West Ridge
and Prairie Creek

Short loop with the Zig Zag #1 Trail

Length 5.8 mi · Climbing 760 ft
California > Redwood National and State Parks > Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

The West Ridge Trail

Background

This superb loop features the southernmost (and best) of the Prairie Creek Trail, a very enjoyable old-growth trail with unusually varied scenery and its own unique look. The trail follows Prairie Creek, a large and exceptionally pristine creek running through a wide channel filled with small shrubs and edged with maple trees. The trail passes through several spectacular lowland redwood groves, where in October the maples along the creek turn a brilliant yellow, glowing against the gloom under the dense redwood canopy. Between the groves the trail emerges from the redwood canopy and passes through open streamside vegetation with views of impressive redwoods to either side. The contrast between the two different environments makes for an engaging hike.

The West Ridge Trail

For this hike, the southern half of the Prairie Creek Trail is paired with the southern portion of the West Ridge Trail. This rather strenuous trail undulates through ridgetop redwood uplands. Although the West Ridge uplands aren't as scenic or diverse as the lowlands of Prairie Creek, the contrast makes for an especially interesting and rewarding hike.

The redwood groves on this hike are quintessentially Prairie Creek and are among the most impressive in existence. If the trail were more isolated it would rank among the very best redwood trails, but unfortunately the experience of hiking here is somewhat spoiled by traffic noise from Drury Parkway. Fortunately the traffic isn't especially heavy even on holiday weekends, with a car passing by every few minutes, but if possible visit when traffic is at a minimum - early in the morning, in winter, or on a weekday.

Click map to resize; click again to show all trails and roads
Map excerpted from the Trail Map of Redwood National and State Parks (Redwood Hikes Press, 2009)

Hike description

Start at the main trailhead behind the Visitor Center and take the big bridge across Prairie Creek, then turn right at the second intersection. The trail enters a broad valley that features the aptly-named Godwood Creek, which is home to a particularly magnificent redwood grove. The forest of huge, stately trees is lush yet open, with the serene and ancient look that's unique to Prairie Creek.

The trail abruptly turns right at a bench (if you look carefully, you may notice that the bench and some strategically-planted ferns hide the remnants of the old James Irvine Trail). The trail then starts climbing. As you climb through the first two or three switchbacks there's an impressive view of the big trees just below the trail. After this, the trail climbs into a small glen and enters much less-impressive redwood uplands. Much of the West Ridge Trail is in fact kind of dull for an old-growth trail; most of the redwoods aren't that big, they're all the same drab color, and the woods lack the rich lushness found elsewhere in the park. However, as the trail works its way along the ridge, the trees get progressively bigger and the scenery gets more interesting; at one point, the trail passes through a wide saddle with some especially large trees. The trail constantly undulates up and down and, although the undulations aren't all that big, can be surprisingly tiring.

The Prairie Creek Trail

Dense huckleberry shrubs line the West Ridge Trail. Huckleberry can also be found along the Prairie Creek Trail but in much smaller amounts.

Turn right at Zig Zag Trail #1 and start descending. About halfway down to the valley floor, the scenery improves markedly and the really good part of the hike begins. Not only is the forest is more open with more really big trees, but the trees have more interesting colors and textures. To your left, a creek burbles through a little glen. As the trail reaches the valley floor, it passes through a spectacular grove of monster redwoods. Turning onto the Prairie Creek Trail, you'll exit the redwoods and then cross to the east side of Prairie Creek.

The Prairie Creek Trail

The Prairie Creek Trail alternately dives into stately redwood groves and emerges into open areas. The most dramatically lush groves seem to be on the east side of the creek, with one magnificent grove just after the trail crosses to the east side of Prairie Creek and a larger, equally sublime grove just before the trail crosses back to the west side. Between the two groves the trail passes under streamside maples and through open areas covered with a thick, chaparral-like tangle of ferns, blackberries, and small shrublike maples. When the maples lose their leaves in the winter, it becomes apparent that you're standing in a deep canyon of foliage, with solid walls of redwoods rising high above you on either side of the creek - an especially dramatic sight on a foggy or drizzly day.

Due to a trail re-route, the final stretch of trail on the west side of the creek is further away from the creek and more under the dark canopy of the redwoods, with no maples. It's still pretty impressive though, and the change in scenery makes a nice end to the hike.

Bridge across Prairie Creek, Prairie Creek Trail

 

© 2006-2010 David Baselt