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Redwood National Park, CA

Jun 9 - Jun 16, 2018 -- $1350 ★


Description

Only 3% of the Redwoods that originally blanketed the Pacific Coast still stand. Come walk through time in beautiful Redwood National Park where the few remaining old growth redwoods are still preserved from being cut down and turned into decks and picnic tables. You will walk through groves of leviathan trees that are centuries or even millenia old and can grow more than 350' tall.


Our trip will begin in Redwood National Park and morph into various hikes within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. You may see herds of regal Roosevelt Elk, catch glimpses of whales from scenic outlooks high above the pacific, view a black bear or perhaps see a sea otter or even the rare and endangered marbled murrelet. If you've never seen the Pacific Coast or a Redwood Tree, this is the trip for you.


Our journey will begin in Redwood National Park where we'll see the Ladybird Johnson grove of preserved redwoods and later, the Tall Trees Grove whose gargantuan occupants featuring trees over 350' tall, might leave you speechless. We'll base-camp in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park where you are almost certain to see majestic Roosevelt Elk (and you can get a shower). We spend the rest of the trip in Prairie Creek and along the Ocean, on the beach, and among old growth redwoods. And you can even visit Fern Canyon on your own, a lush, high-walled primieval canyon where some scenes in Jurassic Park were filmed.



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Expect daytime hiking temperatures in the 60s and 70s and nighttime temperatures in the 40s & 50s. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures as high as 80 and as low as 30 or several days of rain. Here is the historical July weather. On the July 2009 trip, the weather was so mild and clear, we were able to sleep out under the stars almost every night, but of course you never know what's in store.



Trip Leaders

Bruce Cannon
Deb Lusk


Cost

$1350 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another participant during the 2 hotel nights. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from San Francisco (SFO), personal equipment, restaurant meals eaten off the trail and any gratuities for guides.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, campground fees, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation, National Park permits, insurance, and 2 awesome guides.



Notes

The trails through Redwood National Park are well groomed with good footing and moderate elevation gain and loss (although it may not always seem like that while hiking). However the 13.7 mile day may seem very difficult. Plus, some hike are on the beach which although flat can retard progress. The upside is that you get stronger as you hike and that continually changing incredible scenery will keep you engaged.


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Itinerary
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Itinerary


Saturday, June 9, 2018

Fly or drive into San Francisco, CA (SFO)

Take the free airport shuttle to Hotel Aura SFO, 190 El Camino Real, San Bruno, CA, 94066, 650-588-0800

Equipment shakedown. We go through your pack and examine everything you brought.

Trip to REI San Carlos, 1119 Industrial Rd, Ste 1B, San Carlos, CA 94070, (650) 508-2330 for last minute forgotten items

Trail mix distribution

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Go out for dinner at a local restaurant (Dinner cost not included in trip price)



Sunday, June 10, 2018

"Before" measurements taken

Free breakfast in Hotel

We are unsure if cars can be left at Hotel. If so, hotel assumes no responsibility for them however, will have you sign a document saying so and may charge for parking.

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and placed in storage

Shuttle to Redwood National Park (5 hours or so)

We may need to stop into the Ranger Station in Orick, CA to pick up our permit. However, we probably can do this tomorrow, and will plan to.

Shuttle to Elk Prairie Campground in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Set up camp at Elk Prairie, elevation 100'

Shuttle to the Ten Taypo Trail on Newton Drury Boulevard

Hike 3.8 miles on the Ten Taypo Trail

Miles today: 3.8 miles. Total to Date: 3.8 Miles

Camp at Elk Prairie frontcountry campground (Site number TBD) complete with ranger station, ranger talks, and bathhouse with running water and coin-op showers.


Monday, June 11, 2018

You will be crossing Redwood Creek several times today so be mentally prepared for this. There are no bridges, so make sure have sturdy water shoes and trekking poles.

Shuttle to the ranger station in Orick, CA

Take about 30 minutes to pick up backcountry permit for the Tall Trees Grove at the ranger station. We will also be given the gate code to the Tall Trees.

