3.5 - State Trails |
3.5.1.1 Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Numerous hiking trails exist within this park including the Revelation Trail, a 0.2 mile loop trail created for persons who are blind. Approximately 55 miles of scenic trails run through a prairie, virgin redwood groves, along small streams, coastal bluffs, and beaches, and past the lush walls of Fern Canyon. Trails longer than one mile include:
Table 3.1 - PRAIRIE CREEK STATE PARK TRAILS
It should be noted that many loop route possibilities exist creating potentials for extended hiking trips. Two campgrounds exist specifically for bicyclists and backpackers.
3.5.1.2 Patrick's Point State Park
This park is a tree and meadow covered headland with a broad sandy beach which extends from the north park boundary. The two mile long Rim Trail is the longest park trail which affords good views of the ocean and offshore rocks.
3.5.1.3 Humboldt Redwoods State Park
There are approximately 51 miles of developed equestrian and hiking trails in this park. There are many other opportunities for hiking and horseback riding both in and outside of park redwood groves. Trails longer than one mile are shown in the following table.
Table 3.2 - HUMBOLDT REDWOODS STATE PARK TRAILS
As with Prairie Creek State Park, extended hikes are possible by traveling from one trail to another. Humboldt Redwoods is unique among other state parks within Humboldt County in that a group horse camp and riding trail has been developed at Cuneo Creek.
3.5.1.4 Richardson Grove State Park
This park has several trails ranging from short, gentle, self guided nature walks to more ambitious trails that climb nearby ridges and reach scenic vantage points. The Lookout Point Trail (1.3 mile loop), Woodland Trail (1.6 mile loop), and the Toumey Trail (1.9 miles) are the longest routes within the park.
3.5.1.5 Other State Park Trails
In addition to the state park trails discussed, additional trails under one mile in length exist in Grizzley Crook Redwoods State Park and Benbow Lake State Recreation Area.
3.5.2.1 California Coastal Hiking-Equestrian Corridor (Trail #60)
As called out in the California Recreational Trails Plan, this corridor runs "from Oregon to Mexico within the sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean." within Humboldt County, lengthy portions of this trail could soon be developed on those public lands under Federal, State, County, and Municipal ownership.
3.5.2.2 Trinity Mountain Hiking-Equestrian Corridor (Trail #61)
Also proposed In the California Recreational Trails Plan, this corridor starts from the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and, within Humboldt County, passes through Six Rivers National Forest, through Humboldt Redwoods State Park southward to the North Coast Corridor located in Mendocino-Sonoma Counties. TWO Regional Trail Corridors are proposed in this plan which would link the Trinity Mountain Corridor with the coastal corridor (Ref. 3.3).
Map 3. 1 - 1978 PROPOSED CALIFORNIA RIDING AND HIKING CORRIDORS
3.5.2.3 California Coastal Bicycle corridor (Trail #62)
This State Recreational Trails Plan Corridor follows the established Highway 101 Bicycle Route (see 3.5.3.1). However, within Humboldt County, there are opportunities to develop alternate route sections an abandoned roads. Two specific sections are listed below:
3.5.3.1 Highway 101 Bicycle Route (Trail #63)
This well used route running the length of the County serves the local needs of County residents as well as providing a scenic recreational touring route (Ref. 3.5.2.3).
3.5.3.2 Highway 254 - Avenue of the Giants (Trail #64)
Route provides a scenic alternate to Highway 101 from Pepperwood to Phillipsville. A special bicycle camp has been established at Humboldt Redwoods State Park near Weot.
3.5.3.3 Highway 255 - Samoa Bridge (Trail #65)
Route provides bicyclist access between Eureka and the Samoa Penninsula on Sunday only.
3.5.4.1 Highway 299
Although 299 is restrictive for bicycle use due to terrain and road conditions, two specific bikeway sections are suggested for designation.
3.5.4.2 Highway 255 - Samoa Blvd. Bikeway (Trail #68)
From Arcata, follow Samoa Blvd. to the Samoa Bridge (Sundays only) or continue to roads end at the Coast Guard Station.
3.5.4.3 Highway 36 (Trail #69)
From Highway 101 at Alton to Bridgeville. This route passes by County and State Parks which receive considerable recreational use during summer months.
