Humboldt County Trails Plan
A Sub-Element of the General Plan
3.6.1 Redwood National Park
3.6.1.1 Existing Trails
- Redwood Creek Trail
- This 8.5 mile one way hiking trail leads to the Tall Trees Grove, site
of the world's tallest known tree. This trail would serve as a portion
of the proposed Redwood National Park to Six Rivers National Forest Regional
Trail Corridor (Ref. 3.4).
- Tall Tree Trail
- Starting on the Bald Hills Road C-Line, this one mile trail provides
day-use access to the Tall Trees Grove.
- Lady Bird Johnson Loop Trail
- This short one mile loop. nature trail begins at Said Hills Road and
goes through the Lady Bird Johnson Grove.
3.6.1.2 Proposed Trails
As this plan is being written, a General Management Plan is
being formulated for Redwood National Park. The issue of trails is being considered
and the final park plan may call for the development of new trails and campsites.
- Coastal Trail (Trail #60)
- A coastal hiking and equestrian trail has been proposed in the California
Recreational Trails Plan which would extend from Oregon to Mexico. A trail
should be designated along the coastline of Redwood National Park to conform
with the State goal. (Ref. 3.5.2.1)
- Lost Man Crook Trail
- This proposed 8 mile trail would start from Geneva Road and follow the
old road to Geneva-Halter ridge. Another one half mile loop interpretive
trail is proposed to originate at the same trailhead.
- Tall Trees Grove to Eastern Park (Trail #58)
- A trail in proposed in this plan which would extend from the Redwood
Crook trail to the eastern park boundary an part of the Redwood National
Park to Six Rivers National Forest Regional Trail corridor. From the park
boundary, continue to the trails area of North Trinity Summit in Six Rivers
National Forest (Ref. 3.4).
- Park Bicycle Trails
- Bicycle trails should be provided within the park so that visitors may.have
the option of viewing the redwoods in a leisurely manner not afforded
by the automobile. Bicycle paths should be provided along the proposed
Highway 101 park alternate route. Should the alternate route not be constructed,
bike paths along the existing highway would be particularly desirable.
3.6.2 Six Rivers National Forest
3.6.2.1 Existing Trails Within the National Forest
There are miles of trails in existance of varying continuity
and state of repair. Many trails, for lack of use and/or maintenance, are
no longer considered viable routes. Other trails have been converted to roads
or segmented by logging activities. However, many trails are used and maintained
which provide valuable trail opportunities for the backpacker or equestrian.
Those trails indicated on the Six Rivers Map (available at Six Rivers Offices)
are considered to be active. Some trails are short and somewhat isolated while
others form interconnecting trail networks. The most extensive trail network
is found in the area of Trinity Mountain (Elevation 6,093) and North Trinity
Mountain (Elevation 6,362) among the highest and most accessible peaks within
Humboldt County.
3.6.2.2 Proposed Trails
- Trinity Mountain Trail Corridor (Trail #57)
- This route proposed in the California Recreational Trails Plan (Ref.
3.5.2.2). The trail corridor
indicated is the route originally proposed as part of the California State
Riding and Hiking Trail as shown in the 1953 Humboldt County Trails Plan
(Ref, Map 1.3).
- Redwood National Park to Six Rivers National Forest Trail Corridor (Trail
#58)
- This Proposed Regional Trail would provide a trail link between the
National Park and National Forest trail system (Ref. 3.3).
Within the National Forest, the trail corridor would follow the approximate
route of Lookout Road until a North Trinity mountain trailhead is reached.
3.6.3 Kings Range National Conservation Area
Administered by the Bureau of Land Managment (BLM), the rugged
mountain and coastal terrain of the King Range offers a diversity of trail experiences.
The most noteworthy hiking trails are discussed below.
3.6.3.1 Existing Trails
- Kings Crest Trail
- Starting at the Bear Trap Ridge (Smith-Etter) Jeep Trail at North Slide
Peak, this trail follows the main ridge of the King Range past Kings Peak
ending at the Saddle mountain Jeep road. However, the main access to the
Crest Trail is via the Lightening Trail. The trailhead for this route
is located on the improved, light duty King Range Road.
- Chamise Mountain Trail
- Located near the Southern boundary of the Kings Range, this trial begins
at the Nodelos and Waila Campgrounds on the Bear Creek Road. The trail
leads to Manzanita Peak and to the coast. Work is currently underway to
expand the Chamise Mountain Trail network.
- Lost Coast Trail (Trail #60)
- Starting near the mouth of the Mattole River, this trail route follows
the coast along the beach, tidal flats, and coastal cliffs ending at Shelter
Cove. This enjoyable route is the most popular trail in the King Range
and would serve as a major segment of the California Coastal Trail.
3.6.3.2 Proposed Trails
- Rattlesnake Ridle Trail
- This BLM proposed trail may eventually connect the King Crest Trail
with the Unknown Coast-California Coastal Trail via Rattlesnake Ridge
and Big Flat Creek. This route serves as a key extension of the proposed
regional trail which connects Humboldt Redwoods State Park with the King
Range to provide access to the California Coastal Trail (Ref. 3.4).
- California Coastal Trail Corridor (Trail #60)
- Below the Lost Coast Trail at Shelter cove, the coastline becomes impossible
at two different head land, appropriately named "Point No Pass."
A likely trail route would follow the Chamise Mountain Ridge line and
continue into Mendocino County.
Top
Previous subsection: State Trails
Next Subsection: Trails Staging Program
