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Redwood National Park

Thursday, June 25, 2026 - Thursday, July 2, 2026 -- $1900 ★



Description

Only 3% of the original redwoods that once blanketed the Pacific Coast still remain. This trip takes you deep into the heart of Redwood National Park, where you'll walk among ancient giants that have stood for centuries some even millennia. Towering over 350 feet tall, these majestic trees inspire awe, reverence, and a powerful connection to the natural world.


Over a week, you'll explore Redwood National Park and transition into a variety of trails within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Along the way, you may encounter Roosevelt elk grazing in open meadows, whales breaching offshore, black bears wandering the understory, or even catch a glimpse of the elusive marbled murrelet, an endangered seabird that nests high in the old-growth canopy.


The journey begins in Redwood National Park with visits to the Lady Bird Johnson Grove and the iconic Tall Trees Grove home to some of the tallest trees on Earth. From there, you'll base camp in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, where you'll enjoy peaceful evenings, warm showers, and easy access to nearby trailheads. Daily hikes will take you through mossy forests, along coastal bluffs, and onto remote beaches where you can breathe in the crisp Pacific air.


If you choose, you can also visit Fern Canyon on your own—an unforgettable hike through a high-walled, fern-covered gorge featured in Jurassic Park. Whether you’ve never seen the Pacific Coast or a redwood tree in person, or you’re returning to experience their quiet power once again, this trip offers a rare opportunity to connect with one of the most unique and humbling ecosystems on Earth.



Topographical Map of Proposed Route

See Topo map


Weather

Weather is always an important consideration when hiking in the redwoods. You can generally expect daytime temperatures in the 60s and 70s, with cooler nights dipping into the 40s and 50s. However, the coastal climate is highly variable, so it’s important to be prepared for anything. Daytime highs can occasionally reach the low 80s, while rare cold snaps can bring morning lows near 30°F.


Rain is always a possibility even during drier months so bring reliable rain gear and be ready for a few wet days just in case. On our July 2009 trip, conditions were so mild and clear that we slept out under the stars almost every night. While that kind of weather is a gift, there's no guarantee, so pack with flexibility in mind.



Probable Trip Leaders

Beau Devlin
Any Other Guide(s) TBD

Cost

$1900 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. With single room accommodations are available for purchase. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from San Francisco (SFO) as well as personal equipment, restaurant meals and any gratuities for guides. You may also be charged for any parking charges for leaving your car at the hotel all week if you drive.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, storage fees, 6 days of trail meals, airport transfers, ground transportation to/from/within the National Park, park permits, park entrance fees and 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. Gratuity can comprise a significant and important part of a guide’s compensation. The industry recommended gratuity amount is 10-20% of the trip cost. Gratuities are always optional and based on level of satisfaction but generally account for 30-60% of their income through gratuities. Fitpacking supports tipping to the greatest extent possible while remaining tactful and professional. Guides are not permitted to solicit tips in any way other than doing an exceptional job supporting and providing exceptional customer service to our participants. If your guides have served you well, please support them with gratuities 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.



Important Note about this trip

The trails throughout Redwood National Park are generally well-maintained with solid footing and moderate elevation changes. While the terrain is considered manageable, don’t be surprised if some days feel more challenging than expected especially the day that includes a 13.7-mile hike, which many participants find to be the most demanding.


In addition, several hikes take place on the beach. While these sections are mostly flat, walking on sand can slow your pace and increase effort.


The good news? As the trip progresses, you’ll get stronger and more comfortable with the daily rhythm of hiking. And the ever-changing, awe-inspiring scenery, towering redwoods, coastal cliffs, and wildlife-rich meadows will keep your mind and spirit fully engaged.


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

Itinerary


Thursday, June 25, 2026

Fly or drive into San Francisco, CA (SFO) Please plan to arrive by 3PM if you can.

We will assemble at: TBD, To Be Determined

Equipment shakedown. We go through your packs to make sure you're prepared for the trip equipment-wise.

Trip to REI San Carlos, 1119 Industrial Rd, Ste 1B, San Carlos, CA 94070, (650) 508-2330 for last minute forgotten items

Make-your-own trail mix bar. You craft your personal trail mix from a cornucopia of nuts, fruits, sweets and occasional wildcard items that we provide.

Shuttle to Arcata (5 hours)

Go out to welcome dinner at local restaurant. Cost of dinner not included in trip cost.

Stay in local hotel: TBD, To Be Determined


Friday, June 26, 2026

Free breakfast in Hotel

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

Shuttle to Redwood National Park (5 hours or so)

Shuttle to campground and set up camp, site(s) TBD

Shuttle to the Ten Taypo Trail on Newton Drury Boulevard

Hike 3.8 miles on the Ten Taypo Trail

Mileage Today: 3.8. Total mileage: 3.8

Camp at frontcountry campground: TBD complete with ranger station, ranger talks, and bathhouse with running water and coin-op showers.


Saturday, June 27, 2026

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 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 then be given the gate code to the Tall Trees.

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 Campground.

Camp at frontcountry campground TBD.

Mileage Today: 5.0. Total mileage: 8.8

Possible bailout: Bald Hills Road


Sunday, June 28, 2026

Shuttle to Elk Prairie Frontcountry campground if we are not already there

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 frontcountry campground sites TBD.

Mileage Today: 14.8. Total mileage: 23.6

Possible bailout: Elk Prairie Campground


Monday, June 29, 2026

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 Beach campground, elevation Sea Level

Gold Bluffs frontcountry campground has flush toilets and potable water.

Camp at Gold Bluffs frontcountry campground site(s) TBD.

Mileage Today: 7.7. Total mileage: 31.3

Possible bailout: Newton Drury Boulevard


Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Fern Canyon is closed to commercial outfitters. However, it's a worthwhile destination, so you are encouraged 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(s) TBD, elevation Sea Level

Mileage Today: 7.2. Total mileage: 38.5

Possible bailout: Gold Bluffs Campground


Wednesday, July 1, 2026

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

Shuttle back to San Francisco, CA

Shuttle back to local hotel: TBD, To Be Determined

Gather your off-trail items from storage

Farewell dinner at a local restaurant (Dinner cost not included in trip price)

Stay in our local hotel (included in trip cost)

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.


Thursday, July 2, 2026

Free Breakfast in hotel

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


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