Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Trip 24
TAN BARK TRAIL & FIRE ROAD LOOP
LENGTH AND TYPE: 6.6-mile out-and-back or 5.6-mile loop
RATING: Moderate to strenuous
TRAIL CONDITION: Clear, poison oak
HIGHLIGHTS: Old-growth redwoods and sweeping Pacific vistas.
TO REACH THE TRAILHEAD:
The Tan Bark Trail starts at the east end of Partington
Creek Bridge, 2 miles north of the park entrance on Highway 1. There are small
turnouts on either side of the bridge. The Fire Road emerges near Vista Point at Mile
37 on Highway 1. The road lies 70 yards east of the parking area. Neither trailhead of-
fers restrooms or water.
TRIP SUMMARY:
Choose between a 6.6-mile out-and-back hike via the Tan Bark Trail
or a 5.6-mile loop that traverses the Tan Bark Trail and Fire Road back to Highway
1. The 3.3-mile Tan Bark Trail is a longer, more scenic route to the Tin House and is
better graded than the wide, steep Fire Road. That said, it starts lower and thus climbs
more than 2000 feet versus the Fire Road's 1580-foot climb. The 2.2-mile Fire Road is
a steep climb past sunny hilltops with coastal views. The following description starts
on the Tan Bark Trail, ascends to the Tin House, then descends the Fire Road to High-
way 1.
Trip Description
From the southeast end of
Partington Creek Bridge
(210'), the
Tan Bark Trail
fol-
lows
Partington Creek
as it tumbles over granite boulders beneath towering red-
woods. In 0.1 mile a spur bears left across the creek on a
wooden bridge
(0.1 mile,
170'). This spur leads back downstream to the west end of the bridge. Continue straight
along the south fork of Partington Creek, taking in the persistent cries of tiny brown
winter wrens.
The trail follows the south bank in the cool shade of redwoods, tanoaks, and bays.
After 0.3 mile the trail reaches another spur that darts upstream 100 feet to the creek.
At this junction, the main trail turns east through the
Donald McLaughlin Memori-
al Grove
(0.3 mile, 350'). The trail then begins its major ascent, climbing a series of
steep switchbacks past a minor gully that hosts a creek only during the wettest months.
Glance across canyon at the sun-baked south-facing slopes, dotted with homes in the
Partington Ridge
subdivision.
