These parks have an interesting history. In the 1920’s California created three state parks to preserve the the redwoods: Prairie Creek, Del Norte, and Jedediah Smith. The national park was create in 1968 and encircles the three state parks to better protect the environment. Together they form a World Heritage Site and are part of the California Coast Ranges Biosphere Reserve.
I approached the parks from the south and stopped in Arcata for lunch. The Farmers’ Market was going strong in the Plaza, while simultaneously hosting a Star Wars event. The Farmers’ market encircles the whole Plaza and provides a great variety of produce and food stuffs.
Between Arcata and the parks is Trinidad and the Trinidad Lighthouse. The lighthouse trail is a bit of a climb but offers wonderful views. Except you can’t see the lighthouse. I have been telling myself that I struggled climbing in the mountains because of the elevation. It was at sea-level in Trinidad that I had to accept that I just have no aerobic capacity. Another hint that I need to change my ways.
And then the parks. Whether you come from the north or the south, there is a visitors’ center close by. Don’t look for separate state and federal facilities – the parks are jointly run and any place you stop will be able to help you with the whole array. I stopped at the Kuchel Visitor Center and asked for recommended hikes based on my revised estimated ability. The Foothill Trail to Big Tree, off the Newton B. Drury Parkway was recommended by the Ranger, with a return to my car on the Karl Knapp Memorial Trail. That was about three miles round trip and quite flat. And I got to see the Big Tree.
This is just a random photo taken on the return from Big Tree.
The other hike recommended by the Ranger was in to see the Grove of Titans off the Howland Hill Road. This is in the northern part of the park in the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. I have to admit that I got to the trailhead, saw all the parked cars, and the full day drive ahead of me, and bailed on the Titans. I would highly recommend the Howland Hill road if you are not in an RV. Be prepared for nine miles of two way traffic on a quite narrow single lane road. But the experience is well worth the inconveniences.
I spent the night in Requa, in the middle of the park, along the Klamath River. The land within one mile of the river, on both sides, for the first 43 miles is the Yurok Reservation.
I’ll close with this view of False Klamath Cove.
The Journey 