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Redwood National Park

Tuesday, July 16, 2024 - Tuesday, July 23, 2024 -- $1700 ★



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 and new for 2024, Jedediah Smith 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 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 close-up (but don't get too close). You can even get a shower to wash off the excitement. We spend the rest of the trip in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and hike along the Pacific 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, not-to-be-missed primieval canyon where some scenes in Jurassic Park were filmed.



Topographical Map of Proposed Route

See CalTopo map


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 in the 80s and as low as 30 or possibly 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

Guide(s) TBD

Difficulty


The trails through Redwood National & State Parks 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.



Cost

$1700 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Eureka-Arcata Airport (ACV), as well as personal equipment, restaurant meals and any gratuities for guides. You may also be assessed parking charges if you leave your car at the hotel all week. Shuttling to the park may also be an option


Covered expenses include 1 hotel night, 6 nights in front country campgrounds, 6 days of trail meals, airport ground transportation, ground transport to/from McKinleyville, CA, National Park permits and excellent 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


It may be possible to fly into and out of San Francisco and drive up with another participant we pair you with. San Francisco flights are far more frequent and less expensive, but obviously much more of a hassle to get to the park.


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Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
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Itinerary


Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Fly, bus or drive into Arcata, CA (ACV). We will pick you up at the airport when you arrive. Some time between 10AM - 2PM is the ideal time to arrive, but flights may be infrequent so if you can save a substantial amount on trip costs by arriving a few hours earlier, you should do that. If you need to arrive later, contact us before booking such a flight.

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'll pick you up at the airport and shuttle you to a local hotel to gather the group

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. You may also be able to drive it to the campsite at no charge and have it nearby all week.

We will assemble at: TBD, To Be Determined

Mini-equipment shakedown, following up your virtual shakedown done prior to the trip

Make-Your-Own Trail mix bar

"Before" body composition measurements taken

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

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

At around 3PM, shuttle to campsite: TBD, To Be Determined Site(s) TBD

Guides prepare dinner in camp. On some trips with longer shuttle times, we may opt to go out for an opening dinner at a local restaurant. (Cost of restaurant dinner not included in trip price)

Camp at TBD, To Be Determined Site(s) TBD


Wednesday, July 17, 2024

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 800'

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 800'.

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: 5.0

Possible bailout: Bald Hills Rd.


Thursday, July 18, 2024

Shuttle to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

Hike 1.5 miles on the newly constructed (2022) Grove of the Titans elevation 815'

Shuttle to the Simpson-Reed Trailhead

Hike 0.9 miles on the Simpson-Reed Loop Trail, elevation 150'

Shuttle to the Leiffer/Ellsworth Trailhead

Hike about 1.9 miles on the Leiffer Loop Trail and Ellsworth Loop Trail, elevation 200'

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: 4.3. Total mileage: 9.3

Possible bailout: Elk Prairie Campground


Friday, July 19, 2024

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: 24.1

Possible bailout: Elk Prairie Campground


Saturday, July 20, 2024

Hike the 2.7 mile loop around Elk Prairie

Pack up everything and move to Gold Bluffs Campground, site(s) TBD

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

Return to Gold Bluffs site TBD, elevation Sea Level

Mileage Today: 5.7. Total mileage: 29.8

Possible bailout: Gold Bluffs Campground


Sunday, July 21, 2024

Shuttle to the Ten Taypo Trail on Newton Drury Boulevard

Hike 3.5 miles on the Ten Taypo Trail

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(s) TBD. Has flush toilets and potable water.

11.2 miles today. Total to Date: 41.0

Bailout: Newton Drury Boulevard


Monday, July 22, 2024

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: 43.3

Possible bailout: US-101

Shuttle back to local hotel: TBD, To Be Determined

Gather your off-trail items from storage

After body composition measurements taken

Dinner and awards ceremony at a local restaurant (Dinner cost not included in trip price)

Stay in our local hotel (included in trip cost)

Gather your off-trail items from storage

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.


Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Take free airport shuttle or we will drop you off or pay for a shared cab/Uber


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