Starting July 2, guided hikes are available on the Salmon Pass Trail, just south of Fortuna in Humboldt County, every weekend through mid-November.
The trail sits at the southern end of the Headwaters Forest Reserve. The hike covers three miles over three to four hours, climbing 360 feet through a mix of old-growth and second-growth redwood – moderately strenuous, definitely not a stroll. The ground is unpaved. Rain turns it slick, and the forest holds its chill – even in July.
Bring waterproof boots. The trail can turn muddy fast. Bring layers – the redwoods stay cool and damp, even in summer – so pack a fleece, a rain jacket, and a light layer for the climb. Carry a couple of liters of water. Pack food you can eat without stopping. The BLM also recommends sunscreen, a hat, and bug spray.
Registration runs through Recreation.gov and closes three days before each hike.
The Reserve covers 7,472 acres. It holds some of the last intact old-growth redwood left anywhere, grounds that still shelter coho salmon, northern spotted owls, and marbled murrelets. The Arcata Field Office runs it in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Questions? Call the Arcata Field Office at 707-825-2300.
Links:
- Registration: HERE
- Know Before You Go: HERE
- Headwaters Forest Reserve: HERE
- Arcata Field Office: HERE