“The redwoods, as soon as seen, go away a mark or create a imaginative and prescient that stays with you at all times. Nobody has ever efficiently painted or photographed a redwood tree. The sensation they produce isn’t transferable. From them comes silence and awe. It’s not solely their unbelievable stature, nor the colour which appears to shift and fluctuate underneath your eyes, no, they aren’t like every timber we all know, they’re ambassadors from one other time.”
~ John Steinbeck, “Travels With Charley – In Search of America”
Gazing skywards within the Tall Bushes Grove (PCO Naomi Hudetz)
Overview
The Redwood Creek Path is an out-and-back hike that may be performed as both a day journey or an in a single day backpacking tour. The scenic spotlight of the stroll is the Tall Bushes Grove, a exceptional assortment of historical redwoods that was famously featured in Nationwide Geographic in 1963. The widespread consideration created by the article helped the realm to ultimately be designated a Nationwide Park in 1968.
I hiked the Redwood Creek Path in mid-September 2021, as a part of a collection of brief walks within the Redwoods area (together with the James Irvine and Miner’s Ridge Loop, the Boy Scout Path in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, and a combo of the Prairie Creek, Brown Creek, Foothill Path & Rhododendron Trails). I used to be joined on the journey by good buddies Mike Unger, Naomi Hudetz, and Whitney “Allgood” LaRuffa.
At a Look
Distance: 25.4 km (15.8 mi)
Common Length: 1 or 2 days
Issue Stage: Straightforward
Begin/End: Redwood Creek Trailhead Parking (41.2992260, -124.0337130)
Mike Unger leaving the Redwood Creek Trailhead Automotive Park. Mike is certainly one of solely a handful of double triple crowners, and over the previous fifteen years has logged virtually 30,000 miles on America’s long-distance trails. I had the great fortune of assembly him and his spouse Naomi (see subsequent picture) whereas mountain climbing the CDT in 2012.
Getting There & Away:
- To entry the Redwood Creek Trailhead, take HWY 101 north from the tiny city of Orick. After simply over a mile, head east on Bald Hills Street for one more 0.4 miles to a signed junction. Flip proper, and take this paved street for one more 0.5 miles to the trailhead parking space (Services – restrooms, trash cans, and path register).
Season:
- All-year-round. June to September presents the perfect likelihood of sunny climate. The remainder of the yr is cooler and wetter, however on the flip aspect is much less crowded and permits are normally not a difficulty. Tip: Attempt to keep away from weekends and faculty holidays. Late spring and early fall supply an amazing steadiness between usually clear situations, delicate temps, and comparatively few individuals on the path.
Naomi Hudetz – co-founder of Treeline Evaluate, and serial long-distance (and brief and medium distance as properly!) hiker together with the triple crown, GDT, GET, PNT, the Oregon Desert Path, and the Idaho Centennial Path.
Planning Info
- Permits: In case you’re doing the hike in sooner or later, you’ll want a allow for the Tall Bushes Grove. In case you plan to camp on the Redwood Creek gravel bar (see Sleeping under) you’ll additionally require a backcountry allow from the Redwood Nationwide and State Parks web site. Each permits must be organized upfront.
- GPX Information: Redwood Creek Path – Alltrails, GaiaGPS
Whitney “Allgood” LaRuffa – long-serving ex-president of ALDHA West, AT/CDT thru-hiker, and pioneer of the Chinook and Blue Mountains Trails. I met AG at Trout Lake, WA, whereas mountain climbing the PCT in 2012, and we’ve been good mates ever since.
Path Notes:
- Character: The Redwood Creek Path follows its namesake watercourse, passing by means of a lush riparian hall of hemlock, spruce, bigleaf maples, and, after all, previous and second-growth redwoods. The path could be very properly maintained and marked; certainly, you’d must strive laborious so as to get misplaced on this one.
