Jun 15, 2017 — Just a note before looking at this trail: it is kind of boring. Unfortunately, the majority follows old logging roads through new growth forest, but you can make this somewhat unpleasantly long hike into a short one by cutting out the Elam Creek Trail and the McArthur Creek Trail and just heading through old growth redwoods from the Redwood Creek Trail to the Ridge Trail. To be fair, the trail links I made to create this loop includes mostly horse trails, but I didn't know that when planning this hike, honestly.
Assuming you intend to do the loop as I did it, though, start from the Redwood Creek Trailhead and follow the pretty trail on the east side of Redwood Creek until a bridge takes you to the other side, which is slightly less well maintained. After locating the trail on the east side, follow it until Elam Creek Horse Camp. To make this hike shorter and more enjoyable, head to the right and follow that northern section of the Elam Creek Trail to the Ridge Trail. Or, do my loop and head along the southern section of the Elam Creek Trail through new growth forest and logging roads until it finally meets up with the McArthur Creek Trail. Follow the McArthur Creek Trail down into McArthur Creek, which is very pretty, and continue to meet up with the Ridge Trail. Follow the Ridge Trail down to Redwood Creek and either bushwhack and cross the creek (like I did), or walk a little farther to an official trailhead and follow the paved road back to the Redwood Creek Trailhead. The map attached will likely be helpful in understanding what's going on here.
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