Willow Creek, California

Top Spots in and near Willow Creek

Orick, California
Hike Lyons Ranch

4 mi

This is really a dirt road that is gated off from Bald Hills Road. The trail head parking can fit about 6 cars but seldom do people venture out this way. After all, the attraction of Redwood National Park is the redwoods but this high prairie is definitely worth exploring.The walk to the ranch is...
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Trinidad, California
Explore Luffenholtz Beach Park

On a road trip with a friend in July of 2019, this beach came recommended to us. The tidepools, rocks cutting into the sea, and photography opportunities made it a spectacular stop. There are stairs down to the beach and we were the only ones at the park. If I remember correctly, it’s quite a n...
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Humboldt County, California
Hike the Emerald Ridge - Redwood Creek Loop

6 mi / 900 ft gain

This loop begins at the Tall Trees Trailhead. To access this parking area, you must have a permit that you can obtain from the Kuchel ranger station. The gate is locked. When you get the permit, the ranger will also give you the combination to the gate. Once you drive through, close the gate ...
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Orick, California
Tall Trees Grove, Redwood Creek, Emerald Ridge Loop

4.4

4.41 mi / 1043 ft gain

Day 1: Check with the Rangers station before heading up for best camping opportunities. Assuming you've checked with the rangers for approval...if there are openings, off of the main road, there are side streets with access to the beaches. Pull into one of these areas and drive down as far as you...
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Humboldt County, California
Hike to Tall Trees Grove, Redwood NP

5.0

3.9 mi / 690 ft gain

NOTE: You need a permit, albeit free, to do this hike.First, you'll need to go to the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center just off Highway 101 south of Orick, CA. Once there, write down your license plate number and go up to the counter and ask one of the rangers for a permit for Tall Trees Access Ro...
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Trinidad, California
Hike Trinidad Head

4.8

1.5 mi / 300 ft gain

Park in the large parking lot at Trinidad Beach. The trailhead is at the south end of the parking lot. The loop trail can be hiked in either direction.The trail is half dirt singletrack, half paved switchbacks, and climbs steadily to the top of Trinidad Head. The view of the ocean and California ...
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Trinidad, California
Strawberry Rock Trail

5.0

2.99 mi / 505 ft gain

To get there: From the south, take the Trinidad exit, from which you will take a slight left/ go straight onto Trinidad Frontage rd. From The north, get off at the Trinidad exit, cross under the freeway, and take a left on Trinidad Frontage rd. Once on Trinidad Frontage rd, go straight to the end...
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Trinidad, California
Watch a Sunset at College Cove Beach

5.0

0.25 mi

Follow the trail leading from the end of the parking lot down onto the beach. From the parking lot to the beach the walk is about a quarter of a mile, with a slight decrease in elevation as you move down to the beach. To get to the beach, take 72B off of Highway 101 and turn west onto Main Stree...
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Forks of Salmon, California
Grizzly Lake via China Gulch Trailhead

4.4

14.6 mi / 5112 ft gain

Grizzly Lake is in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. The lake is know for its brilliant waterfall flowing from the lake's surface straight off the side of a cliff and roughly 600 feet down to the meadow below. Grizzly lake is located in some of America's most amazing and remote alpine wilderness, incl...
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Trinidad, California
Patrick's Point Trail

5.0

0.21 mi / 92 ft gain

Patrick's Point Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Trinidad, California.
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Trinidad, California
Wedding Rock Trail

5.0

0.23 mi / 85 ft gain

Wedding Rock Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Trinidad, California.
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Junction City, California
Backcountry Camp in the Canyon Creek Drainage

9 mi / 2600 ft gain

The first half of the Canyon Creek Drainage is one of the most popular destinations within the Trinity Alps, but the second half goes largely unexplored and uninhabited by sojourners. Four peaks – Thompson Peak, Wedding Cake, Mt. Hilton, and Sawtooth Peak – surround the basin and offer adventurer...
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Junction City, California
Scramble Thompson Peak

4.0

22.7 mi / 6100 ft gain

This adventure begins at the Canyon Creek Lakes in the Trinity Alps wilderness. Park at the Canyon Creek Trailhead near Junction City and hike the well-maintained and easy-to-follow trail for 8 miles. Once you reach the Canyon Creek Lakes, your off-trail adventure officially begins. I’d recommend...
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Junction City, California
Canyon Creek Lakes

4.3

14.35 mi / 2605 ft gain

Numerous starting points with over 550 miles of trail and easily 50+ different featured trails depending on length and what type of activity you are are looking for. One of the more popular trails, and rightfully so, is Canyon Creek Lakes Trail. This 16 mile roundtrip hike has an overall elevatio...
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Orick, California
Lady Bird Johnson Grove in Redwood NP

4.0

1.35 mi / 92 ft gain

This hike starts in the parking lot of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Picnic Area. As one of the more popular hikes in Redwood National Park, it is a good idea to get there early to secure parking and miss the crowds. To get to the parking lot from the Kuchel Visitor Center, travel north on Highway ...
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Junction City, California
Fly Fish the Trinity River

The Trinity River is one that is rarely visited by your typical Bay Area resident. In fact, much of true Northern California is "untouched" in the eyes of those who live in The City, which is what drew me to this place to begin with. After a five hour journey from San Francisco, we made it to our...
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