44 Creek Bridge
- Foot Visitors & Alternate Route: Throughout our mid-September hike, we solely noticed a few different individuals doing the entire Redwood Creek Path. Evidently most people that go to the Tall Bushes Grove, accomplish that through the Tall Bushes Entry Street Trailhead. This various includes a four-mile (6.4 km) loop hike that features roughly 1,600 ft (487m) of elevation change.
- Landmarks (approx. distances from Trailhead Carpark): 1. Redwood Creek Crossing (1.6 mi/2.6 km); 2. Junction to Elan Camp (2.7 mi (4.4 km); 3. 44 Creek Bridge (6.7 mi/10.8 km); 4. Junction to 44 Camp (7.3 mi/11.7 km), and; 4. Starting of Tall Bushes Grove Loop (7.6 mi/12.2 km)
- Mom Nature’s Pantheon: The Redwoods was the ultimate vacation spot of my 2021 US journey. I couldn’t have wished for a extra memorable finale. These primordial behemoths have been recognized to dwell as much as 3000 years, and aren’t solely the world’s tallest timber but in addition the biggest residing organisms on the planet. The Redwood area is a type of locations – just like the Grand Canyon, Iguazu Falls, or the Nice Barrier Reef – the place regardless of how a lot you will have heard beforehand, regardless of what number of mind-blowing photographs you will have seen in books or on-line, the fact will at all times exceed your expectations. Through the 4 days we spent mountain climbing within the Redwoods, I’m positive I spent as a lot time gazing up in awe, as I did wanting on the path in entrance of me. Certainly, I can’t recall a spot that produces extra toe-stubbings and neck strains per mile than these historical coastal forests.
Tall Bushes Grove
After roughly 7 miles (11.3 km) the path emerges from the forest onto the Redwood Creek gravel mattress. At this level head SSE and cross the watercourse – in the course of the summer time there’s a seasonal footbridge – and re-enter the forest. You’re now within the Tall Bushes Grove, which includes a 1.2 mile (1.9 km) neck-straining loop amongst a number of the most unbelievable redwoods in the complete area. It was so extraordinary I did it twice – as soon as round sundown on day 1, and once more the next morning.
Hyperion – The World’s Tallest Tree
The world’s tallest tree, a coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) known as Hyperion (115.5 m [379 ft]), is positioned within the Redwood Creek watershed. The situation is considerably of a secret (albeit not a really properly saved one), however resulting from the truth that it is advisable to head off the overwhelmed observe to get there, it stays sometimes visited. On the second morning of the hike, after some fulfilling splishing, splashing, and scrambling, we had been lucky sufficient to pay our respects to the mighty tree, earlier than making the return journey again to the Redwood Creek trailhead.
Sleeping
- Dispersed Tenting: Redwood Creek is the one place within the Redwood Nationwide park the place “dispersed tenting” is permitted. Backpackers can camp wherever alongside the gravel creekbed so long as it’s upstream of the primary creek crossing (1.6 mi/2.6 km from the trailhead), and no nearer than a quarter-mile (400 m) to the hike’s turnaround level on the Tall Bushes Grove.
Tenting by Redwood Creek.
(L to R) Naomi, Mike, and Allgood.
Reflections on Redwood Creek on the finish of Day 1.
Aspect Journey/Bonus Trek: Woman Fowl Johnson Grove Path
Situated lower than three miles (4.8 km) drive away from the Redwood Creek Trailhead is the Woman Fowl Johnson Grove Path. At just one.4 miles (2.3 km) in size, this lovely, gently-graded pathway is properly value an hour of your time both pre or post-hike. It’s named after the previous first woman, who throughout her husband’s time in workplace, actively promoted the safety and creation of pure habitats. Listed below are some pictures from the brief stroll:
Gear Checklist – Redwoods (September 2021)
There are a handful of latest objects this time round, together with a canister range, the Lunar Solo shelter, the Montane Allez Micro Hoodie, and the Sony a6400 (18-135mm lens).
