboldt Redwoods state park

[mattwisconsin]

Hey guys,

Not sure where to post this exactly, but I am flying out to Humboldt Redwoods state park saturday and camping for a week.

Anyone have any recommendation of specific trails or trees to look at? I know for sure I want to check out the Dyerville giant and a few other groves, but I'd rather have a heads up of the best spots to go to see giants.

Thanks!
Matt

 

[mdvaden]

Are you flying into Arcata airport? I'd say put Prairie Creek redwoods about one hour north at the top of your list for an extra bonus. Will you be camping in the actual state park itself? One suggestion will have to be sent into your PM box.

At redwoodhikes.com the guy comments that Bull Creek Flats is a #3 on a scale of 1 to 5. But I rate it higher. He also rates Tall Trees Grove trail in Redwood National Park as a #3, and that one is at least a #4.

Link: Hiking Trail - Bull Creek Flats - 10 mile Loop

Put more emphasis on the positives he mentions. It is Quintessential Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Also, the "bumpy" Mattole Road he mentioned, had a lot of re-paving the past couple of years. It's pretty smooth going now.

BTW - start all your hiking as early as possible. Not only will it be more quiet, but you will get a lot more keepers for photos. You should try and get on trails by 7am to 8am at least once or twice.

Photo from Bull Creek Flats, but off trail a little bit.

 

[mattwisconsin]

Thanks for the tips, man. I'm actually camping at one of the conservation sites right on Bull Creek. It's funny you mention hiking early, because my goal for my entire trip is waking up extra early every day for that very reason.

 

[mattwisconsin]

By the way, I'm flying into SFO and staying there for a day and a half to check out the city, then driving up along the redwood hwy, coming back on hwy 1.

 

[mdvaden]

If at all possible, get up to Prairie Creek one of the days, even if it means getting up 5am in the morning. You can beat the tiny rush hour of Eureka and get there by 6:30am. Right as the fog might be breaking over the Elk Prairie. Prairie Creek is like the Gemstone of all the redwood parks. You could do parts of 2 to 4 of the best trails in one day.

 

[mdvaden]

Here's a 24 foot diameter redwood in Prairie Creek. Can't share the location of this redwood, but I can PM you where to find another 24 dbh redwood that's bigger than either Giant Tree in Humboldt redwoods or Big Tree in Prairie Creek: although, those are both huge too, and are quick to access and see.

 

[mdvaden]

An albino Coast Redwood in Humboldt Redwoods State Park near the Avenue of the Giants area. These are not known to exist north in Prairie Creek or Jedediah Smith redwoods state parks. Although some of the less than 60 known, are found farther to the south.

 

[mattwisconsin]

Thanks man, it's been a big help in planning my trip.

 

[treesandsurf]

Another cool spot is Patricks Point, it's just a few miles north of Arcata in Trinidad area, there's camping right on edge of the cliff overlooking the pacific. Close shot to Arcata, and easy to head north or south to check out redwoods. Also, call up That Tree Guy when you get into Eureka area, Dave's a local arborist great guy to talk story with, tell him JP told you to call him! Good luck!

jp

 

[mdvaden]

Something else came to mind.

Let's say you go to Prairie Creek redwoods for a full day, starting early. If you can get out of the park by 6pm, and drive north out of it to Hy. 101 on Drury Parkway, then Klamath is only like 5 minutes to the north. Barely any time at all.

There's a small bar there. Old school and smoky looking. Anyway, the guy who owns the place, "Little Jerry" used to work with Gerald Beranek (High Climbers and Timber Fallers).

The kitchen closes at 7pm sharp. So if you can get in there by say 6:30 or sooner, the burgers are pretty good. Didn't care for the Fish & Chips, but the Burgers seemed pretty nice and filling. Then you can scoot back south on 101. There's also a nice gas station in Klamath open to about midnight.

The bar is called the Country Club, and is right across the street from the Ravenwood Motel.

 

[Gerald_Beranek]

That's my neck of the woods.

 

[mattwisconsin]

Here's 1 pic of me standing next to my favorite tree of the trip. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. The crown was incredible. Thanks to Mario for the heads up on awesome locations in the parks. Trip report to come when I get back.

 

[mattwisconsin]

Self. Prairie Creek redwood by Matthew Siesco, on Flickr

 

[moss]

I just saw a photo on facebook, Treebeard is on the ground, Mario I seem to remember you posting a photo o fit standing.
-AJ

 

[mdvaden]

[ QUOTE ]
I just saw a photo on facebook, Treebeard is on the ground, Mario I seem to remember you posting a photo o fit standing.
-AJ


[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmmm ...

It's not coming to mind at the moment. I've posted here before one or two of Beranek, off-trail.

 

[moss]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I just saw a photo on facebook, Treebeard is on the ground, Mario I seem to remember you posting a photo o fit standing.
-AJ


[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmmm ...

It's not coming to mind at the moment. I've posted here before one or two of Beranek, off-trail.

[/ QUOTE ]

My misunderstanding, it's a redwood on private property, not one of the giants. Sorry for the derail.
-AJ

 

[tomthetreeman]

Whew!

 

[moss]

[ QUOTE ]
Whew!

[/ QUOTE ]

It was a nice tree, serious lean, butt snapped, started cracking, took a few hours to fail, estimated 600 or so years old, a teenager in redwood years. I think the owner is going to cut a cross-section to count the rings.
-AJ

 

[tomthetreeman]

Ha! It's 'young' enough to have solid heartwood!

-Tom

 

[mdvaden]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks man, it's been a big help in planning my trip.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just went to Prairie Creek myself, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods the past couple of days with my daughter. We hiked on about 4 trails altogether.

Also tried something different than my normal tree photo stuff, taking photos with her using the forest for a backdrop. Here's 1 of 11 images I just added to my redwood page ...

Redwood Information and Photos
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