Shuttle to the Tall Trees Grove on Bald Hills Rd., elevation 250'

Start hiking and quickly turn left on the Emerald Ridge Trail

Hike about 0.6 miles to the Dolasson Prairie Trail, elevation 150'

Turn right to continue on the Emerald Ridge Trail for about 0.4 miles to Redwood Creek, elevation 50'

Hike 1.0 miles down Redwood Creek to the Tall Trees Grove. Wear your sturdy water shoes to cross Redwood Creek several times. This will take much longer than you think it takes to walk a mile.

There are 2 entrances to the Tall Trees Grove from Redwood Creek. They are both denoted by orange markers 10-20' above the ground. There may be a foot bridge at 2nd entrance (they are constructed seasonally and are typically installed in June)

Day-hike 1.0 mile around the Tall Trees Grove loop, craning your neck up almost continuously. Elevation 50'

Day-hike 1.0 mile uphill to the parking lot, elevation 250'.

Shuttle to Ladybird Johnson Grove on Bald Hills Rd.

Hike 1.0 miles through the Ladybird Johnson Grove

Shuttle back to to Elk Prairie Campground.

Camp at Elk Prairie frontcountry campground (Site number TBD) complete with ranger station, ranger talks, and bathhouse with running water and coin-op showers.

Mileage Today: 5.0. Total mileage: 8.8

Possible bailout: Bald Hills Rd.


Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Day-Hike 14.8 miles on the Rhododendron Trail to the CREA trail and back via the Prairie Creek Trail, max elevation 800'

Shorter day hiking loops available

Camp at Elk Prairie frontcountry campground (Site number TBD) complete with ranger station, ranger talks, and bathhouse with running water and coin-op showers.

Mileage Today: 14.8. Total mileage: 23.6

Possible bailout: Elk Prairie Campground


Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Pack up everything in anticipation of moving to a different campground tonight

Shuttle to the Ten Taypo Trailhead on Newton Drury Boulevard, elevation 800'

Start hiking across the street on the Ossagon Trail for 1.8 downhill miles to the Pacific Coast, elevation Sea Level.

Hike 1.8 Northbound miles along the California Coastal Trail / Pacific Coast to the Carruthers Cove Trail, elevation Sea Level

Hike 0.8 uphill miles on the Carruthers Cove Trail to Coastal Drive, elevation 600'

Hike about 1.0 road miles on Coastal Drive to Newton Drury Boulevard, elevation 800'

Hike about 0.5 road miles on Newton Drury Boulevard to the Ah Pah Interpretive Trail, elevation 800'

Hike 0.8 round trip miles on the Ah Pah Interpretive Trail, elevation 800'

Hike about 1.0 road miles on Newton Drury Boulevard back to the Ten Taypo Trail, elevation 800'

Shuttle to Gold Bluffs campground, site TBD, elevation Sea Level

Camp at Gold Bluffs frontcountry campground (Site number TBD). Has flush toilets and potable water.

7.7 miles today. Total to Date: 31.3

Bailout: Newton Drury Boulevard


Thursday, June 14, 2018

Fern Canyon is closed to commercial outfitters. However, it's a worthwhile destination, so in the morning you are welcome to explore this incredible area on your own. You can day-hike the 3.0 mile roundtrip in a few hours

Hike 2.0 miles on the Miner's Ridge Trail to the Clintonia Trail

Hike 1.4 miles on the Clintonia Trail to the James Irvine Trail

Hike 1.8 miles on the James Irvine Trail to the Coastal Trail.

Hike 2.0 miles on the Coastal Trail back to Gold Bluffs.

Set up camp and stay at Gold Bluffs site TBD, elevation Sea Level

Mileage Today: 7.2. Total mileage: 38.5

Possible bailout: Gold Bluffs Campground


Friday, June 15, 2018

Break Camp and shuttle to the Trillium Falls Trail near Elk Meadow

Day-Hike a 2.3 mile loop on the Trillium Falls Trail

End of hiking

Mileage Today: 2.3. Total mileage: 40.8

Possible bailout: US-101.

Check back into Hotel Aura SFO, 190 El Camino Real, San Bruno, CA, 94066, 650-588-0800

"After" body composition measurements taken

Dinner and awards Ceremony (Dinner cost not included in trip price)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Saturday, June 16, 2018

Free breakfast in Hotel

Airport Drop


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