| ITEM | WT. (OZ) | SUB (oz) | SUB (kg) | COMMENTS |
| BACKPACK | ||||
| MLD Burn (38L/DCF) | 16 | Frameless backpack of selection for the reason that 2000s. Slightly heavier, with extra bells and whistles than the unique fashions, however the slim profile nonetheless matches me completely. General I’ve hiked greater than 20,000 miles carrying the Burn, and am now on my third mannequin. | ||
| Trash compactor bag (pack liner) | 2 | |||
| 18 | 0.5 | |||
| SHELTER | ||||
| Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo | 26 | Thumbs up. Mild, straightforward to pitch, loads of house for one individual, holds up properly in a storm. | ||
| 26 | 0.74 | |||
| SLEEPING SYSTEM | ||||
| Pad – Thermarest NeoAir XLite – Massive (resized to only underneath 150cm/5ft) | 11.9 | Transformed to broad mannequin a few years in the past – further width has been value weight penalty/ Resizing lower weight from 16 oz to only underneath 12 oz / Click on right here fo long-term assessment of the small mannequin. | ||
| Quilt – Katabatic Alsek 22F | 23.1 | I’d usually go along with my artificial MLD quilt or the Katabatic Palisade 30F for the Redwoods. On this case, I had the Alsek with me as a result of that was what I used up in northern Alaska earlier in the summertime. | ||
| 35 | 1 | |||
| KITCHEN / H2O | ||||
| LokSak 20×12 (Meals Bag) | 1.2 | Meals storage bag of selection for the reason that 2000s. I typically hear individuals complain in regards to the seals breaking rapidly, however I’ve at all times discovered them to be pretty sturdy (4 to six weeks of each day use) should you don’t overfill them. | ||
| Toaks 700ml Titanium Pot | 3.1 | |||
| SOTO Windmaster | 3.4 | In spite of everything these years I lastly purchased a canister range. My mountain climbing companions – AG, Mike & Naomi – all really helpful the SOTO, and after utilizing it for a month or so, I’d must concur. Tremendous fast, mild, and environment friendly. A keeper. | ||
| Toaks Titanium Lengthy Dealt with Spoon | 0.7 | Prime-end wrapped in orange tape so I gained’t lose it. | ||
| Reconstituted sports activities drink bottles (2) | 2.4 | |||
| 10.8 | 0.31 | |||
| FIRST AID / HYGIENE | ||||
| Sunscreen (repackaged in tiny bottle) | ||||
| Hand Sanitizer (repackaged in a dropper bottle) | I haven’t had a case of the backcountry trots since 1999 – I believe an enormous purpose is the diligent use of hand sanitizer. | |||
| Aquamira (repackaged in dropper bottles) | ||||
| Toothbrush | ||||
| Toothpaste (mini tube) | ||||
| Dental Floss | Doubles as stitching thread | |||
| Antiseptic Wipes (2) | Clear cuts and wounds | |||
| Gauze | ||||
| Triple Antibiotic Cream (tiny tube) | ||||
| 3M Micropore Medical Tape | Breathable, paper tape / Adheres properly. | |||
| Ibuprofen | ||||
| Bathroom Paper | ||||
| Stitching Needle | One-armed blind of us can sew higher than me. | |||
| Tenacious Tape, Mini Tube Tremendous Glue (repairs) | To compensate for lack of stitching abilities | |||
| Lip Balm SPF 30 | Saved with sunscreen & hand sanitizer in shoulder pocket. | |||
| 4 | 0.11 | |||
| CLOTHES | ||||
| Rain Pants – Montbell Versalite (Lge) | 3.6 | Light-weight, quick-drying, and a shocking quantity of heat for one thing that weighs lower than 4oz / Not tremendous sturdy, however wonderful for on-trail mountain climbing. | ||
| Rain Jacket – Montbell Versalite (Lge) | 7 | After the Peak Dry Shell, my favourite Montbell rain jacket. | ||
