Fly, bus or drive into San Francisco, CA (SFO). Make sure to arrive before Noon so we can leave for Arcata in a timely manner. If you need to arrive later, contact us before booking such a flight.

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

Shuttle to Arcata (5 hours)

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: Humboldt Redwoods State Park -- Hidden Springs, 17119 Avenue of the Giants, Weott, CA 95571, (707) 946-2263. Site(s): 027HS & 028HS

Shuttling will take about 4 hours

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 Humboldt Redwoods State Park -- Hidden Springs, 17119 Avenue of the Giants, Weott, CA 95571, (707) 946-2263. Site(s): 027HS & 028HS

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 to Gold Bluffs Campground.

Camp at Gold Bluffs frontcountry campground sites 6 & 10.

Mileage Today: 5.0. Total mileage: 5.0

Possible bailout: Bald Hills Rd.

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 Gold Bluffs frontcountry campground sites 6 & 10.

Mileage Today: 4.3. Total mileage: 9.3

Possible bailout: Gold Bluffs Campground

Shutte to Elk Prairie Frontcountry campground

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 Gold Bluffs frontcountry campground sites 6 & 10.

Mileage Today: 14.8. Total mileage: 24.1

Possible bailout: Elk Prairie Campground

Shutte to Elk Prairie Frontcountry campground

Hike the 2.7 mile loop around Elk Prairie

Shutte back to Gold Bluffs Frontcountry campground

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 sites 6 & 10, elevation Sea Level

Mileage Today: 5.7. Total mileage: 29.8

Possible bailout: Gold Bluffs Campground

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'

Camp at Gold Bluffs frontcountry campground sites 6 & 10. Has flush toilets and potable water.

11.2 miles today. Total to Date: 41.0

Bailout: Newton Drury Boulevard

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 San Francisco, CA

Shuttle back to local hotel: Bay Landing San Francisco Airport Hotel, 1550 Bayshore Hwy, Burlingame, CA, 94010, 650.259.9000.

Gather your off-trail items from storage

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)

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