The Homestead
and Big Tree Loop

Length 2.4 mi · Climbing 110 ft
California > Southern Humboldt County > Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Mattole Road

Background

This short and enjoyable walk is one of the more serene lowland hikes in Humboldt Redwoods. Being well away from Highway 101 and the Avenue of the Giants, you can at least begin to appreciate the serenity of the redwoods here. The loop starts on the Homestead Trail, a lushly vegetated horse trail that skirts the edge of Bull Creek Flat. The loop then returns on the Big Tree Trail, which is not as lush but, since it cuts through the middle of the flat, has much bigger trees. The best parts of the loop are the beginning and end, the parts closest to the Big Tree Area. The loop is most enjoyable in winter when there's little or no horse manure on the Homestead Trail and when Mattole Road has less traffic.

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Hike description

Start at the Big Tree Area parking lot. Walk back out on the paved acces road to Mattole Road, turn left, and walk a short distance to a pullout on your right. This is one of the more impressive sections of Mattole Road, enveloped in the deep, dark redwood forest.

In the pullout you'll see a trailhead labeled "Addie Johnson Trail". Take this trail, which dives into the forest a short distance before reaching a "T" intersection with the Homestead Trail. Turn left.

The Homestead Trail gently rises and falls through lush redwood forest. Here at the edge of the alluvial flat, the redwoods aren't nearly as big as they are along Mattole Road just a few yards away. On the other hand, the vegetation is more lush and the trail winds its way over small rises, making for scenery that's in some ways more attractive and interesting than the flats. The occasional car or small truck passes by on Mattole Road, but especially in winter the area is very quiet.

Eventually the redwoods get smaller and sparser and the forest opens up, signaling that you're nearing the end of the old growth. When you come to the paved access road to Albee Creek Campground, turn left. You'll soon re-enter the huge old-growth redwoods.

The Homestead Trail

Turn right at the T intersection with Mattole Road and walk along the road a short distance until you reach the Big Tree Trail. Turn left.

The first half-mile of the Big Tree Trail skirts the edge of the area of really big redwoods. Not until you get near the Big Tree Area do you really enter the old-growth forest. The last half-mile or so of this trail is one of the most impressive redwood walks anywhere, with an amazingly dense collection of huge trees growing from a sparse scattering of redwood sorrel and ferns. The grove is a nearly pure stand of redwood and there is no understory to obstruct views. The rushing sounds of Bull Creek fill the grove.

At a trail intersection, turn left to take a short detour past the Tall Tree. Shortly afterward, you'll reach the Tall Tree Area parking lot where you started.

The Big Tree Area

 

© 2007 David Baselt