| Insulation – Montane Allez Micro Hoodie (Lge) | 6.7 | Can’t say sufficient about this hoodie. Constituted of Polartec Energy Grid, I wore it each day throughout my month up in Denali and Gates of the Arctic. Discovered it to be an excellent insulation layer for chilly/moist temps between low 30s to low 50s F (0°C-12°C). | ||
| Additional Socks – Darn Powerful Hiker Micro Crew | 2.6 | |||
| Soiled Lady Gaiters | 1.3 | |||
| Montbell Chameece Gloves | 0.9 | All-time favourite liner gloves. Very sturdy – I’ve had the identical pair since 2016. | ||
| 22.1 | 0.63 | |||
| MISCELLANEOUS | ||||
| Digital camera – Sony a6400 (18-135mm lens) | 27.2 | After (too) many hours of analysis, I lastly took the plunge and purchased a flowery(ish) digicam. Nonetheless heaps to be taught relating to optimum settings. | ||
| Digital camera Case – MegaGear Neoprene | 2.2 | |||
| Telephone – iPhone 11 | 7.1 | |||
| Otter Symmetry case for iPhone 11 (orange) | 1.3 | |||
| Trekking Pole – Montbell Alpine Carbon Pole Cam Lock | 7.1 | I put this flip-lock pole by means of the wringer up within the tussocks and river crossings of Denali & Gates of the Arctic. Double thumbs up. | ||
| Small DCF stuff sack – Hyperlite Mountain Gear (2) | 0.6 | Ditty bag / First Help / Toiletries | ||
| Six Moon Designs Pack Pod | 1 | Multi-use. At evening fill it with further garments and use it as a pillow. | ||
| Headlamp – Nitecore NU25 | 1.8 | Glorious rechargeable headlamp. More often than not I have a tendency to make use of the low crimson setting to protect evening imaginative and prescient. | ||
| Swiss Military Traditional | 0.7 | |||
| Small LokSaks for Valuables (2) | 1 | Safety for telephone, passport, and so on. | ||
| Potty Trowel – Deuce of Spades | 0.6 | |||
| 50.7 | 1.43 | |||
| BASE WEIGHT | TOTAL | 10.5 lb | 4.8 kg | |
| ITEMS WORN | ||||
| Shorts – Patagonia Baggies 7″ | 6.7 | Mountain climbing shorts of selection since 2015/16. Click on right here for my long-term assessment. | ||
| Base layer – Montbell Merino Lengthy Sleeve Zip Neck | 7.6 | I’ve used this merino wool base layer (160g/m2) since 2016 for many of my hikes in chilly/moist situations (e.g. Tasmania, Scotland, New Zealand) / Not too thick/not too skinny, hotter than artificial equivalents when damp. | ||
| REI Merino Wool Liner socks | 1.6 | Nonetheless my favorite Merino liners after greater than a decade / Cheaper and extra sturdy than the large sock firms (Be aware: Although not as sturdy because the pre-2013 fashions) | ||
| Hat – Baseball cap | 2.8 | |||
| Sneakers – Brooks Cascadia 15 (dimension 12) | 24.2 | After utilizing the La Sportiva Extremely Raptors up in Alaska, I switched again to the Cascadias for the PNW. Been a daily person of the Cascadias for the reason that third version. See right here for long-term assessment. | ||
| Watch – Suunto Ambit3 | 3 | Picked up final yr on particular. Person-friendly, rechargeable battery, GPS, and altimeter (when calibrated) very correct. That mentioned, I have a tendency to go away the GPS off so the battery sometimes lasts just a few weeks earlier than needing to be recharged. | ||
| Sun shades | 0.8 | UVA/UVB safety | ||
| 46.7 | 1.3 | |||
| TOTAL WEIGHT | 13.2 lb | 6 kg | ||
The window of time between if you let the air out of your mat, and if you (considerably reluctantly) go away the heat of your quilt (PCO Whitney “Allgood” LaRuffa)
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