Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Little-visited compared to their southern brethren, the world's tallest living trees have
been standing here for time immemorial, predating the Roman Empire by over 500 years.
Prepare to be impressed.
The small town of
Orick
(population 650), at the southern tip of the park, in a lush val-
ley, is barely more than a few storefronts, the only gas station between Trinidad and
Klamath, and a vast conglomeration of woodcarving.
Redwood National Park
Just north of the southern visitor center, turn east onto Bald Hills Rd and travel 2 miles to
Lady Bird Johnson Grove
, one of the park's most spectacular groves, and also one of the
busiest, accessible via a gentle 1-mile loop trail. Continue for another 5 miles up Bald
Hills Rd to
Redwood Creek Overlook
. On the top of the ridgeline at 2100ft get views
over the forest and the entire watershed - provided it's not foggy. Just past the overlook
lies the gated turnoff for
Tall Trees Grove
, the location of several of the world's tallest
trees. Rangers issue 50 vehicle permits. Pick one up, along with the gate-lock combina-
tion, from the visitor centers. Allow four hours for the round-trip, which includes a 6-mile
drive down a rough dirt road (speed limit 15mph) and a steep 1.3-mile one-way hike,
which descends 800ft to the grove.
Several longer trails include the awe-inspiring
Redwood Creek Trail
, which also
reaches Tall Trees Grove. You'll need a free backcountry permit to hike and camp (highly
recommended, as the best backcountry camping on the North Coast), but the area is most
accessible from Memorial Day to Labor Day, when summer footbridges are up. Otherwise,
getting across the creek can be perilous or impossible.
For hikes, kayaking, fishing or a slew of other tours, book with
Redwood Adventures
( 866-733-9637;
www.redwoodadventures.com
; 7 Valley Green Camp Rd, Orick)
whose guides
know the area better than anyone and will get you to places you may not otherwise find on
your own. For horseback riding from May to November call the
Redwood Creek Bukar-
ettes
(
707-499-2943;
www.redwoodcreekbukarettes.com
; 1000 Drydens Rd, Orick; 1½hr trail rides
from $60)
.
Sleeping
Elk Meadow Cabins
CABINS
