Wanted: Coastal Redwoods hike with camping. Bigfoot a plus.

April 13, 2008 6:13 PM

Looking for a coastal Redwoods hike with camping. Bigfoot a plus.

We would prefer primitive/backcountry camping and hiking for a two nights at the most. I'm from Ohio and I don't make it out to California too much. Hoping for recommendations from those more familiar with the area.

I've been visiting the websites for various National Parks, but I was curious to see what the mass mind could deliver.

Ten years ago I hiked a trail that led through the Redwoods to the coast, and we camped there for the night. I will never forget it...

I'm fairly certain this trail was within National Forest proper, and I remember needing a backcountry pass. It would be nice to find this trail again, but I am open to any recommendations.

I love the combination Redwoods and Ocean. Being able to see a Pacific sunset after a long hike would be ideal. Bigfoot a plus.

posted by FBXRD to sports, hobbies, & recreation (9 comments total)

Big Basin has what you're looking for, I think. Hike from inland to the ocean, or wander 80 miles of trails. It has both car-camping and overnight hike-in campsites. (I've had some wonderful walks there but haven't camped.)

You can take a bus to the inland entrance, leaving your car as your destination at the ocean, or vice versa, or use two cars.
posted by anadem at 7:40 PM on April 13

One of my favorites is willow creek/ sycamore flats near Big Sur
posted by hortense at 7:49 PM on April 13

I would go further north...Arcata or anywhere in Humboldt county
posted by rlef98 at 10:12 PM on April 13

Considering the short time frame, Big Basin is your best bet. It's the park closest to SFO that meets all your criteria. However, someday when you've got a week or so, The Lost Coast will be a more satisfying experience for backcountry experience. Friends who've done it say the Coastwalk tour is very good.
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 10:24 PM on April 13

2nd on the Lost Coast from Mattole to Shelter Cove. You can do the backpacking part in 3 days/2 nights, but you'll need extra time at each end for driving/ shuttling. Now is a fabulous time of year to do it. Plan carefully so you catch low tide for some parts. It's no picnic! Here's a good description.
posted by TDIpod at 11:11 PM on April 13

Skyline to the Sea. Easy. And less than a two hour drive from the SF airport. The trickiest part will be the car shuttle, but you might be able to hitch or pre-arrange a ride (maybe via Craigslist).
posted by salvia at 11:48 PM on April 13

Thanks for all ideas!
I should mention we will be driving south (coming from Portland, OR).
Not sure if that changes anything. Humboldt/Arcata is a nice area.

However, big part of this trip is for those that have never seen the Redwoods. So I should probably stress that aspect of the hike(as much as I love the ocean). I know the trees exist all over the area, and I just want to maximize the experience.

The Willow Creek/Sycamore Flats is really interesting, I love sycamores and Willow Creek is practically Bigfoot Central... cool.
posted by FBXRD at 11:47 AM on April 14

Reading your question, you don't mention needing to be near SFO or having a short time frame for the whole trip, it just sounds like you don't want to spend too many nights sleeping on the ground.

North of Eureka and Arcata, hugging the coast with 200 miles of trails, there are:
Redwood State and National Parks
don't miss Fern Canyon -- it's right off the (dirt) road and quite accessible, should take you about an hour to see before or after your big hike.

I'm fairly certain this trail was within National Forest proper, and I remember needing a backcountry pass
Well, National Forest land doesn't usually require a permit, but the Parks do.
here's their page on permits

I'd like to dissuade you from finding your "perfect spot" again 10 years later. Things change, and if this spot was indeed on USFS land it could have been logged (like just about all of the the USFS land around the parks), and better remembered as it was. Even finding the spot in pristine condition, re-experiencing something that has loomed so large and become perfection in your memory often does not live up to what we recall. Instead of an adventure to search out this spot again, go to discover the incredible beauty that exists there now.

If you want to find this specific special hike, it would be helpful to know where in CA you were. It's a big state.

anywhere in Humboldt county
It's a big county, and the redwoods are only near the coast, and only in some areas. Inland is ... better known for other attractions.
posted by yohko at 12:03 PM on April 14 [1 favorite]

Sorry, my original response assumed that you would be arriving from Ohio, thus via SFO. In that case, yohko's suggestion of Redwood State/National is the best place to camp/hike old growth coastal redwoods between Crescent City and Half Moon Bay.
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 5:07 PM on April 14