White - Top Trails: Northern Californias Redwood Coast: Must-Do Hikes for Everyone

To the Pneuma Projectthanks for a family of love, acceptance, and kindness.

Top Trails Northern Californias Redwood Coast: Must-Do Hikes for Everyone

1st EDITION 2014

Copyright 2014 by Mike White

Cover and interior photos copyright 2014 by Mike White

Maps: Mike White

Cover design: Frances Baca Design and Scott McGrew

Interior design: Frances Baca Design

Production: Annie Long

Copyeditor: Laura Shauger

Indexer: Rich Carlson

ISBN 978-0-89997-751-5; eISBN 978-0-89997-752-2

Manufactured in the United States of America

Published by: Wilderness Press
Keen Communications
PO Box 43673
Birmingham, AL 35243
(800) 443-7227
info@wildernesspress.com
www.wildernesspress.com

Visit our website for a complete listing of our books and for ordering information.

Distributed by Publishers Group West

Cover photo: Visitors admire the coast redwoods in the Stout Grove (Trail 54)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, or by any means electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations used in reviews.

SAFETY NOTICE: Although Wilderness Press and the author have made every attempt to ensure that the information in this book is accurate at press time, they are not responsible for any loss, damage, injury, or inconvenience that may occur to anyone while using this book. You are responsible for your own safety and health while in the wilderness. The fact that a trail is described in this book does not mean that it will be safe for you. Be aware that trail conditions can change from day to day. Always check local conditions, know your own limitations, and consult a map.

The Top Trails Series

Wilderness Press

When Wilderness Press published Sierra North in 1967, no other trail guide like it existed for the Sierra backcountry. The first run of 2,800 copies sold out in less than two months and its success heralded the beginning of Wilderness Press. Since we were founded more than 40 years ago, we have expanded our territories to cover California, Alaska, Hawaii, the U.S. Southwest, the Pacific Northwest, New England, and Canada.

Wilderness Press continues to publish comprehensive, accurate, and readable outdoor books. Hikers, backpackers, kayakers, skiers, snowshoers, climbers, cyclists, and trail runners rely on Wilderness Press for accurate outdoor adventure information.

Top Trails

In its Top Trails guides, Wilderness Press has paid special attention to organization so that you can find the perfect hike each and every time. Whether youre looking for a steep trail to test yourself on or a walk in the park, a romantic waterfall or a city view, Top Trails will lead you there.

Each Top Trails guide contains trails for everyone. The trails selected provide a sampling of the best that the region has to offer. These are the must-do hikes, walks, runs, and bike rides, with every feature of the area represented.

Every book in the Top Trails series offers:

• The Wilderness Press commitment to accuracy and reliability
• Ratings and rankings for each trail
• Distances and approximate times
• Easy-to-follow trail notes
• Map and permit information

Refer to the .

Refer to the .

Contents

Using Top Trails

Organization of Top Trails

Top Trails is designed to make identifying the perfect trail easy and enjoyable, and to make every outing a success and a pleasure. With this book, youll find its a snap to find the right trail, whether youre planning a major hike or just a sociable stroll with friends.

The Region

Top Trails guide begins with the , displaying the entire area covered by the guide and providing an overview of the geography. The map is clearly marked to show which area is covered by each chapter.

In addition to the regional map, refer to the , which lists every trail covered in the guide. Here youll find a concise description, basic information, and highlighted features, all indispensable when planning an outing. A quick reading of the regional map and the master trail table will give you a good overview of the entire region covered by the book.

The Areas

The region covered in each book is divided into areas, with each chapter corresponding to one area in the region. Each area chapter introduction contains information to help you choose and enjoy a trail every time out. Use the table of contents or the regional map to identify an area of interest, then turn to the area chapter to find the following:

• An overview of the area, including park and permit information
• An area map with all trails clearly marked
• A trail features table providing trail-by-trail details
• Trail summaries, written in a lively, accessible style

The Trails

The basic building block of each Top Trails guide is the trail entry. Each one is laid out to make finding and following the trail as simple as possible, with all pertinent information presented in this easy-to-follow format:

• A detailed trail map
• Trail descriptors for trail use and type, length, difficulty level, GPS coordinates, and other at-a-glance information in the margin of each entrys opening page
• The main trail text
• Trail milestones providing easy-to follow, turn-by-turn trail directions